AN OPEN LETTER
WITH A GENEROUS AND CARING HEART, MAY WE ALL DEVOTE OURSELVES TO THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE MAIN SANCTUARY
Houston, December 12, 2014
Namo Sakyamuni Buddha!
Respected Venerable Sangha!
Beloved Buddhist members and friends!
As people come and go, so does everything else. Sharing this fate, the main sanctuary at the Vietnamese Buddhist Center (VNBC), which has been nurturing the communities for the past 18 years, is now gone from these delightful surroundings. Reflecting on the impermanence of life, amidst the loss of the physical structure of the main sanctuary, we are comforted by so many invaluable blessings:
1.This place of worship, for the past 18 years, has been the spiritual refuge of so many Buddhists.
2.Once the conditions were no longer favorable, the sanctuary collapsed, but without any casualties or damages to the precious Buddhas’ statues, as well as all the memorials of the deceased, who are being worshipped at the Center.
3.Cherishing the passionate feelings toward this spiritual refuge, the Sangha and the lay people from all over the world, came and shared this loss with us. Many were so touched by what they saw, that they could not hold back their tears of sorrow.
However, the question in everyone’s mind is “When will the sanctuary be rebuilt?”
Respected Venerable Sangha!
Beloved Buddhist members and friends!
How may we answer this question, when we are being confronted with so many challenges? However, with encouraging words, unwavering support, and heartfelt wishes, from all of you, we are confident that The Main Sanctuary will be rebuilt in not too distant future. With complete faith in the Triple Jewels and in your resolute support, even before receiving the permission to demolish the collapsed building, we have already contacted various architects to start planning for the construction of the new sanctuary. We have also opened a special bank account at Wells Fargo to accommodate your gift of support. Your donations can be made as follows:
1.Cash, Check or Money Order/Cashier’s Check donati