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Founder of Koyasan Daishi Mission 1909 - 1921		History of Los Angeles Koyasan Betsuin The Koyasan Buddhist Temple, formerly known as “Daishi Kyokai” was founded in the Fall of 1912 by Reverend Shutai Aoyama. It was originally located near Elysian Park in Los Angeles. In 1914, the Koyasan Daishi Kyokai was moved to Commercial Street and then in 1920 to Central Avenue near the present site of the Japanese American National Museum in downtown Los Angeles. In 1934, it was elevated to the status of “Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin.” In 1931, the Koyasan Boy Scout Troop 379 (79) was organized for the Japanese American youth (Nisei). In 1940, just before the outbreak of World War II, the present Temple building was constructed on East First Street in the area known as “Little Tokyo” under the direction of Bishop Seytsu Takahashi. In the Fall of 2006, an unveiling ceremony of a brass bust sculpture of Reverend Shutai Aoyama was held in the courtyard of the Koyasan Buddhist Temple. Since 1948, the Betsuin has served as the headquarters of Koyasan Shingon Mission in the United States.
1912	§ Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin, formerly “Daishi Kyokai” was founded by Reverend Shutai Aoyama, a native priest of Toyama-Ken, Japan.
1913	§ A small altar of the Daishi Kyokai was installed inside a rented house near Elysian Park in Los Angeles. § Portrait of “Kobo-Daishi” painted by Prince Shinnyo (son of Emperor Heizei) was received.
1914	§ Daishi Kyokai was moved and established on Commercial Street in Los Angeles. § The Women’s Association (Fujin-Kai) was inaugurated. § Formation of Daishi-Ko gatherings was organized.
1920	§ An old building on Central Avenue, located near the present site of the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), was purchased and remodeled for the missionary.
1921	§ Reverend Hokai Takada succeeded Bishop Shutai Aoyama.
1923	§ Fujin-Kai launched a fundraising campaign for the relief victims of the Great Earthquake disaster.
1924	§ First Sunday school service was conducted by Reverend Ryohan Takagi. § Reverend Taido Kitagawa succeeded Reverend Hokai Takada.
1925	§ First series of cooking classes (Japanese and Western) was held.
1931	§ Koyasan Boy Scout Troop 79 (379) was organized with Reverend Taido Kitagawa serving as chaplain. § Reverend Seytsu Takahashi succeeded Reverend Taido Kitagawa.
1933	§ Lecture series on the life of Kobo-Daishi was conducted at monthly Fujin-Kai meetings. § Sunday school was re-vitalized with classes broken down by age groups. § Monthly “Henjo News” was published with the first article on “How Shingon Buddhism has come to us from our ancestors and what the teachings of this school are” .
1934	§ Memorial service commemorating 1,100th year of Kobo-Daishi’s eternal meditation was held.
1935	§ Koyasan Boy Scout Troop 379 attended the Jamboree to commemorate the 25th anniversary of American Boy Scouts in Washington D.C. and under the auspices of President Franklin Roosevelt. § Daishi Kyokai was elevated to the status of “Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin” and authorized by the Mount Koya Headquarters in Japan.
1936	§ Service in celebration of the promotion to “Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin” was held. § Fundraising for the construction of a new Temple was launched.
1939	§ Groundbreaking ceremony was held at the new location of the Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin in Japanese Town (Little Tokyo).
1940	§ Honzon enshrining ceremony and Goma service were conducted by Reverend Jisho Matsubashi, acting Chief Abbot of Koyasan, for the dedication of the new Temple. § The Koyasan Beikoku Betsuin constitution was adopted. § Koysan Beikoku Betsuin becomes a non-profit corporation under the State of California law.
1941	§ Many Temple officers were taken into custody after the declaration of war against Japan. § Management of the Temple was changed over to Reverend Ryosho Sogabe and appointed Nisei followers.
1942	§ The Temple was closed and entrusted under the care of Cadillatz Insurance Company because of forced evacuation of the Japanese by U.S. government. All Daishi members were incarcerated.
1945	§ Reverend Ryosho Sogabe returned to the Temple from Poston (Arizona) relocation center. § The Temple served as temporary shelter for returning members from the relocation centers.
1946	§ Reverend Seytsu Takahashi returned to the Temple from Crystal City (Texas) detention camp.
1947	§ 35th Anniversary of the Temple was celebrated.
1948	§ Young Buddhist Association (YBA) staged the first carnival in Little Tokyo under the guidance of Reverend Ryocho Matsuda. § YBA organized a talent show to raise funds for the “Anti-Tuberculosis Association”.
1951	§ Reverend Seytsu Takahashi was promoted to the rank of Gon-Daisojo (Vice Arch-Bishop). § Recruitment of graduates from the Koyasan University, Japan, to serve as ministers at the Temple begun with Reverend Seisho Yoshito Hakeda being the first.
1952	§ 40th Anniversary of the Temple was celebrated with Shomie-Ku service.
1953	§ A Japanese Language School was opened under the direction of Reverend Ryosho Sogabe.
1954	§ Harbor Koyasan Church, a new branch of the Temple, was completed. § Honzon enshrining ceremony was conducted by Bishop Iwo Iwamoto for the dedication of the Harbor Koyasan Church and the Japanese Language School. § First tour group led by Mr. Katsuichi Kazahaya and Reverend Ryosho Sogabe visited Japan to pay homage.
1955	§ First annual Koyasan Carnival was organized.
1959	§ First Goeika presentation was held.
1960	§ The “Light of Buddha”, a Buddhist Sunday School Service book, was published.