The original Los Angeles Betsuin Adult Buddhist Association was organized in 1956 as the Young Adult Buddhist Association (YABA).  The purpose was to keep former YBA members (pre-World War II) active at the Betsuin and to bridge the gap between the Issei leaders and the younger Nisei’s and Sansei’s.

The first president was Jack Iwata, and the following are the charter members:  Shigemi Aratani, Noboru Ishitani, Frank Kakita, Akira Murakami, Mickey Nagamoto, Shiz Shibata, Yoshio Shibata, George Yamaguchi, Edward Yoshimoto, and Rev. Arthur Takemoto (ministerial advisor).

The Southern District YABA was formed in 1956, although not in an official capacity.  In February of 1957, the L.A. Betsuin YABA requested admission into the Western Young Adult Buddhist League (WYABL) and immediately thereafter, the Southern District YABA Council was formed, namely Senshin, West Lost Angeles, Gardena, Pasadena and the L.A. Betsuin.  Eventually WYABL became the Western Adult Buddhist League (WABL).  In 1964, the name YABA was changed to ABA.