About MBT

Current Resident Minister

MBT welcomes its new resident minister, Rev. Aki Rogers. Rev. Aki grew up at Senshin Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles and at Orange County Buddhist Church. They earned a Master’s degree at Japan’s Ryukoku University in 2026 and a Master of Divinity at the Institute of Buddhist Studies (IBS) in Berkeley in 2021.

Their academic research includes a historical analysis of the Pure Land tradition, as well as exploring contemporary Buddhist concepts like “universality” and non-discrimination in the working of Amida Buddha’s Primal Vow.

Rev. Aki completed their ministerial training, receiving tokudo ordination in 2019, and kyoshi certification in 2024. Prior to that, they gained experience as a ministerial student in Kyoto at Chuo Bukkyo Gakuin and served as a Minister’s Assistant at the Berkeley Buddhist Temple while attending IBS.

They have been an active voice in the BCA community, leading educational discussions on inclusive Dharma practices, such as the Ichi-Mi seminars hosted by the Gardena Buddhist Church focused on the LGBTQ+ community.

They have participated in sharing the teachings of Jodo Shinshu at various temples in the US, Japan, and Canada.

Our Founding Minister

Our founder, Rev. Gyodo Kono, served our temple from 1944 until his death in 1975. Born on April 5, 1911, in Sakamachi, Hiroshima, he was the first of eight children of the Rev. and Mrs. Gyojo Kono. Young Rev. Kono received his degree in Shin Buddhism from the Ryukoku University in Japan, making him the 24th generation of ministers in his family.

Rev. Kono arrived in the United States on April 9, 1937. His first temple assignment was in Hanford, Calif. During WWII, he was sent to the Fresno Assembly Center in 1942 and then to Jerome and Rohwer, Arkansas Relocation Centers.

Upon his release from Rohwer in 1943, Rev. Kono moved to Chicago and founded the Midwest Buddhist Church (the original name for the Midwest Buddhist Temple) on July 10, 1944. Following the death of his father, he was asked to return to Japan to take over the Sairinji Temple, but chose instead to remain in Chicago and lead the Midwest Buddhist Temple. His longevity at one location is a testimonial in the ministerial field.

On Sept. 30, 1945, Rev. Kono married Grace Fumiko Nishi of Hanford, Calif., and their son, Ronald Tets Kono was born in Chicago in January 1953.

In 1964, Rev. Kono spearheaded the campaign to build our new temple. Seven years later, on Nov. 7, 1971, he proudly officiated the dedication ceremony of our Temple of Enlightenment. Rev. Kono personally selected the beautiful naijin (altar) that was subsequently enshrined on Nov. 26, 1972.

We lost our compassionate teacher, leader and friend on Dec. 30, 1975.

Recently Retired

Rev. Ron Miyamura retired in November 2023 after 50 years of ministerial service to the Buddhist Churches of America (BCA), the BCA Eastern District Temples and to the Midwest Buddhist Temple. Rev. Miyamura served as the minister of the Midwest Buddhist Temple from 1973-1981 and 2010-2023. We are grateful for his dedication to our temple and wish him well in his retirement.