New Jersey Vihara and Meditation Center launches expansion project
The New Jersey Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center (NJBV & MC) held its groundbreaking ceremony for a new building on Sat u rday, September 16 in Princeton, New Jersey.
Local and regional dignitaries on hand for the event included state Senators Bob Smith and Christopher “Kip” Bateman; state Assemblymen Joe Danielsen and Andrew Zwicker; Somerset County Freeholder Brian Levine; Township Council members James Vassanella Ted Chase, Rozlyn Sherman and Rajiv Prasad . Also on hand was the Sri Lankan Ambassador to the UN, Dr. Rohan Perera.
About one- quarter of the approximat e ly $ 2.5 million construction cost has been raised, s a i d D r. Wi j e Kottahachchi, chairman of the fundraising committee. He said plans call for the temple to be constructed in the next two to three years.
The project’s chief engineer, Vajira Gunawardana, said the expansion project consists of an aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly building of about 11,000 square feet, meditation trails through the woods, a footbridge over a meandering stream, and pleasingly landscaped meditation gardens. The building will house a library, meditation hall, residence for the clergy, and areas for community gatherings
The Center established in 2003, is located on a serene 10- acre property, just 10 minutes from Princeton University and 45 minutes from New York City. A Samadhi ( meditation posture) statue of the Buddha was unveiled on the property in Sep. 2009. The Buddha statue is the largest of its kind in the Western hemisphere. Since it’s unveiling, the center has become a New Jersey landmark attracting a steady stream of visitors throughout the year. It was also recently proclaimed as a Cultural Landmark by the Township.
According to Re v. Hungampola Sirirathana, Nayaka Thero, Head Monk of the Center, its mission is to teach Buddhism and meditation, and act as a resource for all communities, establishing programmes for interfaith dialogue and encouraging visits from groups and scholars for such interaction.