The Buddhist Temple of San Diego is celebrating its 100th anniversary, marking a century of faith and community with a message centered on compassion and peace.
The temple not far from downtown San Diego, has called its current location, home, at 2929 Market Street since 1930.
Its history stretches back even further, to May 1926, when it opened in a nearby temporary location.
Buddhist Temple of San DiegoBuddhist Temple of San Diego
This archival photo shows the first dedication ceremony in downtown San Diego with a children’s ochigo procession, May 26, 1926.
This year’s centennial represents generations of believers who have followed the teachings of the Buddha.
“Our hundredth anniversary isn’t just the recognition of a really old building,” the Rev. Sterling Davenport said. “One thing we really strive for is to dedicate ourselves to recognizing compassion, embodying compassion, and putting it into practice,” the temple’s resident minister said.
Compassion, peace, gratitude and truth are among the values practiced in Shin Buddhism, a tradition followed by everyday people rather than monks and nuns living in a monastery.
M.G. PerezM.G. Perez
The Bishop Rev. Marvin Harada gives Buddhist names to members during a Kieshiki Affirmation Ceremony, Sunday, September 20, 2026.
For some, that journey includes taking a Buddhist name.
A naming ceremony held as part of the temple’s centennial celebration, Sunday, allowed members to affirm their beliefs and commitment to the community.
“We were kind of affirming our journey to continue practicing Buddhism,” Genevieve Zzyzyx told NBC 7.
She and her 10-year-old daughter, Cassia, joined the ceremony.
M.G. PerezM.G. Perez
Genevieve Zzyzyx and her daughter, Cassia, 10, received their Buddhist names in an affirmation ceremony Sunday during the temple’s centennial celebration, September 20, 2026.
“My name means the ‘cloud that teaches’ to remind me that clouds are impermanent. That can teach us a lot about the nature of the world around us,” Genevieve said.
Cassia is a fifth grade student at Kimbrough Elementary School. She described her Buddhist name as “shadow of light.”
“(Buddhism) is more calming than other things. It is really helpful to realize an importance in life,” Cassia said.
The temple’s sacred space is designed to feel familiar and accessible so it is welcoming to more people used to a traditional church setting.
Dharma School classes for students in pre-K through 12th grade are offered on Sundays after the regular service.
As the Buddhist Temple of San Diego celebrates its first 100 years, Reverend Davenport said its members can make a difference through what they do in their own community.
“We can’t change the entire world, but we can change our little part of it and hope that spreads out a little bit farther,” he said.
This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC San Diego. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC San Diego journalist edited the article for publication.