THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 5, 1994 TAG: 9406040115
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANELLE LA BOUVE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940605 LENGTH: Long
``It's very hot in Vietnam,'' explained Adam Nguyen, whose family donated the land for the temple and and directed its construction. ``We leave the building open. We like fresh air.''
{REST} Along one temple wall, a mural, showing trees and flowers along the banks of winding river, forms the backdrop for a large statue of Buddha. In front of Buddha's statue is an altar, where offerings from nature - fresh-cut roses, gladiolas and iris and bowls of fruit - are placed.
``Fruit is offered because it causes no suffering to animals,'' Nguyen explained.
About 55 members of the Buddhist faith, mostly Vietnamese, gather at the Chesapeake temple each week. They leave their shoes on the porchlike structure which borders the building on three sides.
Upon entering they are greeted by the fragrance of incense, which serves as a reminder to them that life is not permanent. Some remain standing long enough to slip into gray robes, which signify that outside appearance is of no im-portance.
The believers, ranging from people in their early 20s to gray-haired seniors, seat themselves cross-legged on oriental rugs facing the Buddha. Some fold their hands and close their eyes.
As light pours in through skylights in the high ceiling, Dat Thong Thich, a monk dressed in a long, yellow robe, begins to chant.
Thich leads the hour-long service. The monk and the believers read responsively in the Vietnamese language from the teachings of Buddha.
Buddha was born about 563 B.C. in southern Nepal. His real name was Siddhartha Gautama. He was a member of a rich and powerful royal family. At the age of about 29, Gautama became overwhelmed with the conviction that life was filled with suffering and unhappiness. This conviction led him to seek enlightenment as a wandering monk.
After traveling throughout northeastern India for several years, Gautama experienced enlightenment. He believed he had discovered why life was filled with suffering and how people could escape from this unhappy existence. After others learned of his discovery, they called him Buddha, which means ``Enlightened One.''
Buddhists are taught a number of basic precepts: Refrain from killing, refrain from stealing, refrain from lying, refrain from adultery and refrain from intoxication because it kills brain cells.
Buddha's teachings include respect for the law and for elders. The importance of family unity is stressed.
``In Buddhism, you are aware of the teachings, and you try to observe them, rather than follow them as a commandment,'' Adam Nguyen explained. ``. . . Many people talk about religion. They learn the history and the stories, then they don't practice.''
He said Buddhists wear robes to show that the difference between people is in their thinking, that appearance is insignificant.
``In Buddhism, women and men are all created equal,'' he said.
Sitting on the floor during the service aids in meditation and relaxation, he said.
``We keep ourselves very quiet to direct our thoughts inward,'' said Nguyen, who teaches both yoga and a form of karate.
The monk comes to the Chesapeake temple once every two weeks from Washington, D.C. Local laymen take turns leading the service when the monk is not present. Young people are encouraged to participate so they can learn how it's done, Nguyen said.
Sundays at the temple are filled with activity.
At about 11 a.m., Nguyen's wife, Ngoc, teaches a group of Buddhist Scouts, who range in age from 7 to 23.
``We emphasize morality, family issues and Buddha's teachings,'' said Ngoc Nguyen, 39. ``Right now we have 27 children.'' The Scouts are divided into groups based on their comprehension.
``Some speak English,'' she said. ``But some just came to this country and don't speak English.'' The Scouts learn to sing and to be leaders. In fact, some of them assist in teaching Scouts who are new to the program.
They are taught to respect others and themselves. Simple lessons in morality are learned, too: Do good. Do no evil.
A lot of time is spent learning what Nguyen referred to as the five Buddhist conducts:
Be diligent and hard-working.
Have compassion.
Have loving kindness.
Exercise forgiveness.
Seek wisdom and purity.
``We explain to the children that they should live the conducts every day,'' Ngoc Nguyen said.
Leaders tell stories from Buddha's life to reinforce the teachings.
``The young children are very impressed by the life of Buddha,'' Ngoc Nguyen said. ``They love Buddha, and they try to imitate his life.''
In 1988 about 10 Buddhists met for the first time at the Nguyens' home in Virginia Beach. After two years, the number had grown to 30, and the group undertook plans to build a permanent meeting place.
The temple was financed primarily through donations.
``We really appreciate having our own place to worship,'' said Ngoc Nguyen, who came to the United States with her family in 1975. ``We used to have to go to Washington, D.C. That was the nearest place. We wanted to have a Buddhist center in this area.''
Hien Nguyen was one of the people who joined the attended the weekly gathering at Adam Nguyen's home. Hien, 29, came to the United States 12 years ago. He is a graduate of Oscar Smith High School, Old Dominion University, Georgia Institute of Technology. Currently he is pursuing a doctorate degree from Virginia Tech.
``It meant a lot to me to find a group of Buddhists,'' said Hien Nguyen. ``It's a place we could socialize and learn new things about life and a place to meet nice people. They have all been very kind to me,'' said Hien Nguyen, an engineer for the Navy.
``Before, we met in a house,'' he said. ``Now that we have the temple we have something of our own. It's just like the temple in our country. Most of all, we own the property. We're very proud to have it.''
Matt Phan, a 19-year-old junior at Oscar Smith High School, attends services at the temple every Sunday.
``To me it is important to have the temple to go to because I can keep my tradition and follow on with the religion of my family,'' Phan said. ``It is very important to me that I should go because since my mother is dead, I go to the temple and pray for her.''
by CNB