Minnesota Buddhist Vihara
{{Short description|Theravada Buddhist temple in Minneapolis, Minnesota}}
{{Infobox religious building
| name = Minnesota Buddhist Vihara
| native_name =
| image = Minnesota_Buddhist_Vihara.jpg
| alt = Front view of the Minnesota Buddhist Vihara, Minnesota
| caption = Front view of the Minnesota Buddhist Vihara, Minnesota
| map_type =
| map_size =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| location = 3401 N. 4th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55412
| coordinates = {{Coord|45.016933|-93.285094|heading:265.90664675130694}}
| religious_affiliation = Theravada Buddhism
| deity =
| state = Minnesota
| country = United States of America
| functional_status =
| architect =
| general_contractor =
| website = {{URL|https://www.mnbv.org/}}
| leadership = Witiyala Seewalie Thera, founder
| year_completed =
}}
Minnesota Buddhist Vihara is a Theravada Buddhist temple in the state of Minnesota. It was established in 2004 by Venerable Witiyala Seewalie Maha Thera, who is also the current Abbot of the Vihara and the Deputy Chief Sangha Nayaka of North America,{{cite news|url=http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2011/06/malwatte-chapter-awards-ven-witiyala.html |title= Malwatte Chapter awards Ven. Witiyala Seewalie Thera post of deputy chief Sangha Nayaka of North America|last=Gunaratne|first=Shelton A. |date=7 June 2011|work=Sri Lanka Guardian|accessdate=29 November 2020}} appointed by the Malwatta Chapter in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Its 10th anniversary was celebrated on March 30, 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items/2014/03/26/minnesota-buddhist-vihara-celebrates-10th-anniversary/|title=Minnesota Buddhist Vihara celebrates 10th anniversary |last=Guneratne|first=Shelton |work=LankaWeb|date=26 March 2014|accessdate=29 November 2020}}
History
The Vihara came to an existence in need of a spiritual place in the Midwest. Ven. Seewalie was invited by the Buddhist community in Twin Cities to conduct religious and spiritual activities. Initially, the activities were held at Thien An, a Vietnamese Buddhist temple, in Blaine. As the community started to grow, the current location was purchased and held an opening ceremony on June 24, 2006. A president of Sri Lanka issued a greetings on the opening of the temple and said,
“In an era when the Buddhist teaching is most wanted to the world. I treat the inauguration of the Minnesota Buddhist Vihara as a remarkable event. I wish the sublime motive of propagating the teaching of the Buddha by the inaugurators of this vihara be a success”{{cite news|url=https://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=65,2866,0,0,1,0. | title=Sri Lankan President says opening of Minnesota Buddhist Vihara a remarkable event|last=Jayawardhana|first=Walter|work=The Buddhist Channel |date=26 June 2006 |accessdate=29 November 2020}}
Services
Since its inception, the Vihara has been a central place for Buddhist community from various backgrounds to come and experience religious and spiritual events such as weekly meditation session, monthly meditation retreats and annual ceremonies.{{cite web |url=https://www.mnbv.org/activities/ |title=Activities |accessdate=21 February 2023}}
Its service is not limited to the state but has expanded to neighboring states as well. Resident monks visit South Dakota State Penitentiary once a month to teach and guide mindfulness session for inmates. They also travel to North Dakota twice a year to lead a day-long mindfulness session in Fargo-Moorhead area.{{cite news|url=https://www.inforum.com/news/2805311-f-m-event-feature-buddhist-monks|title=F-M event feature buddhist monks|editor=Inforum|date=28 October 2006 |accessdate=29 November 2020}} In addition, they visit universities, churches, and schools to share the teachings of the Buddha.{{cite news|url=https://www.hometownsource.com/sun_focus/stories-from-asian-american-neighbors/article_da32c3fa-2dfe-11e8-bb47-bb11a3da6c20.html | title=Stories from Asian-American neighbors |editor=Sun Focus|date=26 March 2018|accessdate=29 November 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bemidjistate.edu/news/2018/04/11/bsu-and-ntc-hosted-mindful-mediation-sessions-april-10/ | title=Gallery: BSU and NTC hosted Mindful Meditation Sessions April 10 |editor=Bemidji State University|date=11 April 2018|accessdate=29 November 2020}}
On April 21, 2019, a public memorial service was held in memory of Sri Lanka Bombing victims.{{cite news|url=https://www.startribune.com/dozens-honor-victims-at-minneapolis-buddhist-temple/508879242/ | title=Dozens at Minneapolis Buddhist temple honor Sri Lanka bombing victims |last=Klecker|first=Mara| work=StarTribune|date=21 April 2019|accessdate=29 November 2020}}{{cite news|url= https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/minnesotans-honor-victims-of-sri-lanka-attacks/89-bddf6201-f3f4-4208-9d67-d46f70afedca | title=Minnesotans honor victims of Sri Lanka attacks| last=Wigdahl|first=Heidi|work=Kare11|date=21 April 2019|accessdate=7 January 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.sctimes.com/picture-gallery/news/2019/12/26/times-2019-pictures-year/2703683001 |title=St. Cloud Times 2019 Pictures of the Year |last=Schwarz |first=Dave| work=St. Cloud Times|date=27 December 2019|accessdate=28 July 2023}}
Addition to temple
File:A_sacred_stupa_at_Minnesota_Buddhist_Vihara.jpg in the temple premise.]]
Under the guidance of Venerable Seewalie's leadership, the temple commenced the construction of a sacred stupa within its premises in April 2021. On October 6, 2023, a formal ceremony was convened to commemorate its completion.{{cite news|url= https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-buddhist-community-celebrates-unveiling-of-new-stupa/600310446 | title=Minnesota Buddhist community celebrates unveiling of new stupa in Minneapolis|last=Stubbe|first=Glen|work=Startribune|date=6 October 2023|accessdate=10 February 2024}}
Distinguished monks from diverse temples and devout laities congregated to offer chants and blessings, signifying a momentous achievement for the temple.
Mission
The Vihara promotes to create peace and harmony within and the surroundings. It is open to public and invites everyone to come and explore the Buddha's teachings.{{cite web |url=https://www.mnbv.org/our-mission/ |title=Our Mission Statement |accessdate=21 February 2023}} {{cite blog |url=https://americanbuddhism.pages.wm.edu/minnesota-buddhist-vihara/| title=Minnesota Buddhist Vihara |last=Boyce|first=Abigail|work=Buddhism in America| accessdate=4 December 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|https://www.mnbv.org/}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/user/mnbvusa/videos Videos of Minnesota Buddhist Vihara]
- [https://www.youtube.com/user/mnbuddhist2004/videos Chantings and Dhamma talks conducted in the temple]
Category:Buddhist monasteries in the United States
Category:Buddhist temples in the United States
Category:Theravada Buddhist monasteries