Trailblazers
Mary Elizabeth Mikahala Robinson Foster
September 20, 1844 – December 29, 1930
Mary Foster’s gravesite is at the Makiki Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her grave is plain and simple, with a marble plaque and an unadorned marble column topped with a marble urn. There are no religious symbols or ornaments. On the marble plaque is inscribed “Mary E. Foster 1844 – 1930.”
​​
You would not have known this Royal Hawaiian woman was a 19th Century native Hawaiian Buddhist, global philanthropist, and social activist. She financially supported Buddhist temples in England, India, and Sri Lanka.​
​
“Mary Foster’s life and legacy are deeply connected to the history of Buddhism in Hawaii. Her generosity and vision continue to inspire us today,” said Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, part of the Nishi Hongwanji in Kyoto, Japan, a Jodo Shinshu sect. Bishop Umitani was one of several speakers at the Mary Foster tribute hosted by the British MahaBodhi Society in collaboration with the ABSC on February 1, 2025.​​​​​​
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii
“Under the leadership of Bishop Imamura, HHMH provided spiritual refuge to Japanese immigrants facing poverty, discrimination, and isolation in a new land. Mary Foster played an instrumental role in helping the Hongwanji grow and thrive during these challenging times.” He continued, “In 1901, she invited Queen Lili’uokalani to a special Buddhist service, fostering greater acceptance of Buddhism in Hawaii…. Mary Foster collaborated with Bishop Imamura to design a temple that embraced inclusivity, blending elements of Indian, Japanese, and American traditions, dedicated in 1918.” He closed with, “Her compassion, humility, and dedication enabled the Buddha-Dharma to flourish in Hawaii. May we honor her legacy by continuing to share the teachings of the Buddha and striving for a more harmonious and compassionate world.”
After the death of her husband, Thomas Foster, a shipbuilder, Mary grieved profoundly, and when she came out, her spark for inner peace and caring for the underprivileged turned into a raging flame that would not be put out.
​
In October 1893, in Honolulu harbor, Mary Foster met Anagarika Dharmapala aboard the SS Oceana. Anagarika was returning to Sri Lanka after speaking at the World’s Parliament of Religions at the Chicago World Exposition. That was the beginning of a lifelong friendship, and Anagarika considered Mary Foster as his second mother.​
Thomas Foster
Anagarika Dharmapala
SS Oceana
This was also the beginning of a series of global financial Buddhist investments by Mary Foster. In England, she helped establish the first London Buddhist Vihara. In Sarnath, India, she helped to finance the Mulagandhakuti Temple, where the Buddha promulgated his teachings 2,600 years ago. She financed a hospital for the underprivileged and another Buddhist Vihara in Sri Lanka. Her Buddhist compassion and social activist work touched so many lives.​​​​​​​​​​​​
We honor this important Buddhist woman, Mary Elizabeth Mikahala Robinson Foster, who many people know so little about.
Dr. Anefil Agbayani (left) worked with Dr. Patrica Masters (right), the author of Searching for Mary Foster.
Mulagandhakuti Temple, Sarnath, India
Mary Foster donated her garden in Honolulu, Hawaii
Dedication of Mary Foster at the London Buddhist Vihara