SACBC to Hold 54th Annual Japanese Bazaar

UNION CITY — Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church, 32975 Alvarado Niles Rd. in Union City, will hold its 54th annual Japanese Bazaar on Saturday, July 9, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, July 10, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The menu will include teri-burgers, teri-dogs, corn on the cob, shave ice, chicken teriyaki, gyoza, udon, sushi and manju.

The bazaar will also feature drumming by O-Nami Taiko, a kendo demonstration, Japanese dance, hula, an ikebana exhibit, a bonsai exhibit and demonstration, a Buddhism mini-lecture by Rev. Carol Himaka, a boutique and crafts, a bookstore and more.

Adults can play bingo while kids can lay Demon Smash, Koi Pond and Nickel Pitch.

For more information, call (510) 471-2581 or visit www.sacbc.org.

SACBC was established on May 26, 1961 and became independent from the Alameda Buddhist Temple on April 8, 1965. As a member of the Buddhist Churches of America, which has its headquarters in nearby San Francisco, SACBC is part of the Jodo Shinshu branch, also known as the Pure Land sect.

Services were held in homes, a grammar school and a hall in Fremont until the purchase of 3.5 acres in Union City on April 24, 1961. The temple was first built in the early 1960s and classrooms were soon constructed next to the Hondo in 1965. A shrine was donated by the Oxnard Buddhist Temple in March of 1967. In the 1970s, the minister’s residence and Sangha Hall were built.

Affiliated and associate organizations include: Japanese Language School (1964), Fujinkai/Buddhist Women’s Association (1965), Jr. YBA (1965), Dharma School (1965) Choir (1970), YABA (1994), Boy Scouts and O-Nami Taiko (1997).

In October 2002, the church celebrated 40 years in its current location in Union City. On Sept. 23, 2012, SACBC celebrated its 50th anniversary.

The public is welcome to attend weekly Dharma family services held in English on Sundays at 10 a.m. with Dharma School (children K-12) and Dharma Sharing (adult ciscussion) immediately following.

The church holds two fundraising events per year: Crab Feast in January and the Japanese Bazaar in July. This year’s Obon Festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m.