ABOUT OUR CHURCH
Established in 1927, Walnut Grove Buddhist Church is located in the heart of the Sacramento River Delta in Northern California. We are a part of the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) network, with 60 temples and associations spread across the nation, primarily on the West Coast. Our temple is dedicated to the practice of Jodo Shinshu, a form of Pure Land Buddhism focused on Amida Buddha, which is part of the Mahāyāna Buddhism tradition practiced in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and the United States.
OUR VISION
We strive to cultivate a welcoming and inclusive spiritual community that embraces the teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. We strive to provide a sanctuary for all individuals seeking peace, solace, and enlightenment, and to foster a sense of interconnectedness and compassion among all beings.
JODO SHINSHU PRACTICE
We are dedicated to practicing Jodo Shinshu, a form of Pure Land Buddhism that emphasizes the role of Amida Buddha in guiding all beings to enlightenment. Our temple offers opportunities for meditation, sutra chanting, Dharma talks, and community gatherings to deepen our understanding of Jodo Shinshu and its profound teachings of gratitude, humility, and self-reflection.
OUR COMMUNITY
Our community is a diverse, inclusive, and supportive network of individuals and families who come together to celebrate and honor the teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging, understanding, and harmony within our sangha, and to extending our compassion and care to the wider community.
OUR MINISTER
REVEREND CANDICE SHIBATA
Rev. Candice Shibata grew up in Stockton and attended the Buddhist Church of Stockton as a youth and young adult. She began her collegiate studies at San Joaquin Delta College and later transferred to California State University, Sacramento, where she majored in psychology. After graduation, she was a case manager for children with special needs. In 2009, she obtained her first Master of Arts degree in counseling psychology from the University of San Francisco. Following graduate school, she interned as a therapist at two elementary schools from 2009-2010.
In September 2012, she received Tokudo ordination in Kyoto and served as the minister’s assistant in Stockton. She graduated with a master’s degree in Buddhist studies from the Institute of Buddhist Studies and Graduate Theological Union in May 2015. One month later, she returned to Japan to complete her Kyoshi certification.
In addition to Walnut Grove, Rev. Shibata’s ministerial assignments include the Buddhist Church of Florin and the Buddhist Church of Stockton.
Reverend Candice Shibata
REVEREND SHIBATA KEYNOTE
Our Sensei delivers the Keynote Address to the Center for Buddhist Education's Women of BCA Seminar on September 28, 2024.
Runtime: 32 minutes