2025 FDSTL Conference

General Information  

Theme: Acceptance, Understanding and Respect  

Host: Southern District Dharma School Teacher’s League  

When: Saturday, April 26th 

Where: Gardena Buddhist Church  

1517 W. 166th Street  

Gardena, CA 90247  

Keynote 

Speaker: Rev. Amy Ko'e Umezu  

Rev. Ko’e received her Tokudo ordination in the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha  tradition in 2019 and her Kyoshi certification in 2022; She graduated from the  Institute of Buddhist Studies with a Masters of Arts in Buddhist Studies. Since  2020, she has been serving as a part-time assistant minister at the West Los  Angeles Buddhist Temple under Rev. Koho Takata.  

Registration 

In person attendee = $100.00 per person due by April 11th 

Late registration for In-Person attendee = $110.00 per person after April 11th 

Virtual attendee = $40.00 (Opening Service, Keynote message/Q&A and Virtual  Workshop)  

Individual Registration Form link: https://forms.gle/oERhMBre1Ct9TXx96 

Group Registration Form attached  to Registration Packet 

Make checks payable to: Southern District Dharma School Teachers League . 

Send registration and payment to:  

2025 FDSTL Conference  

c/o Gardena Buddhist Church  

1517 W. 166th Street  

Gardena, CA 90247  

Cancellation: Refunds after April 20th will be considered for extenuating circumstances  

Attire: Casual  

In-Person activities 

Saturday activities include all meals (morning refreshments, lunch and dinner),  Opening/Closing services, FDSTL general meeting and all workshops.

On Sunday all attendees are invited to join 9:30 am Sunday Service at Gardena  Buddhist Church  

Saturday Evening  Activity:  After dinner there will be an Introduction to Jodo Shinshu workshop by SD  Ministers  

Bishop’s  Recognition:  Dharma School Teacher’s who have reached 10 years of service will be  recognized by the Bishop at the conference. 

FDSTL Recognition: Dharma School Teacher’s who have reached 25 and 50 years of service will be  recognized by the FDSTL 

Questions: Contact Nadine Kakimoto (nadine.kakimoto@gardenabuddhistchurch.org) or Arleen  Miya (arleenmiya@yahoo.com) or 2025fdstlconf@gardenabuddhistchurch.org 

Covid Protocols: Please be courteous of others and consider attending the conference virtually if:  

• You feel sick with cold, flu, or COVID-19 symptoms 

• If tested positive or in close contact to someone with COVID-19 less than 10 days prior to conference 

Transportation 

Provided between temple and one of the recommended hotels (Miyako Hybrid or New  Gardena Hotel). Attendees must arrange for their own transportation between  the airport and hotel. 

Note: The city of Gardena is located between LAX (Los Angeles International) and Long Beach airports. 

Accommodation

Recommended Conference Hotels: 

Gardena Buddhist Church has Corporate rates with the Miyako Hybrid Hotel and New  Gardena Hotel. Reservations for both hotels must be booked through the Gardena  Buddhist Church. Please fill out the attached hotel reservation request form and  email to 2025fdstlconf@gardenabuddhistchurch.org as soon as possible. 

• Miyako Hybrid Hotel  

21381 S Western Ave, Torrance, CA, 90501 

• • Double King/Double: $187

  • Executive King/Double: $276

  • Suite Room: $397

• New Gardena Hotel (walking distance to the church, 15-20 mins)  

1641 W Redondo Beach Blvd, Gardena, CA 90247 

• • Standard 1 King: $139

  • Standard 2 Queens: $149

  • Executive 1 King: $209

  • Executive 2 Queens: $229

There are no rooms blocked for the Conference.

Attendees are free to choose other hotels in the area but transportation will only be  provided between these hotels and the Gardena Buddhist Church. 

Attendees must arrange for their own transportation between the airport and the hotel. 

Hotel Self-Parking and Wifi is complementary at both hotels 

Breakfast – Included in New Gardena Hotel’s room rate; breakfast buffet is offered at  the Miyako Hotel’s Ise Shima restaurant for $26.00 per person when purchased at the  time the hotel reservation is made, price will be higher when purchased at the hotel. 

Tentative Schedule  

Saturday, April 26th 

In-Person Schedule  

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast (Social Hall)  9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Opening Service (Hondo)  

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Keynote Address and Q&A  

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM Break  

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Workshop 1 

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM Lunch  

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Workshop 2  

2:00 PM - 2:15 PM Transition  

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Workshop 3  

3:15 PM - 3:30 PM Transition  

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM Closing Service & Awards Presentation (Hondo)  

4:15 PM - 5:00 PM General Meeting  

5:00 PM - 5:30 PM Break  

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM Dinner  

7:00 PM Introduction to Jodo Shinshu workshop (presented by SD Ministers) 

Virtual Schedule  

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Zoom Login 

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Opening Service 

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Keynote Address and Q&A 

10:30 AM - 10:45 AM Break 

10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Virtual Workshop by Rev. Ko’e Umezu 

Sunday, April 27th Gardena Dharma School Service (In-Person & Zoom)  

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Attendees are invited to attend the Gardena Buddhist Church’s Dharma School Service