Material Type

Recording

Date Range

26 April 2009

Creator

K2 Communications

Physical Description

1 DVD 1 hour 35 minutes

Physical Condition

Excellent

History Biographical

"By the 1990's it was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain membership in the [Honpa Buddhist] temple ... In 2003 the President's report to the AGM [annual general meeting] included the following: 'The combination of declining membership in southern Alberta requires that the southern Alberta Sangha must grow to continue to support the existing membership. It is my view that this can only happen if there is a vibrant Sangha that will accept anyone adhering to the purpose and affiliation of the Society'. Thus will only happen if the Sangha has a solid base in a single building and a congregation that welcomes all new members according to the Eightfold Path and encourages them to learn about Buddhism. Accomplishing this will require profound changes, including the merger of the Lethbridge and Honpa Buddhist Temples.' In May 2004, with the support of the membership, David Major wrote a letter to the Lethbridge Buddhist Association president Dr. Akira Ichikawa, proposing that the two temples strike a steering committee to discuss the challenges and solutions of amalgamating our memberships. This proposal was carried forward to the Buddhist Association of Alberta which struck a Temple Steering Committee with the idea of including Raymond, Taber and Coaldale in the discussion of amalgamation. The BFA moved slowly toward resolving this issue culminating in a 'town hall' meeting on November 26.2005 at which a recommendation to send a secret ballot to every member of every temple asking if he / she felt that amalgamation should take place. This referendum took place in early 2006 and support at each temple was in excess of 80%. Eventually, the inaugural meeting of the Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta (BTSA) took place in December 2006." [Source: "Lethbridge Honpa Buddhist Church Closing Service September 21, 2008", by David Major]

Language

English

Japanese

Acquisition Source

Galt Museum and Archives 910 4 Avenue South Lethbridge, Alberta T1J )p6

Custodial History

The Galt Museum and Archives hired Morton Molyneux of K2 Communications to film the dedication service.

Scope and Content

Buddhist Temple of Southern Alberta dedication service.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20111016000

Collection

Archive

Less detail