Welcome to Chuang Yen Monastery.
The monastery, as the home of the Buddhist Association of the United States (BAUS), is situated on 225 acres of land in the Town of Kent in Putnam County, New York.
In November 1975, BAUS leased 125 acres of land in Putnam County, NY, from Dr. C.T. Shen for the future development of Chuang Yen Monastery (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 have not only served as venues for religious services and festivals. They have also been community centers of learning and activities – both religious and secular.
In keeping with that tradition, Chuang Yen Monastery extends an invitation to the public to visit the religious services and festivals held at the monastery, a place to cultivate awareness and develop wisdom.
Please note that Chuang Yen Monastery is not a training monastery. We do not have the capacity or personnel to prepare candidates for monastic ordination, to confer ordination, and to lead a program of training for those newly ordained. Our resident monastics have already received their ordination and basic training elsewhere.
We have trademarked our logo, ” 美國佛教會 ®” and “Buddhist Association of the United States®”
our organization name and EIN# remain a government-registered 501(c)(3) corporation.
BAUS ® is a government-registered 501(c)(3) corporation.
Donations to BAUS are thus tax deductible.