Join us for food, tradition, cultural activities, games, and live entertainment all weekend long!

April - Hanamatsuri (Flower Festival) celebrates the birth of Siddhārtha Gautama, who became Śākyamuni, the historical Buddha. We adorn the pavilion (hanamido) that shelters the baby Buddha statue with flowers and offer the statue sweet tea representing the gentle rain falling in Lumbini Garden on the day of Siddhārtha's birth.

July - Obon (Gathering of Joy or "Kangi-e") is a day to remember the deceased, who made it possible for us to exist and to encounter the Dharma. Shin Buddhists partake in outdoor folk dancing (bon odori) in gratitude to those who have gone before us.

FUN, FOOD, and FRIENDSHIP!

The Adult Buddhist Association (ABA) at Orange County Buddhist Church promotes the welfare of the temple and its activities that include Hanamatsuri and Obon Festivals, the Gotan-e and Fall Ohigan lunches, fundraising events, religious and social events, and travels. We embrace the Buddha, listen to the Dharma, and serve the Sangha while building fun, lasting relationships.

The Orange County Buddhist Women’s Association (BWA) strives to promote a deeper understanding of the Buddha Dharma through the spirit of cooperation and fellowship. Although we remain chartered as a women's organization and continue to honor the important role of women in Shin Buddhism, our membership is gender neutral—those of any gender identity can join. We support OCBC members, youth groups, festivals, and other volunteer efforts, other BWA organizations outside of OCBC, and the Buddhist Churches of America. We also take time to have fun with friends at luncheons, tea parties, Bingo, bunco, dinners, and more.

OCBC offers members’ children an opportunity to interact socially through various activities. Whether it’s an arts and craft project for the Dharma Wheel club or visiting other temples as a Sangha Teen or Jr. YBA (Young Buddhists Association) member. The kids make lifelong friends as they together progress through the clubs.

• Dharma Wheel Club - preschool - 5th grade

• Sangha Teens - 6th -8th grade

• Jr. YBA - high school

Daion Taiko is one of the oldest Japanese-American Buddhist Taiko groups in the United States. The group was formed in 1978 at OCBC as an alternative form of studying and teaching the principles of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. "Daion" in Japanese means "Great Sound of Enlightenment" Today, the 40 member group ranges in age from 10 to adult and has become a family affair. Daion Taiko is proud that many of its songs have been written by group members, blending traditional Japanese rhythms with contemporary western music to form our unique sound.

OCBC Sports teaches sportsmanship and skill development through basketball for children 5 years old through high school. Our sports families create lifelong relationships and support OCBC at games, festivals, and fundraising events. We welcome children and teens from the Sangha and OCBC affiliated organizations.

• Chibiko, for children 5 through 7 years old, emphasizes basketball fundamentals and runs from May through July.

• 2nd through 8th Graders form OCBC teams, practice, and play games in the South East Youth Organization (SEYO) league from December through February.

• 8th through 12th graders play in SEYO from March through May.

Girl Scouts at OCBC offer the full range of available ages. The campus provides a safe environment for the kids to have their crafts, events, and even sleepovers as they get a little older. Many OCBC troop scouts have earned their Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. More than just cookie and nut sales, they participate in OC Junior Jam, Robotics competitions, and many other service projects. Many of the girls go through the entire program from kindergarten to high school together, thus building lifetime friendships.

• Daisy Troop 2041

• Brownie Troop 916

• Junior Troop 855

• Cadette Troop 675

• Senior Ambassador Troop 881

OCBC’s Boy Scout programs offer all age levels of scouting. Scouting has been a part of OCBC for many decades. Troop 578 is recognized in Orange County as one of the most prolific troops in developing future leaders as Eagle Scouts. One of the many Cub Scout Pack activities is participating in the local and regional Robotics competition. Through the scouting program, many boys learn and implement leadership skills that will benefit them later in life.

• Cub Scout Pack 578

• Boy Scout Troop 578

Welcome to Pickleball!

Fun, social, and friendly. The rules are simple, and the game is easy for beginners to learn but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players.

There’s a simple reason so many players get hooked on this sport – it’s easy to start but hard to stop. Good for all ages, it’s a great way to stay connected, get some exercise, and hang out with your friends!

OCBC Project Kokoro began 40 years ago as a volunteer and non-profit outreach program to care for the health and well-being of the seniors in our community. Our activities bridge the generation gap between Issei (first generation from Japan) and Gosei (fifth generation), providing opportunities to show respect for one another. We hope to enrich the lives of our seniors, their families, and our volunteers.

PK Crafts offers seniors a way to gather and express themselves while creating environmentally-friendly handcrafted products.

OCB Kendo. Kendo focuses on disciplining one’s character through the application of the katana (Japanese sword) through proper use of footwork, strikes with the shinai (bamboo sword), and outward projection of one’s spirit. Interested parties are highly encouraged to watch a full practice session and will be given information about the class prior to enrollment.

Visit ocbkendo.com to learn more.

Team1 Judo. Judo is many things to different people. It is a grappling-based martial art, a sport, a discipline, a social activity, a way of life, and a fun time.

Visit team1judo.com to learn more.

Supported by the Buddhist Education Center, our Book Club welcomes anyone interested in reading and discussing non-fictional and fictional books about Buddhist history, perspectives on Buddhist principles, or stories with Buddhist themes. We meet on the second Tuesday of each month on Zoom.

LEARN JAPANESE WITH US!

Orange County Japanese School (OCJS) is one of the oldest and largest Japanese language schools in Orange County. We have weekly Saturday sessions to learn and experience the Japanese language and culture.

OCJS offers K -12th graders the chance to learn Japanese as a second language. Adult classes develop the ability to carry on brief conversations with instruction on cultural awareness, proper greetings, social etiquette, and idioms.

Annual Events:

• Undokai (Sports day)

• Class field trips for 6th, 9th, and 12th grades.

• Cultural Events (music, dance, Children's day)

• Kakizome (First calligraphy writing of the year)

Ikebana is the Japanese art of arranging flowers, branches, leaves, stems, and other natural elements. Ikebana aims to bring out the inner qualities of flowers and other live materials with asymmetry and the use of negative space. Beginners are taught basic technical skills—cutting, spacing, and preserving live materials—and etiquette.

Kimekomi is an art technique where a pattern is drawn, then cut into a surface, such as softwood or foam. Fabric is then placed over the pattern and tucked into the cuts for a beautiful effect. Kimekomi was developed in the 18th century in Japan as a doll-making technique.