Day 273: Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple, Seattle, Washington

📌APIA Every Day (273) - The Seattle Betsuin Buddhist Temple’s origins trace back to November 15, 1901, when a group of Japanese immigrants gathered for a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist service led by Rev. Kakuyro Nishijima. This congregation commissioned the construction of a temple building that was originally completed in 1908. After the passage of the Housing Act of 1937, however, the temple was torn down in 1939 to make way for Seattle’s first public housing project, Yesler Terrace. 

In response, the congregation commissioned Seattle architect Kichio Arai to design a new temple, which was completed in 1941. Located in Seattle's Chinatown and International District (CID), the building featured a traditional Japanese temple design with a gabled roof and upturned eaves, while utilizing local American building materials like brick. Just two months after the new temple’s dedication, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and the U.S. officially entered World War II. Soon after in April of 1942, under Executive Order 9066, Japanese Americans were forced out of Seattle into incarceration camps. During this period, the temple served as an office for the U.S. Maritime Commission. 

After the war ended in 1945, returning Japanese residents worshiped in temporary locations while the temple underwent renovations to add an auditorium. The following year in 1946, the temple was officially reopened. The congregation then expanded its community services, establishing a Day Nursery Program and a Boy Scout Troop—both of which continue today. In 1954, the Hongwanji Temple in Kyoto, Japan, elevated the Seattle temple to “Betsuin” status—a special title indicating its direct connection to Hongwanji. More additions to the temple were made later in 1963, namely the Shinran Shonin 700th Anniversary Memorial Hall, which included a chapel, columbarium, and classrooms. 

In 1976, the temple was designated a Seattle Landmark, and in 1986, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Seattle CID. These designations have helped preserve its historic and cultural significance. However, on December 31, 2023, an arson attack damaged much of the temple’s interior, destroying part of the historical archives—including documents from WWII incarceration camps. Despite this tragedy, the congregation remains active and is rebuilding, raising over $450,000 in donations for repairs. The temple is set to reopen in phases starting in 2025, ensuring its legacy endures for future generations.

Written by Avneet Dhaliwal

LEARN MORE:

HistoryLink: Seattle Buddhist Church is dedicated on October 4, 1941

Docomomo Wewa: Seattle Buddhist Temple

Seattle Times: Seattle Buddhist temple recovering physically, spiritually after fire

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