Jodo Shu Betsuin v. Jodoshu North America Buddhist Missions
The parties to this appeal are organizations and an individual associated with Jodo Shu, a Buddhist sect. Plaintiff, Jodo Shu Betsuin, appeals from a summary judgment entered in favor of defendants, Jodoshu North America Buddhist Missions (defendant) and Bishop Masahiko Asatani. Plaintiff is or was a Buddhist temple. Defendant is an umbrella organization that oversees Jodo Shu operations in North America. Bishop Asatani is an officer and bishop of defendant and a former member of plaintiffs board of trustees. Both plaintiff and defendant are California non-profit religious corporations. (Corp. Code, 9110 et seq.) Plaintiff was expelled from the Jodo Shu organization. The expulsion resulted from a dispute involving the religious leadership of plaintiffs temple. Defendant barred plaintiff from use of temple property. Plaintiff sought to recover as damages its financial and personal property investments in the construction and operation of the temple building. The trial court found the dispute between plaintiff and defendants is a religious disagreement over which the civil courts have no jurisdiction. The trial court entered a summary judgment. Plaintiff appealed. Court reverse the summary judgment, but direct entry of an order granting summary adjudication of the first cause of action for wrongful eviction.
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