Our guides

Ronald Y Nakasone

Ronald Y. Nakasone, born and raised in Hawai‘i, studied at University of Hawai‘i, Ryūkoku University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Harvard University. He is a member of the Core Doctoral Faculty at the Graduate Theological Union (GTU) in Berkeley, and a long-time faculty at the Stanford University Center for Geriatric Education (1990-2012). He has authored more than 150 scholarly publications on Buddhist doctrine, ethics, and aesthetics, Aging and Spirituality, and Ryūkyūan (Okinawan) Studies. Students and colleagues contributed essays to Memory and Imagination, Essays and Explorations in Buddhist Thought and Culture (Nagata, 2010), a festschrift that commemorated his completion of one life cycle (60 years) according to the Chinese zodiac.

He is an ordained Jōdo Shinshū (Pure Land) priest and a skilled sho- (calligrapher) artist. His most recent solo exhibits are: Museo de Arte Contemporaneo Museum, Santiago, Chile, 2017; Hammerfrair Gallery, Healdsburg, California, 2019; Dharma Realm Buddhist University, Ukiah, California, 2020; Fukunishi Honten, Aizuwakamatsu, Japan, 2020. A short video, “A Calligrapher’s Pilgrimage” can be seen at the following site: vimeo.com/106988457.

His views on aging and spirituality are articulated in an “Spiritual Genealogy Inspires Gratitude,” Aging Horizons, September/October; it can be accessed at http://aginghorizons.com/2013/09/interview-spiritual-genealogy-inspires-gratitude/. The following link opens a 11 September 2016 Interview on Mosaic: https://www.facebook.com/MosaicKPIX/?fref=ts

Supervising Minister

Rev. Kobata is the Resident Minister of BCSF and since March 2009 our supervising minister, bringing a wealth of dharma experience from his tenure as a temple minister at White River Buddhist Temple (WA), Hawaii Betsuin (Honolulu), Kahului Hongwanji (Maui) and Makawao Hongwanji (Maui). He is appreciated for his interest in and support of all the organizations and affiliates within BCSF, as well as, for his open-hearted engagement with the Interfaith Community. His current community involvements include: Japanese American Religious Federation (JARF Board Member) and Japanese Community Youth Council (JCYC Board Member).

Rev. Elaine Donlin

Elaine is an ordained priest and a BCSF Minister Assistant and leads the monthly Metta Gathering. She has been teaching the Essentials of Buddhism since 2008, serves as Buddhist Community Clergy for several SF Hospitals, and partners with the SF Zen Center to provide Meditation and Buddhism in the SF County Jails. She is a current Board member on the San Francisco Interfaith Council and is also a founding member of the BCSF LGBTQ+ group.

Julie Nakatani

Classes start in September and will be held on the second and fourth Monday of each month from 7:30 pm. Pre-registration is required and there is a yearly membership fee of $25 and $17 fee per session. For information leave a message for Julie Nakatani by calling (408) 255-1264 or send an email to djnakatani@yahoo.com.ut your business here.

Leigh Threlkel