Chuang Yen Monastery

Introduction

Chuang Yen Monastery is situated in the wooded hills of Carmel, New York, one of the largest Chinese Buddhist monasteries in North America. Founded by Master Yin Shun in 1976, the monastery covers extensive grounds. The main Mahavira Hall enshrines a sixteen foot tall wooden Amitabha Buddha statue, the largest indoor wooden Buddha statue in the United States, exceptionally solemn and magnificent. The monastery also has Guanyin Hall, Ksitigarbha Hall, and a sutra library, with architecture blending traditional Chinese temple forms and North American mountain settings, featuring flying eaves and yellow tiles prominent among green trees. The monastery regularly holds Chan and Buddha retreats, Dharma lectures, and short term monastic experiences, attracting Buddhist practitioners from across America. The surrounding forest trails are serene with views of Carmel Lake, an ideal retreat for New York metropolitan residents seeking spiritual peace and Eastern cultivation culture.

✨ Highlights

🛈 Practical Info