Abstract
The Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) is the mainland United States branch of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji, a branch of Buddhism that is very popular in Japan. The San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin is one of the largest churches, with a large and thriving membership. There are many groups and individuals who support the sangha and the surrounding non-Buddhist community by volunteering their time at the Church. The work of the lay membership is particularly critical because the BCA clergy tend to relocate at different junctures in their careers, while the membership at temples can be multi-generational. Through participant-observation, ethnographic interviews, and network mapping this thesis will highlight the importance of the work of the lay community and the overlapping micro-social networks that make up the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin.