Minister & Minister's Assistant

Rimban. William Briones was born and raised in Mountain View, CA. His major was in Biology. He worked 28 years as a Research Biologist in the Department of Physiology, at Syntex Pharmaceuticals in Palo Alto, CA. He took an early retirement in 1995 and enrolled at the Institute of Buddhist Studies at CA Berkeley's Graduate of Theology Union. Upon Completion of ministerial program at Berkeley, Rev. Briones attended Chuo Bukkyo Gakuin (Buddhist Seminary) in Kyoto, Japan for 2 years. He received his Tokudo ordination in September 2000 and Kyoshi certification in April 2001.

His orientation began at LA Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in June 2001 and he joined the ministerial staff as a full time minister in January 2002. He became the 10th Rimban (head minister) of LA Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in September 2013.

Rev. Hibiki Junkyo Murakami is an Associate Minister at the Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. He was born and raised as the oldest son of Jonen-ji Temple in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan. Rev. Murakami received bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Shin Buddhism from Ryukoku University in Kyoto in 2016 and 2018 respectively. He received Tokudo ordination in 2013 and Kyoshi certification in 2015. His Buddhist name is Shaku Junkyo.

Rev. Murakami completed the International Ministerial Orientation Program (IMOP) at the Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley, CA in 2018. Upon completion of his IMOP studies in January 2020, he was assigned to the Los Angeles betsuin.

Outside of his ministerial functions, Rev. Murakami enjoys working on and driving his car. He also has a fondness for Aikido and outdoor activities such as golf, skiing, and relaxing at the beach. Recently, he has been developing his skills as a sketch artist. 

Rev. Yuki Himeji is a Kaikyoshi minister who was born and raised in Akita Prefecture, Japan. He received Tokudo ordination in 2014, Kyoshi certification in 2022, and completed the correspondence course at Chuo Bukkyo Gakuin in 2023. In 2024, he completed the International Ministerial Orientation Program (IMOP) at the Jodo Shinshu Center in Berkeley, California.

He graduated from Keio University in 2010, where he was an active pitcher in the Tokyo Big6 Baseball League. After graduation, he worked for a major housing company in Tokyo. However, a serious car accident led him to reconsider his path in life.

This life-changing experience inspired him to pursue a career in Shiatsu therapy to help support the healing of others. For over ten years, he ran his own clinic as a Shiatsu therapist, offering treatments rooted in the spirit of Buddhist compassion—healing both body and mind.

Rev. Himeji also attributes a deep turning point in his spiritual journey to the influence of his wife’s family, who have a long-standing Buddhist temple lineage. Through their support and example, he experienced profound compassion, which strengthened his resolve to follow and practice Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.

He began serving at the Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in July 2025.

After 20 years in Soto Zen Buddhism, John embraced Nembutsu at the LA Betsuin, finding solace in Amida Buddha's compassionate acceptance toward all beings regardless of their shortcomings and imperfections. With gratitude as his practice, he has a newfound patience for life's chaos and has traded in his solitary Zen practice for the embrace of a busy Dharma family. When one door closes, another opens.  Namo Amida Butsu!

You can visit John’s blog, Being Bombu-Cultivating Gratitude at https://beingbombu.com/