History
The original Young Buddhist Association was called Bukkyo Seinenkai and were the young men who founded our temple. As the children of the Issei grew older, in May 1922, the Lotus Young Buddhist Association (YBA) was formed.
In 1937, the Seinenkai (YBA) headed by a centralized cabinet directed the activities and organization of several subgroups. During this year, the “Bussei” was published, an oratorical contest in both English and Japanese was held, the Mother’s Day Tea was instituted, various sports teams were sponsored and the Lotus entertainment became an annual event.
In April 1941, the Second National YBA convention was held in Seattle utilizing the unfinished temple at 1427 Main Street, with 700 delegates in attendance. Following World War II, the Lotus Seinenkai was reactivated in 1945 with only four members but quickly grew into many subgroups.
Through the years, the Lotus YBA groups merged and evolved as new subgroups formed and other dissolved. As the membership grew, the groups were subdivided by age and interest. In the last several years, YBA membership has reflected societal changes in life style and family planning and is now a smaller but active group.
The Seattle Betsuin Jr. YBA is a youth organization designed for middle school and high school students who are interested in learning about Buddhism, building community, and developing leadership skills.
Rooted in Buddhist values such as compassion, mindfulness, and gratitude, Jr. YBA provides a space for young people to explore how these teachings can be applied in everyday life. Members participate in a variety of activities, including retreats, conferences, community service projects, and temple events that encourage both personal & spiritual growth.
In addition to learning and service, Jr. YBA also places an emphasis on connection and fun. Social events such as overnight retreats, conferences with other temples (locally and across the west coast) and food fundraisers give members the opportunity to bond and enjoy shared experiences.
Jr. YBA offers a welcoming and supportive environment while forming meaningful friendships and becoming active members of the larger Betsuin community.