The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
A house in Pungo used by Buddhists as a temple is in foreclosure, and the monks are looking for a new spot.
The 4-acre ranch, at 4177 West Neck Road, was the subject of litigation when the monks sued Virginia Beach, arguing that the city violated their religious freedom by denying them a use permit to hold services.
A settlement was reached in March that allowed services to continue at the house with no more than 20 people at a time. The monks also agreed to hold festivals in a different location after neighbors complained.
Services at the Buddhist Education Center of America Inc. have continued, but financial problems have sent the house into foreclosure, said Samantha Niezgoda, a spokeswoman and member of the temple. An auction will be held Friday, she said.
The house was purchased in 2006 for about $950,000 when the monks relocated from Kempsville. The monthly mortgage is $7,805.14.
Thanh C. Doan, the master monk in Vietnam who owns the house, has been seriously ill, Niezgoda said. The lawsuit with the city also has made it difficult for the temple to raise money, she said.
The monks and their lawyer hope to negotiate a lease from the city for a large parcel of land off Salem Road, she said. They would need to put a building on the parcel, however, even if it's a temporary trailer.
They are working on a video to post on the Web site YouTube to promote ways the temple serves the community, she said.
"The monks actually are OK moving away from here, but we need to try to get out of this," she said. "It's important that they get into a safe place."
Chuc Thanh, one of the monks, said the move will be challenging emotionally and financially, but he wants the temple to continue.
Among benefits, he said, is an education program used by college students to learn about Buddhism.
Patrick Wilson, (757) 446-2957, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com
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I wanted to know if i was to
I wanted to know if i was to order 100
mortgage leads, how many would i get funded out of 100 leads what would be the percentage
i'm no expert...
...but maybe a million dollar residential home not zoned for religious services wasn't the best investment for them. Just sayin...
Buddhist Temple services and zoning
I suspect the monks nor the benefactor would have invested that kind of money had they known the zoning regulations. They are Vietmanese from Vietnam. From what I understand they barely speak English though they have hired a tutor to try to learn. From what I've heard they are trying their best to fit into our culture.It must be very difficult! If the shoe were on the other foot, I can't imagine trying to go to Vietnam only speaking English to try to help them understand our culture. Even if someone was kind enough to provide a building to work from, if I didn't have a lot of money to spend in the community to show my good intentions I personally wouldn't have the courage to even attempt it. Talk about mission impossible!
The Real Deal
Please see this from another perspective. The monks themselves did not choose this house and property to be their home. They agree that the temple is "too much." They believe they should have started much smaller and then allowed to grow over time. These are wise, understanding, and compassionate men. Attend a service or buddhist class (for americans) and you will easily see this. I cannot speak for the man in Vietnam who purchased this property. I cannot exactly say what transpired during the real estate transaction. What I can say is that I know the monks of the Buddhist temple and I believe they deserve an opportunity to stay here and to begin on their own terms, humbly. Please support them with kind words and well wishes. They sincerely deserve it.
Buddhist temple cont'd
CONT'D: concerns of the immediate neighbors. I don't think this is an issue of discrimination; but rather privacy or comfort levels. I do wish we could find a way to help these human beings achieve what seems to be such an amicable goal instead of just telling them what they CAN'T do. More than we might know, we're all in this together.
Buddhist temple
I have not attended any of the services at the Bubbhist temple, yet. I do intend to attend, especially before I pass judgement on anyone trying to make this world/community a better place to live. My limited knowledge of BuddhIsm is that they act from a place of compassion and acceptance. The main focus to my understanding is to relieve suffering. I also have a limited understanding of the zoning regulations in Va. Beach (I've been a licensed building contractor here for 33 years) The building regulations here can be daunting to say the least! Although I have not met the monks, I doubt they or their benefactor would have choosen a spot where they wouldn't conform to ANY regulations. (After all there are other churches in the area.) I understand the c
think....
if you had the choice of giving a dollar to a good cause, these folks or the charlatan at Centerville and Indian River Road??
Buddhist Temple
Personally I have limited funds, so at this time I make my contributions to the Red Cross, The Union Mission and The Southeastern Food Bank. If I were to donate a dollar to either group I would first attend both services, see what was going on at each service/gathering and then make an informed decision. I'd also like to have some idea how the money was going to be spent. I might likely make a contribution to both if I attended their services. Do we HAVE to pick only one? Do they have to be mutually exclusive? Is it OK to donate a dollar to both groups if you believe they are both trying to do good?
I pick them
Because, as someone who used to live up the street, I watched with disgust as Centerville was switched from one side to the other so he could have his "peace and quiet"
PICK OF THE CENTURY
I pick Union Mission Ministries because they are actually DOING something for those who have not. I completely agree about the fakir of Regentsville.