Solidarity with Higashi Honganji
Above, Higashi Honganji, Los Angeles, California, Prior to the Attack.
As covered in the national press, on February 25 the Higashi Honganji Temple in Los Angeles was subject to vandalism and attempted arson. Outpourings of support have been one positive result of the incident
The Incident
Photograph Credit: Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times. Image subject to copyright. All rights reserved.
As described in a copyrighted article by staff writer Andrew J. Campa in The Los Angeles Times, “A 12-foot-high glass window was destroyed by a lime-sized rock; two 6-foot wooden lantern stands were burned, causing the electrical lamps above them to melt and fray; and two 30-pound metallic lanterns were ripped off their concrete bases.”
No one was injured in the attack. Rev. Mas Fujii, who was in the Temple at the time, heard the commotion and was able to extinguish small fires with a fire extinguisher.
The Times reported that the smashed window was now replaced by plywood. The incident is still under investigation.
Higashi Response
Bishop Noriaki Ito, head of all Higashi Temples in the United States, used the occasion to respond to the spiritual opportunity of the attack. In a formal statement reproduced below and posted on the Temple’s website, he notes that repairs are underway but that also “… we need to repair the damage to ourselves as well.” Poignantly he notes, “As a Buddhist Temple, we need to be part of the solution.” He quotes Shinran Shonin’s encouragement to realize or create “a society of friends.”
Support and San Diego Sangha
Earlier this week the Buddhist Temple of San Diego’s Board of Directors voted by email to send a check and letter to the Higashi Honganji. Board President LuAnn Lee noted that if individual Sangha Members wish to donate, one venue is a special “Support for Higashi Honganji Temple” GoFundMe page. At last check over $84,000 had been raised.
Kenji Sensei’s Dharma Message
Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi mentions the incident in his Sunday Dharma Talk of March 7, and asks all of us to take care during this time of increased Anti-Asian attacks.
More Follow Up
The Temple Board will discuss the incident further at its virtual Board Meeting later this week.
Official Statement by Bishop Noriako Ito, Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple
Please click on the image for direct access to the statement on the Higashi website.
Source: Andrew J. Campa, "Fire, vandalism rock Buddhist temple in Little Tokyo," The Los Angeles Times, Feb. 26, 2021.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-02-26/higashi-honganji-fire