The “Bruton Buddhas” at Buddha’s Universal Church

Buddha by Margaret Bruton in the Main Auditorium

The Bruton sisters were famous for the forty foot Buddha in their Peacemakers mural at the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition (see my blog post here), but this was not the last Buddha of their long and productive art careers. Almost twenty five years later, they created three stunning Buddha mosaics for Buddha’s Universal Church, located in Chinatown in San Francisco. This project was one of the last major commissions undertaken by the Brutons, who were in their sixties at the time.  

I had the pleasure and honor of visiting Buddha’s Universal Church recently, and I was so impressed by the warmth of the congregation, the stunning design of their church, and the beauty of the Brutons’ Buddha mosaics. The church has five levels, including a tranquil rooftop garden that serves as a quiet oasis for contemplation. The style of the church is obviously Asian, but it is also an impressive example of mid-century modern architecture. The clean lines, minimalism, and superior materials make the building a pleasure to experience. As their website says, “Ours is a modern church practicing ancient teachings.”[1]  

The size, beauty, and quality of the church is quite surprising given that it was built entirely by volunteers. This incredible community effort took more than eleven years to complete. Not only the congregation, but many San Franciscans helped with the project. As the Oakland Tribune reported, “By the time the church was completed, Bay Area residents of every race and creed had contributed to its success.”[2] You can read the fascinating story of how a congregation of 300 built the largest Buddhist church in the United States here. 

Buddha by Esther Bruton in the Chapel of the Bamboo Grove

When it came time to create the Buddhas for the church, the congregation looked to the famous Bruton sisters. Church leaders had seen the impressive mosaic maps the Brutons created for the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in the Philippines (to be discussed in a later blog post), and they asked the Brutons if they would make the Buddhas for the church.[3]  As Esther Bruton remarked, the congregation was quite persuasive: “These people have the faith that moves mountains… and when they draw a bead on you, you might as well get going.”[4]  Although the Brutons were not Buddhist (they described themselves as “backsliding Episcopalians”[5]), they were extremely proud to contribute to the church, and they volunteered their time just like all the other workers. 

Wendy Good (center) with Noreen and Daphne in front of 
Helen Bruton’s Buddha mosaic at Buddha’s Universal Church

The main auditorium of the church, where services are held, features a large Buddha by Margaret Bruton that reaches nearly two stories high. This mosaic, made of ceramic, crushed quartz aggregate, and cement with gold leaf, represents Buddha in his forties, after reaching enlightenment. The Buddha Esther made is upstairs in the Chapel of the Bamboo Grove and is quite unique—it is made of mosaic, wood, gold leaf, and abalone shell.  This mosaic portrays a young Buddha in his twenties when he gave his first teachings. Finally, Helen’s mosaic of Buddha in his thirties is on the lower level.  This is a more traditional mosaic—it is made of colorful glass and ceramic pieces and is quite similar to the mosaics Helen was famous for.  All three sisters attended the dedication when the church was completed in 1963.  The leader of the church at the time, Dr. Paul Fung, called the spectacular mosaics the “Bruton Buddhas.”[6]

San Francisco Examiner, 25 Sept. 1963, p. 24.

If you would like to tour this beautiful building, or if you are curious about Buddhism, I highly encourage you to visit Buddha’s Universal Church when you are in San Francisco. For more information, check out their website:  http://www.bucsf.com/

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[1]Buddha’s Universal Church website, http://www.bucsf.com/history/   

[2]Oakland Tribune, 28 Feb. 1963, p. 30.

[3]San Francisco Examiner, 25 Sept. 1963, p. 24.

[4]San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Sept. 1963, p. 30.

[5]San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Sept. 1963, p. 30.

[6]San Francisco Chronicle, 29 Sept. 1963, p. 30.