LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the Chuang Yen Monastery and commem-
orating the 50th Anniversary of the Buddhist Association of the United
States

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commemorate the 50th Anniver-
sary of the Buddhist Association of the United States, and to honor its
past and present contributions for 50 years of being a community center
for learning and activities; and
WHEREAS, The Chuang Yen Monastery as the home of the Buddhist Associ-
ation of the United States, is situated on 225 acres of land in the Town
of Kent, Putnam County; and
WHEREAS, In November of 1975, the Buddhist Association of the United
States leased 125 acres of land for 99 years with an annual payment of
one dollar in Putnam County, New York, from Dr. C.T. Shen for the future
development of Chuang Yen Monastery; and
WHEREAS, The ground-breaking ceremony for the Chuang Yen Monastery was
held on May 23, 1981, and as suggested by the local government, Dr. C.T.
Shen donated the land to the Buddhist Association of the United States
in 1989; and
WHEREAS, The Chuang Yen Monastery is comprised of the Great Buddha
Hall, Kuan-Yin Hall, a Dining Hall, Yin-Kuang Hall, Thousand Lotus Memo-
rial Terrace, Tai-Hsu Hall, Seven Jewels Lake, and the Woo-Ju Library;
and
WHEREAS, Most of the temple buildings are built in the architectural
style of China's Tang Dynasty; and
WHEREAS, Buddhist Monasteries not only have traditionally served as a
focus for religious services and festivals but also as community centers
of learning and activities; and
WHEREAS, These community service contributions include an annual
Interfaith Prayer Service on New Year's Day to promote mutual under-
standing among all religions, free book distribution, programs for
schools, and donations to senior centers, fire departments, and food
banks; and
WHEREAS, Chuang Yen Monastery extends an invitation to the public to
view the religious services and festivals held there and is committed to
being a location to cultivate awareness to develop wisdom; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the Chuang Yen Monastery and to commemorate the 50th Anniver-
sary of the Buddhist Association of the United States; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Chuang Yen Monastery, and the Buddhist Association of the
United States, Carmel, New York.