A 30-foot-tall Buddha statue, one of the largest in the United States, has become a spiritual and cultural focal point near a state highway in Franklin Township, near Princeton, New Jersey. Erected a decade ago in the backyard of the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center, the statue reflects a vision of religious inclusion and community outreach, built under the guidance of Sri Lankan Theravada monk Venerable Hungampola Sirirathana Nakaya Thero.
The statue's unusual location, just off Route 27 near Princeton, has attracted a wide range of visitors: Buddhists of various traditions, Hindus, Christians and curious passersby. Observers and visitors say the statue has fostered a welcoming environment for multiple faiths, providing a space for meditation, dialogue and understanding.
Daniel Choi, a professor of writing at Princeton University, has been visiting the statue since 2015. Choi, who grew up in a Korean Christian church but now practices Tibetan Buddhism, described the statue and its surroundings as a “nexus” that brings people together. He noted that while Buddhist centers in the United States are often private, the open setting of the Buddhist Vihara in New Jersey encourages both personal contemplation and casual visits. “It really feels like a public shrine,” Choi said, noting the uniqueness of being able to meditate or chant in an environment that blends different traditions and cultural backgrounds. (PA)
Choi observed that visitors and practitioners come from all over the world, noting, "You have Sri Lankans... you have Koreans, like me, or you have Chinese Mahayanas. You have Indian practitioners, new Japanese Buddhists coming in, Nepalese Buddhists. ... It's open, and it's very New Jersey." (PA)
"I've seen Buddhists from different backgrounds practicing," Choi said, adding that the statue also attracts tourists and curious passersby. "They just sit in front of the statue on the benches, enjoy the moment and just drink in the atmosphere." (MSN)
The New Jersey Buddhist Vihara follows Theravada Buddhism, a tradition prominent in Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand, but the center’s organizers say they welcome all Buddhist traditions and other faiths. Choi was pleased to discover a statue of Guan Yin, an integral figure in Mahayana Buddhism, on site. “There’s something for everyone,” he notes, referring to the mix of cultures and practices.
Long-time residents near the A storm have also developed ties with the statue and the community. Local organizations have joined this initiative, including Nepalese community leaders who have coordinated interfaith projects.
One of those people, Tulsi Majarjan, director of Friends of Nepal-NJ, worked to create an interfaith mural near the statue. The artwork features symbols from several world religions, reflecting the cultural richness of the region. “Our Somerset County has become a microcosm of the world,” Majarjan said. (PA)
Majarjan recalls a time when Buddhist practitioners would travel long distances to find a temple. Today, he said he is proud of the region’s religious diversity and accessibility, noting that not far from the A storm were Hindu, Jain and Sikh temples. He described the Buddha statue as a calming presence that left visitors "so calm and serene", while stressing that the effect had to be felt in person. (PA)
Carol Kuehn, 76, a local resident and retired high school teacher, said living next door to the monastery influenced her own spiritual journey. Raised Presbyterian, she was introduced to Buddhism through literature and yoga. After the monks arrived in 2002, she began practicing Buddhism regularly and found it helped her cope with the death of her husband. “The goal of Buddhism is to live in the moment,” she said. “Dealing with grief was a major change in my life. Meditation gave me a way to focus on the positive.” (PA)
Recently, Kuehn joined the A storm abbot, Ven. Hungampola Sirirathana Nakaya Thero, chanting the Pali sutras. She said the towering Buddha symbolized qualities that “fundamentally changed” her life. “It’s something that I can look at and reflect on the qualities that the Buddha represented,” Kuehn said. “It’s peace, understanding, compassion and respect for all.” (The Pinnacle GazetteAP)
See more
Giant Buddha statue in New Jersey becomes interfaith center, spiritual home for many (AP)
A huge Buddha statue appeared on the side of a New Jersey road. Then the worshipers came (MSN)
Buddha statue unites New Jersey's diverse faiths (The Pinnacle Gazette)
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