1947: Huron Street
In 1947, Toronto Buddhist Church purchased its first home on Huron Street.
Safe, warm and happy. Our first home at 137 Huron St. provided a place to nurture and share the religious aspects of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, and accommodate our growing social activities. Active fundraising enabled the Toronto Young Buddhist Society to purchase this residence.
1955: Bathurst Street
In 1955, we needed a place to grow. As our membership increased along with temple activities, the original building on Huron St. no longer served our needs. We needed more space in a commercial area so property was purchased and a church built at 918 Bathurst Street for $63,000.
2005: 1011 Sheppard Avenue West (Our Current Location)
In 2005, we needed to address the aging building and parking nightmares on Bathurst St. so Toronto Buddhist Church purchased property and built a new Temple, close to the Sheppard Avenue West TTC subway station and near Yorkdale Shopping Centre. The building is stylish with large rooms for classes, meetings and workshops. We have our own library, meditation room and commercial kitchen to accommodate many social functions. We also have plenty of room for parking.
Our Sangha (community) includes 300 members, along with many other people who participate in various activities around the Temple.
We hold weekly services on Sunday morning at 11:00 am, as well as weddings, funerals and memorial services.
We welcome anyone who is interested in following the teachings of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism – it doesn’t matter what your age, race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
Come visit our Temple and see if this is the right place for you!
The Toronto Buddhist Church extends its reach beyond its Toronto location with the ownership of Camp Lumbini, a three-cabin retreat nestled in Wasaga Beach. The history of Camp Lumbini traces back to 1958 when Sam Baba and his wife, Hisa, discovered a one-acre lot nearby their own cottage. With a vision for a youth camp for the Temple, the property’s acquisition was made possible through the collective effort of three temple organizations: Sangha, Dana, and Fujinkai. By 1964, the main building of Camp Lumbini was completed, becoming a hub for various youth programs such as Dharma lessons, swimming, and cookouts, offering spiritual enrichment and recreation for the community.
Over the years, the cottages at Camp Lumbini have become a cherished retreat for church members seeking a quiet space away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Today, the cottages remain available for rental to temple members, and Camp Lumbini continues to uphold its tradition of youth development, offering a week-long summer camp tailored for children aged 8 to 15, ensuring that the spirit of community and enrichment endures through generations.
