Tour guide is possible available for groups visiting to the Chuang Yen Monastery.
1. This service is free of charge.
2. This service is provided by volunteers of the monastery who are willing to travel long distance and sacrifice their time, in order to for groups learn more about the monastery.
3. Interested groups, you can ask for the service through the following link: Group Tour Registration
4. Please note: Donations are welcome to the monastery. Please make the check payable to “B.A.U.S”.
5. If you have any further question, please contact KT Hsiu at cym@baus.org or call (845) 225-1819, ext 103.
Chuang Yen Monastery
We are pleased to know that you would like to visit the monastery.
(1)Please bring only vegetarian food products to the monastery. This means no meat, fish or eggs.
(2)There is NO smoking or drinking alcohol anywhere on the premises of the monastery.
(3)DO NOT harm or pick any flower, plant or vegetable, or feed or disturb any animal or fish on the premises.
(4)Drive slower than 15 mph once you enter the gate of the monastery. When guests drive over the speed limit on the grounds they cause harm to small animals, especially during the springtime.
(5)Please park only at the designated parking lot.
(6)Wear proper dress. This means modest and respectful clothing.
We appreciate your cooperation. If you have any other concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We hope you will enjoy your visit.
With Loving-Kindness,
Chuang Yen Monastery
Visitors to the monastery may enjoy a vegetarian lunch at the Dining Hall on Saturdays and Sundays between noon and 1:00 pm.
The lunch service in the monastery is provided by volunteers who use their weekends to come to cook and serve lunch for everyone. Everything we have at the monastery is made possible by donations from the public. Please cherish the food we serve, and take only the amount that you will actually consume. We suggest a donation of $6 per person to show gratitude.
1964
First BAUS facility in the Bronx, NY opened.
1965
Temple of Enlightenment founded.
1968
First Annual Membership Meeting held. Elected as trustees and officers were: President: Rev. Lok To (樂渡法師); Vice President: C.T. Shen (沈家楨居士) / S.J. Yue (俞時中居士).
1969
Woo Ju Shen donated a property which later became the site of the present Temple of Enlightenment (TOE).
1971
The Institute for the Translation of the Chinese Tripitaka (ITCT) formed in the Republic of China (Taiwan) to foster the aim of translating and publishing Buddhist scriptures in English.
The first Buddhist Dharma Service in Cathedral-of-the-Pines (C.O.P) in New Hampshire sponsored by BAUS. Led by Rev. Lok To (樂渡法師) and Rev. Sheu-Yen. C.T. Shen (沈家楨居士) delivered an address on “What we can learn from Buddhism”.
1975
• A series of Mahayana Discourses delivered by Rev. Jen-Chun (仁俊法師)
• Rev. Sheng-Yen (聖嚴法師) began giving meditation sessions at the TOE.
1976
The second Buddhist Dharma Service in Cathedral-of-the-Pines (C.O.P) in New Hampshire sponsored by BAUS. Led by Rev. Ming-Chi (敏智法師). A sermon entitled “The Fundamentals of Buddhism” given by Rev. Sheng-Yen (聖嚴法師), and a speech titled “May Flower” was delivered by C.T. Shen (沈家楨居士).
1977
First 7-day intensive Ch’an retreat held.
1978
An American student who participated the Ch’an class ordained as a Bhiksu in the Temple of Enlightenment. His dharma name was Kuo Jen (果忍法師).
1979
Rev. Yen-Pei (演培法師) delivered a series of lectures on the Chapter of Inconceivable Skill in Liberative Technique in the Vimalakirti Sutra.
1983
• Initial use of the first Thousand Lotus Terrace.
• Ground breaking ceremony of Kuan Yin Hall.
1984
Ven. Xian Ming became the abbot of CYM and TOE.
1985.5.11
Grand Opening Ceremony of .Kuan Yin Hall.
1984. 11.11
Twentieth Anniversary of BAUS held in TOE
1988
• Two lay people ordained with dharma names 成觀 and成如 in CYM
• Kitchen renovation at TOE completed.
• Woo Ju Shen fund to build a library at Chuang Yen Monastery begun.
1989
BAUS magazine renamed Wisdom Magazine.
Ground-breaking ceremony for the Great Buddha Hall.
1990
Lunch Service for general public begun at Chuang Yen Monastery.
Welcome to Chuang Yen Monastery. The Monastery, as the home of Buddhist Association of the United States, is situated on 225 acres of and in the Town of Kent, Putnam County, New York State. In November 1975, BAUS leased 125 acres of land in Putnam County, NY from Dr. C.T. Shen for the future development of CYM. The lease was for 99 years with an annual payment of one dollar. As suggested by the local government, Dr. Shen donated the land to BAUS in 1989. The ground-breaking ceremony for the monastery was held on May 23, 1981.
The name of the Monastery “Chuang Yen”, means “Majestically Adorned”. The “Adornment” refers to the adornment of the Buddha’s teachings. Traditionally, Buddhist Monasteries not only served as a focus for religious services and festivals, they were also community centers of learning and activities – both religious and secular. Carrying on that tradition, Chuang Yen Monastery extends and invitation to the public to vies the religious services and festivals held here, and be the place to cultivate awareness to develop wisdom.
