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Articles
May
Trieu, a Chinese Buddhist, is the
driving force behind the construction of the first Buddhist temple in
the Caribbean: the Nirvana Temple in Estate Mandahl, St. Thomas. Daily
News Photos by SEAN McCOY |
By SEAN McCOY
St. Thomas Source
Monday, May 29th
2006
ST. THOMAS - The turquoise waters and swaying palms of St. Thomas could
not be much farther from the Indian birthplace of Buddhism, but local
practitioners of the eastern religion, as well as others seeking
spiritual enlightenment or simply a clear mind, soon will have a space
for meditation on the northern shore of St. Thomas.
May Trieu, a Chinese Buddhist born in Vietnam at the height of the
Vietnam War, has spearheaded the construction of what will soon be the
first Buddhist temple in the Caribbean: the Nirvana Temple in Estate
Mandahl.
The youngest of 10 children, Trieu said the temple is a long-held dream
of her family. As president of the Trieu Foundation, she has seen that
dream turn to reality in the form of concrete and wood.
"We are building it because we want to promote love, compassion and a
spiritual life," Trieu said as she looked out at the sparkling water
from the second floor of the temple.
Two years and more than $600,000 into the construction of the
three-building compound, soaring ceilings and curved rooftops invite
energies and tropical breezes to flow freely through the buildings.
Trieu said the design concept of feng shui was used to promote
spiritual energy.
The
Nirvana Temple in Estate Mandahl, St. Thomas, under construction in
2006.
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Robert Hoskinson, a carpenter and friend of Trieu, designed the temple
and two-building retreat.
"When you design a space, if done well, it supports the lifestyle and
thinking of the people who will inhabit it," Hoskinson said.
While there may not be a large Buddhist population in the Virgin
Islands, Trieu said, the temple will be a center of engaged Buddhism,
where people of all faiths can practice and learn Buddhist philosophy
and take it into their everyday life.
The concept of engaged Buddhism was founded by the Zen master Thich
Nhat Hanh during the Vietnam War. He was faced with the choice of
continuing meditation or helping people who were affected by the war.
He chose to do both - to help people while being mindful of Buddhist
philosophy.
That philosophy, of self-awareness with a goal to end all suffering,
can help the Virgin Islands be a better place, Trieu said.
Trieu said she also hopes to bring people from around the world to the
temple and the two retreats being built next door to house visitors.
"My wish is to have a permanent Buddhist monk or nun," Trieu said. "We
want to bring spiritual teachers and leaders, meditation masters and
leaders from other religions. Even political leaders or others who work
for peace, love and caring."
Trieu said the temple is still seeking sponsorship to finish the more
than $600,000 of construction remaining. Volunteers for landscaping or
other work will also accepted, she said.
Anyone interested in helping with or sponsoring the temple can contact Dr. May Trieu at 714-2700 or
998-2700.
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