The Buddhist Churches of America is the United States branch of the Hongwanji-ha Hongwanji (a.k.a. Honpa Hongwanji / Nishi-Hongwanji) sub-sect of Jōdo Shinshū (淨土眞宗 "True Pure Land School") Buddhism.

The term 'Churches' in the name of the sect derives historically from the desire of Japanese immigrant Buddhists to be accepted into North American society and to avoid attracting discrimination, especially after many Japanese-Americans were interned during World War II.