Reaching the World Stage: A Kongshan Temple Anecdote (Part 8)

The late lay practitioner Shen Jiazhen fervently hoped that the Venerable Guru would establish a monastery and the monastic community in the United States to benefit practitioners with karmic connections in North America. Understanding the Guru’s intention and vow, the Teacher has been actively striving to establish Kongshan Temple in the U.S. At the same time, the Teacher has been contemplating how our organization can take a further step toward internationalization.

For nearly twenty years, the Teacher has painstakingly built a monastic campus on P Island accommodating over a thousand Bhikshus (monks) and Bhikshunis (nuns).

After much deliberation and evaluation, the Teacher decided to designate New York as the international center for Dharma propagation. New York is arguably the premier metropolis in the United States, a global hub for finance and commerce, and a major crossroads for world travel. It is convenient for lay practitioners from around the globe to visit, and the human and material resources are relatively abundant. Furthermore, the local practitioners in the New York area are particularly enthusiastic in their support, making it an ideal location for international Dharma work.

The Teacher also hopes to establish our organization's first Meditation Retreat Center here, inviting students and Dharma friends from all over the world to meditate and experience the wonderful benefits of genuine Buddhist practice.