History in Manitoba
Video produced for the 75+1 year history of the Manitoba Buddhist Temple.
In 1946, these Manitobans began to organize to build a church for moral, spiritual, social and cultural activities. Hideo Nishimura, a farm worker in Emerson, Manitoba, became the lay minister and later, after study in Japan, a full minister (Sensei) of the fledgling church. An altar arrived in 1951 and by 1952 the church was up and running with a language school, a Dharma School, and regular Sunday services. It survives today because of the selfless devotion of its members throughout its history.
The money, time, and energy devoted to this church cannot truly be comprehended by those of us who stand as beneficiaries of those past efforts. Nor can we underestimate the difficulties they endured, difficulties that included racial prejudice and faith prejudice. Our only recourse is to express our gratitude by continuing to make the teachings of the Buddha available to the Winnipeg community. We are especially grateful to those who have persisted in their Buddhist faith against all odds. It is one of the ironies of history that Buddhism is now one of the fastest growing religions in North America. As the Buddhist scriptures become more available in English it is clear that they offer a sound faith that benefits family and community stability.
40th anniversary of the Manitoba Buddhist Temple - November 16, 1986
The Future
The Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada, however, is presented with some interesting demographics. These loyal Canadians adopted the 'church' as understood in the Protestant traditions after WWII as a model for its spiritual community. Other Buddhist communities still offer the Oriental model and visiting them provides an altogether different experience. It will be interesting to watch the evolution of Canadian Western Buddhism. The future clearly lies with the use of the English language. Currently the chanting is offered in the liturgical language since we have not yet developed a good way to chant in English. All other elements of the services are offered in English. Two chants, the invocation and the Triple Treasure of Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, are done in Sanskrit, the language of the historical Shakyamuni Buddha.
As a 'church', it now is subject to all the challenges of churches. Challenges such as keeping young people involved, finding adequate materials on the faith in English, music and the all pervasive question of how to finance churches in Canada are held in common with the churches of other faiths.
There is also a 90% intermarriage rate in the Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Temples of Canada. This means that we enjoy the privilege of interfaith marriages, interracial families and families with more than one language. Our success with this rich heritage moves us to be actively involved in the interfaith movement and movements for racial harmony.
We are rapidly developing the skills of learning to live in an interfaith and interracial city, now communities like the Manitoba Buddhist Temple are taking the leadership in evolving strategies for interfaith/interracial families to live together in mutual respect and support. We maintain a deep respect for the Japanese roots of the tradition, but realize that the modern plant has grown to include all Canadians in a movement to develop a Western Canadian Buddhism.
You are invited to join us in this adventure.
Our Shrine
The shrine at the Manitoba Buddhist Temple was originally displayed at the Maple Ridge Buddhist Church at Haney, BC from 1933-1942. During those years, the community was home to a large, and vibrant Japanese-Canadian community.
During the war years of 1942-1950, the federal government enacted legislation which resulted in Japanese-Canadians being interned and their property confiscated. The temple was closed and the altar was disassembled for preservation and stored at Coquitlam, BC, by the British Columbia Security Commission.
Reverend Yutetsu Kawamura, the last Minister to serve the Maple Ridge Buddhist Church, took the image of the Amida Buddha with him for safe keeping to Raymond, Alberta.
In 1951, upon the reconstruction of the Manitoba Buddhist Church, Rev. Kawamura and a delegation of three men from Winnipeg; Mr. Terukichi Okabe, his son and Mr. Kyusuke Oike ventured to accept and return the dismantled shrine to Winnipeg.
In September of 1951, a ceremony was conducted for the enshrinement of the image of the Buddha in the presence of Reverend Kawamura, Reverend Nekota, Reverend Tsuji, Reverend Nishimura and acting Minister Miyazaki. The enshrinement was preceded by a Chigo procession which included the ministers, 35 children accompanied by their families and dressed in kimonos, parading through the streets near the temple.
The alter has been resting in Winnipeg for over 75 years and was most recently featured in the city's Doors Open tour and exhibition.
The Temple Bell
The temple's bell is located between the stage and the minister's office. It is used for the Kansho ritual (bell ringing to signal the beginning of service).
The history of the bell goes back to 1936, when it was installed at the Ocean Falls (BC) Buddhist Church after being donated by a number of its members, including Hideo Nishimura, who later became minister of the Manitoba Buddhist Church.
During the internment of Japanese-Canadians during the Second World War, the temple was closed.
In 1951, after being stored for several years, the bell was transported by the the British Columbia Security Commission to the newly-built Manitoba Buddhist Temple in Winnipeg, where it continues to ring prior to every service.
