Buddhist Church of Santa Barbara

Originally located at 131 East Canon Perdido Street, the Buddhist Church of Santa Barbara was founded in 1922 by Japanese immigrants to Santa Barbara. They had the wish that the teachings of the Buddha should thrive in this country, so that the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha would continue to illuminate the lives of future generations. As the membership grew, the current building at 1015 East Montecito Street was constructed and dedicated for Buddhist practice and mindfulness in 1966.

The Buddhist Church of Santa Barbara belongs to the Buddhist Churches of America and the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism. With roots in the Pure Land Buddhist tradition, we share a common spiritual heritage with many Buddhist communities active today in Japan, China, Korea, and Vietnam, as well as here in the United States. We look to the eminent 12th century Japanese Buddhist priest Shinran as the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. He taught that by listening to the words of the Buddha with an open heart, our path is illuminated by the wisdom and compassion of awakening.