Only in America... Planners urge monks to close down temple

Planners urge monks to close down their temple

By Deirdre Fernandes, The Virginian-Pilot, August 14, 2008
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA (USA) -- The Buddhist monks urged patience Wednesday, but for several Virginia Beach Planning Commissioners the clock had run out.

In a 6-4 vote, the planning commission recommended that the monks shut down their temple in a brick ranch house off West Neck Road in rural Virginia Beach.

The Buddhist Education Center of America Inc. had requested a two-year extension to a permit issued last August by the City Council that allowed the organization to hold worship services in the house.

The master Buddhist monk lives in the house, along with some younger monks, and worshippers come there on Sundays and for three celebrations during the year.

The monks have unsuccessfully tried to find a new location for the master's house and temple. Selling the nearly $1 million home in this real-estate market is almost impossible, said Morris Fine, an attorney representing the monks.

http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=61,6967,0,0,1,0

Buddhist monk granted special approval for group gatherings in Leighton Township
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=62,6966,0,0,1,0

LEIGHTON TOWNSHIP, MI (USA) -- Buddhist monk Thomas Nguyen will be able to continue have group gatherings at his home after receiving special approval from the Township Planning Commission Wednesday.

Nguyen turned his two-stall garage on Division Avenue south of 144th Street near Moline into a meditation room. The ranch-style brick home sits on 5 acres. Nguyen has been inviting people over mostly for Saturday and Sunday meditations.

That all threatened to come to an end this spring when Township Supervisor Spencer Moore visited the home, citing Nguyen with a zoning violation.

Nguyen lives in an area zoned for agricultural uses. Churches are not allowed in those zones.


http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=62,6966,0,0,1,0

Grand Rapids attorney Marc Freed, who also is a student of Nguyen's, suggested Nguyen seek the special land use for a home occupation. He cited a federal law called the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act that prevents local zoning officials from discriminating against or burdening religious groups.