Fresno Buddhist Temple
The Fresno Buddhist Temple (formerly known as the Betsuin Buddhist Temple and Mrauk Oo Dhamma) is a three-story Buddhist temple in Fresno, California, United States.
History[]
The temple was built by Japanese Issei to replace a wooden temple that burnt down in 1919,[1] the temple features gilded columns, marble stairs, detailed woodwork and a Spanish tile roof. The entire building was built by local people of Japanese ancestry.[1]
During World War II the building was closed due to the internment of people of Japanese ancestry. This included United States citizens. After re-opening, the building served as a hostel and an education center, before eventually reopening as a temple, again.
In the summer of 2011, the congregation placed the building and location up for sale for $1.1 million.[1][2]
It was purchased in 2018, and it became a Burmese Buddhist temple. The temple, now called the Mrauk Oo Dhamma, cost $750,000 for a group of Burmese-American physicians and their families to purchase.[3]
References[]
- ^ a b c Diana Marcum (2011). "Closure of historic temple in Fresno dismays Japanese American community". Religion. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 January 2012.
- ^ "Transitions". Preservation. National Trust for Historic Preservation. 64 (1): 9. 2012.
- ^ Daniel, Alice. "A Landmark Temple In Chinatown Finally Gets New Owners". KVPR. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
External links[]
Coordinates: 36°43′42″N 119°47′42″W / 36.728280°N 119.794967°W
- 20th-century Buddhist temples
- Buddhist temples in California
- Religious buildings and structures in Fresno, California
- Japanese-American culture in California
- Buddhist Churches of America