Buddhist Churches of America Bookstore

Specialties

The BCA Bookstore is dedicated to sharing the Buddha-​Dharma and raising the awareness of Jodo Shinshu (Japanese Pure Land) Buddhism throughout the world.

We offer a wide variety of books in Pure Land, Zen, Theravada, Tibetan, and other Buddhist traditions. Topics range from introductions for beginners to translations of sutras for scholars. We also carry quality incense from Japan, home altars, jewelry, and gift items.

History

Established in 1959.

The Buddhist Bookstore was officially registered with the State Board of Equalization in October 1959. Buddhist books in English were primarily sold to members of the BCA. Prior to this date, the Sunday School Materials Department under Rev. K. Fujinaga sold books and educational materials for children. With the organization of the Bureau of Buddhist Education in 1959, under Rev. Takashi Tsuji, the Sales Department was initiated. There was no capital available to finance this department, but fortunately there was a large stock of «Buddhism and Jodo Shinshu» which had not moved for many years. A massive campaign was launched to sell these books in order to accumulate a certain amount of capital. The books sold well, and the initial capital was obtained to stock other titles.

The Sales Department was still a small operation with the sales handled mostly through mail orders and Rev. Tsuji displaying the materials during his district tours. Total gross sales