Regional Buddhist conference in Spokane

Rev. Dennis Fujimoto leads the audience in singing along with a choir from his home temple in Ontario, Oregon.

(from left) Michelle Sadamori, Mari Haworth (behind) and Carrie Mori perform taiko, traditional Japanese group drumming during a Buddhist service Saturday.

Mike Iseri, right, of Ontario, Oregon joins Yoshio Ono, left, in presenting traditional offerings of brocaded fabric to the altar during a Buddhist service Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 at the Davenport Hotel during the annual regional Buddhist conference.

Buddhists from around the Northwest listen to speakers in the Pennington Ballroom.

Sensei Paul Vielle, right, accepts an offering of fruit near the altar set in a ballroom at the Davenport Hotel Saturday for the annual Buddhist conference. Vielle serves the Spokane Buddhist Temple. Offerings of fabrics, rice, fruit and other items is a tradition in Buddhist services

(from left) Marvin Harada, Paul Vielle, Socho Ogui and Gregory Gibbs sit on the stage during services Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012 at the Davenport Hotel. Ogui is the bishop that oversees the Northwest region of Shin Buddhists. Buddhists from Washington, Idaho and Oregon are gathered for their annual conference.

Fumi Uyeji, center, hugs Jun Yugawa, left, and laughs with friends between events Saturday. Uyeji and Yugawa belong to the Spokane Buddhist Temple. Buddhism in part of the Japanese-American experience and many reunite with old friends at the conferences.