The largest Vietnamese Buddhist temple in the USA is currently under construction in Terrytown, Louisiana. With an area of 7,200 square feet and a height of 54 feet, Lien Hoa Van Phat will also be the largest Buddhist temple of any denomination between Houston and Florida. The construction is scheduled for completion in a year’s time.
“Van Phat” in the temple’s name means “10,000 Buddhas,” and refers to the 10,000 golden Buddhas that will be installed along the inner walls. Enclosed in a shadow box, the 8-inch statues will be illuminated by special LED lights. A small plaque below each one will commemorate the ancestors of the statue’s donor.
The temple’s main feature will be a 10-foot statue of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, seated on a lotus. Behind the statue will be various artworks, including a large bodhi tree, representing the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment as Siddhartha Gautama. Special tiles designed in Vietnam will be used to build the roof. So far, the temple has generated positive feedback from online commentators. One netizen, Artosrex, commented: “This should be a beautiful and tranquil place.”
According to Huynh Hong Quan, the temple’s general contractor, most 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,” he added.
The temple is primarily intended for the Vietnamese community who migrated to the New Orleans area after the Vietnam War. Never having had a temple of their own in which to conduct their religious activities, many were converted to Christianity by local priests.
Mr. Quan, who served previously as president of the Vietnamese Americans Association in Louisiana, said he was well aware that there were fewer Vietnamese practicing Buddhism than Catholicism in the New Orleans area. “Back in the '70s after the war, a Catholic priest immigrated to this area and established a large Catholic congregation,” he explained. “Today, 70 percent of the Vietnamese in our community practice Catholicism and 30 percent practice Buddhism.” In Vietnam, 90 per cent of the population is Buddhist.
The temple will also function as a cultural center for the Vietnamese community. Until the work is complete, activities are being held in a library located at the temple’s rear. To preserve the tradition, the Vietnamese language is actively taught to young people; Vietnamese vegetarian food is offered; and on traditional holidays, cultural performances are held.
The temple’s abbot, Master Thich Nguyen Tam, has extended an invitation to all visitors to perform religious activities there, including rituals, meditation, and chanting. Though the main purpose behind the temple is to serve the Vietnamese community, they hope to encourage everyone to use it regardless of background, race, or nationality.
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