The Buddhist Church of Sacramento was vandalized with white nationalist graffiti in the early hours of 20 February, an incident that community leaders say highlights the ongoing threat of anti-Asian hate in the United States. The church is a member of the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA), which traces its lineage through the Jodo Shinshu, or Shin, Buddhist tradition of Japan founded by Shinran Shonin in the 13th century.
According to the temple, graffiti was spray-painted on the exterior wall facing Riverside Boulevard and on the surrounding ground shortly after midnight. The vandalism occurred just one day after 19 February, which marks the annual Japanese American Day of Remembrance—commemorating the signing of Executive Order 9066 in 1942. The order led to the forced incarceration of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans living on the West Coast during World War II.
Local public radio station CapRadio reported that the graffiti included the number “88,” a known white supremacist symbol referencing the eighth letter of the alphabet twice. Another marking likely referred to the name of a white nationalist group.
Buddhist Church of Sacramento member George Warren shared photos of the vandalism online after seeing the damage on 22 February. By the time he arrived, the original graffiti had already been partially painted over by an unidentified individual or group.
“I saw this mess at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento Saturday morning when I arrived early to work on a project there,” Warren explained. “The original white supremacist language had already been painted over in black by a second person or group that was offended by it—and they added messages of support on the sidewalk.” (The Rafu Shimpo)
Warren said he alerted temple leadership, who had already filed a police report. Reflecting on the response of the congregation, he noted that many members appeared calm in the face of the incident, pointing to the historical experiences of Japanese Americans during World War II.
“Japanese Americans don’t really ‘do’ outrage,” Warren noted, adding that families such as those of his wife, former news anchor Sharon Ito, had spent years in wartime incarceration camps. “Their families lost everything they’d worked so hard to build. The Buddhist churches were their social support system when they returned home and struggled to get back on their feet.” (The Rafu Shimpo)
In a 26 February statement, the Buddhist Church of Sacramento confirmed the vandalism and described the strong response from the local community.
“By 7:30 a.m., a Sacramento subreddit post had appeared, prompting an outpouring of support from individuals and community organizations throughout Sacramento,” the temple said. (The Rafu Shimpo)
Later that evening, concerned citizens attempted to cover the original graffiti with black spray paint. Coincidentally, the temple had already scheduled its monthly maintenance and clean-up day for 21 February.
“Saturday was our temple’s monthly maintenance and clean-up day, so a team of volunteers was already scheduled,” the statement noted. “The crew attempted to clean the walls, but the black spray paint could not be removed.” (The Rafu Shimpo)
By the following Tuesday, members of the sangha had covered the vandalism, with plans to repaint the walls once warmer weather arrives.
Temple leaders expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by the wider community. The church specifically thanked two nearby synagogues—Congregation Beth Shalom and Congregation B’nai Israel—which had also experienced acts of hate in recent years.
“The temple is deeply moved by the outpouring of support from the Sacramento community,” the statement said. “One never fully realizes the strength of community until a time of need.” (The Rafu Shimpo)
Rev. Yuki Sugahara, the temple’s minister, addressed the incident in a video message to the community. “When I first heard that our temple wall had been vandalized, my heart ached,” Sugahara said. “But in the days that followed, something else became clear. Through phone calls, messages, online comments, donations, and offers of support, we were reminded just how deeply this community cares,” he continued. “What was meant to divide instead revealed connection.” (The Rafu Shimpo)
Sugahara also pointed to a Buddhist teaching about the consequences of human actions. “If you answer hate with hate, the world fills with hate,” he said. “But if we respond with peace, peace grows.” (The Rafu Shimpo)
Public officials also condemned the vandalism. Democrat Representative for Sacramento Doris Matsui described the act as especially troubling given its timing. “Japanese American Day of Remembrance . . . is when our community reflects on the damage caused by fear and racism,” Matsui said. “To see this hate surface on that day, in a beloved community space, is absolutely reprehensible.” (The Rafu Shimpo)
Community organizations echoed these concerns. The Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce called the vandalism “a deeply troubling act that seeks to reopen historical wounds within our community” and urged accountability for those responsible.
Stop AAPI Hate also emphasized the broader significance of the attack. “On a day that was meant to honor their bravery and resilience, this Japanese American community was targeted with a racist attack that threatens their safety and sense of belonging in this country,” the organization said. (The Rafu Shimpo)
Founded more than a century ago, the Buddhist Church of Sacramento has long served as a spiritual and cultural center for Japanese Americans in Northern California. Despite the incident, temple leaders emphasized their commitment to compassion and resilience.
“We are moving forward,” the church said. (The Rafu Shimpo)
See more
Sacramento Buddhist Church Defaced by White Nationalist Graffiti (The Rafu Shimpo)
Buddhist Church of Sacramento vandalized with white nationalist symbols (Nichi Bei News)
Buddhist Church of Sacramento
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