Chuang Yen Monastery


Chuang Yen Monastery is a Buddhist temple situated on in Kent, Putnam County, New York, in the United States. The temple is home to the largest indoor statue of a Buddha in the Western Hemisphere. The name "Chuang Yen" means "Majestically Adorned".

History

In November 1975, the Buddhist Association of the United States leased 125 acres of land in Putnam County from Dr. C.T. Shen for the development of Chuang Yen Monastery. According to the temple, the lease was for ninety-nine years with an annual payment of one dollar. As suggested by the local government, Dr. Shen donated the land to BAUS in 1989.
Much of the temple buildings are built in the architectural style of China's Tang dynasty, and was designed by architect Edward A Valeri RA. On May 23, 1981, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the first building, the Kuan Yin Hall. The other buildings that make up the monastery were added over the years: the Dining Hall, the Thousand Lotus Memorial Terrace, the Tai Hsu Hall, the Yin Kuang Hall, the Woo Ju Memorial Library and the Great Buddha Hall. The Great Buddha Hall's opening was presided over by the 14th Dalai Lama.

Leadership

The first president of BAUS, Venerable Lok To, laid the foundation of BAUS. Venerables Ming Chi and Xian Ming, together with Dr. Shen, took on the challenge and assumed the responsibility of building and serving Chuang Yen Monastery.

Services

Prayer and meditation retreat programs have been offered by the monastery regularly since at least 2006. The monastery provides meals and beds to pilgrims who attend the programs, though there are strict guidelines and schedule during the period.