As the Buddhist community and supporters in Japantown celebrate its 90th Obon Festival, many are looking ahead to the future.The community is grappling with mix
As the Buddhist community and supporters in Japantown celebrate its 90th Obon Festival, many are looking ahead to the future. The community is grappling with mixed feelings of optimism and worry about what could happen to the temple’s legacy down the road.
It’s one of only two historic religious sites of worship left in downtown Salt Lake City that points to Japanese history. Now, with more talk of the proposed entertainment district, many are wondering how Japantown will move forward with potentially dramatically different surroundings. Troy Watanabe, a native Utahn of Japanese descent, is well versed in the history of his beloved Buddhist temple.
He showed off a miniature construction model of what the new entertainment center would look like and how it would look surrounding Japantown.
“They have said they are not going to move us out. No eminent domain, so that’s a wonderful thing,” said Watanabe. The Buddhist community had its first temple established across from the Japanese Church of Christ and later moved to its current location at 211 W. 100 South.
“The first members fundraised for this building while we were still in our old location. And they did a great job. We call it the second generations, the Nisei,” said Watanabe. When the Buddhist temple first opened in Japantown, there were approximately 300 members.
The congregation’s numbers have dwindled down to roughly 80 people attending services on a regular basis. However, temple leaders said there’s a growing interest coming from non-Japanese visitors seeking a religious awakening.
“This is a Japanese sect of Buddhism but is Buddhism. And I think people seeking the teachings of the Buddha have found this a convenient place and a welcoming, warm place to actually learn the teachings of the Buddha,” said Watanabe. In learning the teachings, there is an opportunity to get the message out about protecting the temple’s presence in downtown Salt Lake and Japantown.
“It’s a Japanese American culture and has a rich history here in this area that needs to be told, and hopefully we can keep those stories going from generation to generation. Even if, let’s say, 100 years from now they don’t look Japanese, at least the stories can still be told. That’s what I want. That’s my hope for the future,” said Watanabe.
A new fire started in American Fork Canyon, forcing the closure of Tibble Fork Reservoir and evacuations of the Timpooneke side of the canyon. Highland City FirA grass fire broke out Friday in Dimple Dell Regional Park, prompting the closure of a section of 1300 East as firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Sandy CiA crash at the intersection of Mountain View Corridor and Porter Rockwell Drive in Herriman forced road closures for several hours.
The Utah Department of TransCharlie Kirk's family released a statement after a five-day preliminary hearing concluded in Provo, Utah. The Kirk family said the hearing's conclusion "marks aThe upper and lower Colorado River basin states are working to make a plan for the future of Lake Powell amid critically low water levels. Without consensus, th
Please follow us on Google to support usUnited States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Grass fires spark along I-80 in Salt Lake CountyTwo grass fires have ignited along I-80 in Salt Lake County, burning near 5600 West and 7200 West.
Read more »
Salt Lake, Unified fire departments fighting 5-acre grass fire near 7200 West on I-80A grass fire ignited near 7200 West on eastbound I-80.The Salt Lake City Fire Department said that they, along with Unified Fire Authority, worked to contain th
Read more »
Adults finding friendship and support through Salt Lake's Norkova community spaceMaking friends as an adult isn't always, and for many people, finding community can be even harder, but members at Norkova, a Salt Lake community space, say they've found it.
Read more »
1 injured after fire breaks out at Salt Lake City recycling plantOne person was injured after a large fire broke out at a recycling facility in Salt Lake City's west side on Thursday.
Read more »