Published On:Tuesday, 30 September 2014
Posted by Celebrate Life Style information Blog
New Buddhist temple in Terrytown will be one of the biggest on the Gulf Coast
The temple under construction at 1731 Stumpf Blvd. is to be called Lien Hoa Van Phat. The translation of "Van Phat" is "10,000 Buddhas."
Those behind the project say the 54-foot-high, 7,200-square-foot structure will be the largest Buddhist temple between Houston and Florida, and will be completed in one year.
After 242 45-foot pilings were driven into the ground, a 6-foot deep cement foundation was poured, and the steel framework has begun.
General contractor Huynh Hong Quan said that much of the hand-carved furniture, statues and building materials were custom-made by fine craftsmen and women in Vietnam.
"The building's exterior will be dark brown brick, with marble stairs and columns, with golden dragons on the corners of the curved roof," Quan said.
He will be returning to Vietnam to secure the special tiles for the roof, either in red or yellow, designed to withstand 200 mph winds. In addition to the base members, the temple has gained support from the entire Gulf Coast Buddhist community.
The interior walls will be filled with 1-foot square shadow boxes, 7 inches deep, each enclosing an identical 8-inch golden Buddha statue. Below the statues will be a small plaque in commemoration of the family making the donation for the Buddha. The statues will be illuminated by special LED lights shining upward, hence the name Van Phat, or 10,000 Buddhas.
The main feature of the interior will include a 10-foot-high concrete statue of Buddha Shakyamuni sitting on top of a 4-foot high base in the shape of a lotus. A common symbol in Buddhism, the lotus flower has its roots in mud at the bottom of ponds, and people should aim to be like the lotus. The mud represents human life; the pure flower symbolizes enlightenment.
Some of the art work to be installed behind the Buddha statue will include a fig tree, an important symbol because it was in the shade of a fig tree that Siddattha Gotam, who lived 2,500 years ago, known as the Buddha, sat in meditation and saw the meaning of all things unfold.
Quan served two terms as president of the Vietnamese Americans Association in Louisiana. When asked if he was aware of the ratio of the Vietnamese in the New Orleans area who practice Buddhism compared to those who practice Catholicism, he said, "In Vietnam, 90 percent of the population is Buddhist. Back in the '70s after the war, a Catholic priest immigrated to this area and established a large Catholic congregation. Today, 70 percent of the Vietnamese in our community practice Catholicism and 30 percent practice Buddhism."
While the new temple is under construction, services are being held temporarily in the library located directly behind the construction site. The temple has a base of 500 members.
To pay respect, visitors often remove their shoes before entering the holy space. The Buddhist monk who heads the temple, Master Thich Nguyen Tam, is a gentle and inviting man who explained that the role of the temple is more than a house of worship. It is also an important cultural center for the entire Vietnamese community. To preserve tradition, Vietnamese language is taught to young people. Many members prepare and contribute traditional fruit and vegetarian dishes. Meat and dairy products are not allowed.
All visitors are welcome. Members of the community are invited to approach an altar, bow, light incense, meditate, and say prayers. While there is no requirement to offer money, many visitors leave donations which go toward building maintenance and to support the monks. The monks get no salary. The congregation hosts lively musical performances on traditional holidays. [ Nola ]
Those behind the project say the 54-foot-high, 7,200-square-foot structure will be the largest Buddhist temple between Houston and Florida, and will be completed in one year.
After 242 45-foot pilings were driven into the ground, a 6-foot deep cement foundation was poured, and the steel framework has begun.
General contractor Huynh Hong Quan said that much of the hand-carved furniture, statues and building materials were custom-made by fine craftsmen and women in Vietnam.
"The building's exterior will be dark brown brick, with marble stairs and columns, with golden dragons on the corners of the curved roof," Quan said.
He will be returning to Vietnam to secure the special tiles for the roof, either in red or yellow, designed to withstand 200 mph winds. In addition to the base members, the temple has gained support from the entire Gulf Coast Buddhist community.
The interior walls will be filled with 1-foot square shadow boxes, 7 inches deep, each enclosing an identical 8-inch golden Buddha statue. Below the statues will be a small plaque in commemoration of the family making the donation for the Buddha. The statues will be illuminated by special LED lights shining upward, hence the name Van Phat, or 10,000 Buddhas.
The main feature of the interior will include a 10-foot-high concrete statue of Buddha Shakyamuni sitting on top of a 4-foot high base in the shape of a lotus. A common symbol in Buddhism, the lotus flower has its roots in mud at the bottom of ponds, and people should aim to be like the lotus. The mud represents human life; the pure flower symbolizes enlightenment.
Some of the art work to be installed behind the Buddha statue will include a fig tree, an important symbol because it was in the shade of a fig tree that Siddattha Gotam, who lived 2,500 years ago, known as the Buddha, sat in meditation and saw the meaning of all things unfold.
Quan served two terms as president of the Vietnamese Americans Association in Louisiana. When asked if he was aware of the ratio of the Vietnamese in the New Orleans area who practice Buddhism compared to those who practice Catholicism, he said, "In Vietnam, 90 percent of the population is Buddhist. Back in the '70s after the war, a Catholic priest immigrated to this area and established a large Catholic congregation. Today, 70 percent of the Vietnamese in our community practice Catholicism and 30 percent practice Buddhism."
While the new temple is under construction, services are being held temporarily in the library located directly behind the construction site. The temple has a base of 500 members.
To pay respect, visitors often remove their shoes before entering the holy space. The Buddhist monk who heads the temple, Master Thich Nguyen Tam, is a gentle and inviting man who explained that the role of the temple is more than a house of worship. It is also an important cultural center for the entire Vietnamese community. To preserve tradition, Vietnamese language is taught to young people. Many members prepare and contribute traditional fruit and vegetarian dishes. Meat and dairy products are not allowed.
All visitors are welcome. Members of the community are invited to approach an altar, bow, light incense, meditate, and say prayers. While there is no requirement to offer money, many visitors leave donations which go toward building maintenance and to support the monks. The monks get no salary. The congregation hosts lively musical performances on traditional holidays. [ Nola ]
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