Seattle Koyasan Buddhist Temple
1518 S. Washington St.
Seattle, 98144
Telephone: (206) 325-8811
Website: http://www.seattlekoyasan.com
Description of Organization
Shingon Buddhism teaches that enlightenment is attainable “in this very body,” and that the path to it lies in “jiri rita” – seeking awakening for the benefit of all beings, and seeing the growth of self and service to others as inseparable. We work to realize our bodhisattva goals through mantra, mudra, visualization, and ritual—tools for awakening to our inherent unity with Dainichi Nyorai, and with the universe itself. Seattle Koyasan carries this work forward in a city which holds immense wealth and power alongside people suffering and sleeping on the streets. Their temple stands in a historical Japanese cultural district, near the epicenter of Seattle’s fentanyl crisis, as a refuge and a dojo: a place for all to remember their Buddha nature and train in compassion, wisdom, and service.
Grant(s) Awarded
In 2026, a grant of $4,800 was awarded to support Lighting the Gate, a video series introducing Shingon Buddhism—Japan’s ritual-centered Vajrayana tradition—to English-speaking audiences. With few accessible resources currently available for those who don’t speak Japanese, this series offers a rare and welcoming introduction. Filmed at their Seattle temple and guided by ordained clergy, each episode presents key teachings and practices online, creating a visually rich path for seekers unable to access temples or traditional instruction.