Reverend Ronald Ken Kobata
Reverend Kobata was the guest speaker – Urabon / Kangi-e / Obon Service & Hatsubon Service – July 11, 2021 10am
11am – Seminar following the service with Reverend Kobata
Shaku KenGu
Born in Ogden, UT (Raised in San Francisco, CA)
Graduated: University of California-Berkeley B.S. Religious Studies
Institute of Buddhist Studies M.A. Buddhist Studies
Tokudo (Ordination) 3/18/1974
Kyoshi (Teaching Certification) 3/30/1974
Kaikyoshi (Overseas Ministry Certification) 5/01/1975
Ministerial Assignments:
Buddhist Churches of America
White River Buddhist Temple 7/1975 – 10/1979
Tacoma Buddhist Church (Supervisor) 10/1978 – 9/1979
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
Hawaii Betsuin (Honolulu) 11/1981 – 5/1983
Kahului Hongwanji (Maui) 6/1983 – 6/2001Makawao Hongwanji (Maui) 7/2001 – 1/2005
Buddhist Churches of America
Office of the Bishop (Executive Assistant) 2/2005 – 2/2009
Wheel of Dharma, English Editor 3/2005 – 12/2013
Buddhist Church of San Francisco 3/2009 – 8/31/2020
16th World Buddhist Women’s Convention 8/30-9/1/2019
Minister Advisor
Family: Spouse – Sayoko (Terada)
Daughters:
Tabitha – Kyoto, Japan Son-in-law: Kazuhide Hirokawa;
Grandson: Hideya Stephen
Mindy – Vancouver, WA
Trina – Portland, OR Son-in-law Chris Wong;
Granddaughter: Leila, Grandson: Brennan Wong
CommunityJapanese American Religious Federation – past president
San Francisco Interfaith Council – past board member
Japanese Community Youth Council – founding member
Kimochi Inc. – founding member
Maui County Police Department – volunteer chaplain
Maui Memorial Hospital – chaplain, Ethics Committee
Hospice Maui – clergy resource
(FEMA) Disaster Medical Assistance Team – Hawaii 1
Japanese Community Cultural Center of Northern California
Takeo & Kay Community Service Award, 2019
National Japanese American Historical Society
Lifetime Service Award
4/25-5/5, 2013 – Jewish Community Relations Council – Community Leaders
Israel Study Tour
6/1-5/2015 Intl. Western Dharma Teachers Conf-Omega Center, New York
6/22-28, 2015 US Council of Bishops, Buddhist – Christian Dialogue, Vatican
Audience with Pope Francis
3/29-4/1, 2019 Tsuru For Solidarity – Crystal City, DOJ Camp pilgrimage
TX, Dilley TX protest @ immigrant family detention center
11/1-11/3, 2019 Tsuru For Solidarity – Crystal City, DOJ Camp Memorial Service
9/ 17 / 2020 Calvary Presbyterian Interfaith panel
3/20/2021 Chaminade Univ. / Hawaii BDK Rev. Yoshiaki Fujitani Interfaith
5/28-29/2021 Enso: The Story Circle of the Japanese Diaspora