Category: Misc.

Perry Street Fair on Sept 26, 2026!  

https://southperry.org/south-perry-street-fair/

Update from August 8, 2026

We have received so many messages concerning the fires in Spokane, asking if the Spokane Buddhist Temple is all right. The fires, which are still burning, are not occurring near the Temple, but it has affected many areas of the city and the county. Over 700 homes are believed to be lost. As far as we know, no Sangha members have lost their homes, but several are currently living with friends or relatives as their home is in the evacuation zone.

We partnered with the Mission Meadows Community Garden, Spokane United We Stand/Family Guide, Island Style Food & BBQ, and the Vietnamese Buddhist Community of Spokane to prepare some meals for the victims and first responders. All together, there were over 40 volunteers and 12 organizations that came together to prepare and hand out the meals on 8/7/26.

The City of Spokane has posted these opportunities to help:

As the Spokane community continues to face the devastating impacts of local wildfires, you can help your neighbors. We will continue to update this post with more opportunities to help!

The City of Spokane H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund is accepting donations to support individuals and families affected by the ongoing wildfires. Every dollar donated will go directly toward meeting the needs and supporting recovery efforts for those impacted. https://my.spokanecity.org/donate/

The Innovia Foundation is accepting donations to support nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community organizations working to meet the needs of those impacted by wildfires in our region. https://innovia.org/wildfire-response/

Second Harvest Inland Northwest will be accepting non-perishables today, Sunday, Aug. 2, from 2 – 5 p.m. at 1234 E Front Ave. They are also accepting donations tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 3, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Catholic Charities Eastern Washington has set up an emergency fund to help support individuals and families. Your donation will help our Emergency Response team provide essential items, housing, counseling, support, and short/long term assistance to those impacted by this devastating fire. https://give.cceasternwa.org/give/511873#!/donation/checkout

Red Cross Volunteering: https://volunteerconnection.redcross.org/?nd=intake_content&lagent=1&entry_point_type=global_entry_point&unit_id=146&entry_point_id=40&lagent=1

Red Cross Donations: https://www.redcross.org/donate/dr/washington-wildfires-2026.html

Teen and Kid Closet provides clothing for often-overlooked population, the children in need for free: https://www.teenkidcloset.org

Partners Inland Northwest provides food, clothing, diapers, and emergency assistance: https://partnersinw.org/

Additional resources

(Photo donated by a sangha family member)

Update August 8, 2026

We have received so many messages concerning the fires in Spokane, asking if the Spokane Buddhist Temple is all right. The fires, which are still burning, are not occurring near the Temple, but it has affected many areas of the city and the county. Over 700 homes are believed to be lost. As far as we know, no Sangha members have lost their homes, but several are currently living with friends or relatives as their home is in the evacuation zone.

We partnered with the Mission Meadows Community Garden, Spokane United We Stand/Family Guide, Island Style Food & BBQ, and the Vietnamese Buddhist Community of Spokane to prepare some meals for the victims and first responders. All together, there were over 40 volunteers and 12 organizations that came together to prepare and hand out the meals on 8/7/26.

  The City of Spokane has posted these opportunities to help: As the Spokane community continues to face the devastating impacts of local wildfires, you can help your neighbors. We will continue to update this post with more opportunities to help! The City of Spokane H.O.M.E. Starts Here Fund is accepting donations to support individuals and families affected by the ongoing wildfires. Every dollar donated will go directly toward meeting the needs and supporting recovery efforts for those impacted. https://my.spokanecity.org/donate/ The Innovia Foundation is accepting donations to support nonprofit organizations, businesses, and community organizations working to meet the needs of those impacted by wildfires in our region. https://innovia.org/wildfire-response/ Second Harvest Inland Northwest will be accepting non-perishables today, Sunday, Aug. 2, from 2 – 5 p.m. at 1234 E Front Ave. They are also accepting donations tomorrow, Monday, Aug. 3, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Catholic Charities Eastern Washington has set up an emergency fund to help support individuals and families. Your donation will help our Emergency Response team provide essential items, housing, counseling, support, and short/long term assistance to those impacted by this devastating fire. https://give.cceasternwa.org/give/511873#!/donation/checkout

Red Cross Volunteering: https://volunteerconnection.redcross.org/?nd=intake_content&lagent=1&entry_point_type=global_entry_point&unit_id=146&entry_point_id=40&lagent=1

Red Cross Donations: https://www.redcross.org/donate/dr/washington-wildfires-2026.html

Teen and Kid Closet provides clothing for often-overlooked population, the children in need for free: https://www.teenkidcloset.org

Partners Inland Northwest provides food, clothing, diapers, and emergency assistance: https://partnersinw.org/

Additional resources

(Photo donated by a sangha family member)

Updated August 20, 2026

Welcome Rev. Tadao Koyama!

Please join us as Rev Tadao Koyama will conduct a special workshop on Saturday August 22 at 4pm. Then on Sunday after service, a potluck lunch will be held so that the sangha can gather and get to know Rev. Koyama.

Rev. Tadao Koyama has been Tacoma Buddhist Temple’s officiating minister since August 1, 2020. A Westcoast native, was born and raised in Sacramento California to parents Ken Koyama and Stacie Hiramoto.​

Growing up in Sacramento, he attended Natomas Charter School performing and fine arts academy with an emphasis in acting. After graduating in 2007, he attended University of California Santa Cruz his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History with an emphasis in Japanese History.

After graduating from U.C. Santa Cruz, he worked for the California State Assembly for two and a half years as a field representative to former Assembly member Mariko Yamada. It was also during this time that he studied to become a minister under Rev. Yuki Sugahara at the Buddhist Church of Florin. Under the guidance of Rev. Sugahara, Tadao became an official minister’s assistant in 2013 and the following year Tadao received his Tokudo ordination in Kyoto, Japan.

When his time at the Assembly concluded, he began his education at the Institute of Buddhist Studies in Berkeley California for three years. After graduation, he spent two years in Japan studying first at Nishi Hongwanji’s seminary school, Chūōbukkyōgakuin (Chūbutsu) where he eventually received his Kyoshi, and the next year he studied for the year-long program at ritual and chanting school, Gonshikishidōsho.

Tadao is the first North American-born minister to receive the specialized chanting and ritual license from Nishi Hongwanji.