About Ekoji In Buddhism, it is said that there are more than 84, 000 different paths to Enlightenment. Amongst these paths, Ekoji shares the Pure Land Buddhist teachings of Shinran Shonin, a 12th century Japanese Buddhist monk whose path is based on the Nembutsu Teaching of Amida Buddha (the Buddha of Infinite Light and Life ). The Nembutsu Path is to become aware of the ignorant self and to rely upon the Infinite Wisdom and Compassion of Amida Buddha, which is expressed in sincere gratitude through the recitation of the Nembutsu, Namu Amida Butsu. The Ekoji Buddhist Temple was founded in 1981 by Rev, Kenryu T. Tsuji and philanthropist Rev. Dr. Yehan Numata. The name Ekoji was chosen by the late Reverend Numata and means The Temple of the Gift of Light. Ekoji Buddhist Temple is a member of the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA ). In addition to overseeing temples throughout the U.S., the BCA administers the Buddhist Award program for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Campfire Girls and is the only authorized organization to place Buddhist ministers as military chaplains. The BCA, in turn, is the U.S. representative of the Jodo Shinshu HongwanjiHa, located in Kyoto, Japan. Hongwanji is the headquarters of Jodo Shinshu, the largest of the Buddhist sects in Japan. The literal translation of Jodo Shinshu is the True Pure Land Sect. Ekoji Vision Our vision is for our temple to house a warm and supportive sangha (community ), to minister support for the practice of Shin Buddhism, and act as a source of education and contemplation in Buddhism for people throughout the national capital area. 2010 Buddhist Churches of America (BCA ) Theme: May Peace and Tranquility Prevail Throughout the World