Ekoji follows the teachings of Buddha from the perspective of the works of Shinran Shonin. We are a sangha (fellowship) of people who, through the Dharma (teachings), seek to develop a community that provides friendship refuge and support.
Reverend Shindo Nishiyama – Part Time Minister- May 2026 to Present
Born in Fukuoka, Japan in 1962, Rev. Nishiyama lives with his wife, Suzie, in Oregon. He officially retired in August of 2025 but visits Ekoji bi-monthly to lead a Saturday Dharma Exchange and Sunday Service as a continuation of his extensive ministry. Rev. Nishiyama is a graduate of Ryukoku University and holds a BA degree in General Buddhism and Jodo Shin Studies. Additional experience includes:
- Waimea Hongwanji Mission – Resident Minister in charge of Koloa and Hanapepe Hongwanji Temples, 1997-1999
- Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Headquarters, Executive Secretary to the late Bishop Chikai Yosemori, July 2000-August 2005
- Honpa Hongwanji Hilo Betsuin – Rimban and Preschool Principal, May 2017 – Feb. 2021
- Jikoen Hongwanji Mission – Resident Minister, September 2005 – 2025
- In charge of Windward Buddhist Temple 2005 – 2008
- Jikoen Lumbini Preschool – Principal, September 2005 – August 2025
Reverend Kurt Rye – Supervising Minister 2022 – 2026
Rev. Kurt Rye was born in Anchorage, Alaska, but his early years were spent in the Washington, D.C. metro area. He moved to Washington state in high school and graduated with a B.A. in psychology from Evergreen State College in 1985. He started his career working with the chronically mentally ill population in Seattle. He then moved to Japan and for four years, taught English in Tokyo, where he was exposed to Buddhism. He attended the English Buddhist Academy in Tokyo and had the opportunity to take several courses on Japanese Buddhism at Taisho University.
Upon his return to Seattle, he became an active member of the Seattle Betsuin under the guidance of Rev. Don Castro. During this period, he managed a housing program for homeless clients with mental illness to help them become stable and move on to more permanent housing.
In the fall of 2003, he received his Tokudo ordination and started attending the Institute for Buddhist Studies (IBS) in January of 2004. He graduated in the fall of 2007, received his Kyoshi certification in December 2007, and his Kaikyoshi certification in April 2009. He joined the Fresno Betsuin as an associate minister in April 2008. In January 2013, he transferred to the Ekoji Temple. In September 2015, he became the resident minister at the Placer Buddhist Church which he served until December 2018.
PAST MINISTERS
Reverend Nari Hayashi – Resident Minister 2016 – 2022
Nari Hayashi was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Kyoto, Japan. He graduated from the Kansai Gaidai (foreign language) University majoring in international language communication in 2009. Reverend Hayashi attended the Buddhist seminary of Hongwanji for two years. He received his Tokudo ordination in 2013 and Kyoshi ordination in 2014.
He completed the orientation program for Japanese ministers at Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley, CA, known as IMOP (International Ministerial Orientation Program) in 2015. Upon completion of IMOP, in April 2016, he was assigned to Ekoji Buddhist Temple.
Reverend Kurt Rye – Resident Minister 2013 – 2015
Reverend Kaz Nakata – Resident Minister 2010 – 2013
Reverend Kaz Nagata received his Kyoshi ordination in 2001. Reverend Nagata was assigned to Ekoji in 2009. He has served at Sacramento and LA Hongwanji Temples. He is currently the resident minister at Fresno Buddhist Temple.
Reverend Shojo Honda – Minister 2000 – 2010
Reverend Shoji Honda received his ordination in 1952 and went on to receive his Kyoshi, Fukyoshi, and Hokubei kaikyoshi ordinations. He founded Ekoji Sangha in 1961 and served as our volunteer minister through 2010. He passed away in 2015.
Reverend Kenryu Tsuji – Founding Resident Minister 1981 – 1999
Reverend Tsuji is the founding minister of the Ekoji Buddhist Temple. He and Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata, a Japanese philanthropist, shared a vision of having a Shin Buddhist temple on the East Coast. The temple opened in 1981. Rev. Tsuji founded Canadian temples in Toronto, Hamilton, Ontario, and Montreal, Quebec. He was the first American Japanese Bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America(BCA) from 1968 to 1981. Although Rev. Tsuji passed in 2014, his legacy continues throughout BCA and Canada from his temple designs, prolific writings, and teachings.
ASSISTANT MINISTERS
Erick Ishii -Tokudo Minister and Certified Minister Assistant
Ken Nakamura -Certified Minister Assistant, Retired
Bob Shimokaji -Certified Minister Assistant
Rob Fike – Certified Minister Assistant
Truc Vo – Certified Minister Assistant
LAY MINISTER ASSISTANTS
Molly Kuramoto – Lay Leader
Seth Read – Lay Leader
Alexander Corbin – Lay Leader
Ed Sams – Service Chair Leader