Construction of a new temple for SLOBC on Ontario Road started in 1962 and was completed in 1963, with a formal dedication ceremony held on June 22nd. The ceremony was officiated by Buddhist Churches of America (BCA) Bishop Rev. Shinsho Ha-nayama complete with a Chigo procession of children dressed in colorful attire. The temple was surrounded by oak trees and other shrubs, giving the area a rustic and natural look. To access the temple, one had to walk across a 40 feet pedestrian bridge then up 8 steps to the veranda or engawa which was attached to three sides of the temple. The 8 steps like the Dharma Wheel above in the roof gable, amplifies the Eightfold Path.

The temple’s rustic surroundings later inspired Rev. Iwao to build a natural Japanese Garden outside the kitchen door. After the temple bridge was in-stalled, Takaaki Sakamoto constructed Japanese gar-dens below on both sides of the bridge. The beauty of the 3 gardens continues to attract the many visitors, lending for a peaceful setting. The design of the new temple has been likened to the Horyuji Temple in Nara, Japan.

In 1966, Rev. Iwao became seriously ill and Charles Paulsen, who began studying Buddhism in 1927 and had been helping at the temple since 1952, was appointed minister for San Luis Obispo Buddhist Church (SLOBC) and Guadalupe Buddhist Church (GBC) by Bishop Hanayama. Rev. Paulsen had received his initial ordination by Lord Abbott Kosho Ohtani of the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan, in 1959 and final ordination in 1965. Abbott Kosho Ohtani first visited SLOBC in 1951. Being blind since childhood, Rev. Paulsen transcribed his lessons into Braille and his wife, Dorothy, would drive him to the temple every Sunday, a round- trip distance of 120 miles. He was an accomplished musician and prior to becoming involved with the temple, served the City of Lompoc as a Justice of the Peace and City Judge.

Rev. Paulsen was succeeded briefly by Rev. Arthur Yamabe in 1966, then Rev. Koken Sakai. In 1968, Rev. Hakushi Futaba was assigned to serve GBC and SLOBC and continued doing so for 14 years. Rev. Futaba oversaw Sunday and Special Services, his wife edited and published the newsletter, and both actively supported the Dharma School. The Futaba family lived in Guadalupe and like the Iwao’s, more than faithfully served both churches. Both sanghas are forever grateful to them. During this period, the Dharma School played an important role within the church under the tutelage and guidance of Rose Kawaoka, Iku Mayeda and Reiko Fukuhara.