By Tex (David) Allen | September 14, 2013
New additions have been made to the newly decorated entrance area of the Buddhist Temple in Columbia PA USA, including symbolic guardian lions at the building entrance, a large (2 feet in diameter) outdoor incense burner decorated with “Dragon and Phoenix” images, and marble facing for the base of the new 10 foot religious statue soon to be dedicated formally.
Columbia news, views & reviews composite of photos submitted by Tex Allen
The Chua Phap Hoa Buddhist Temple (Buddhist Association Of Pennsylvania USA) located at 203 Cherry Street (corner of South 2nd Street in the Historic District of Columbia PA USA directly across the street from the Wright Mansion of 1750, the oldest historic building in the town) continues toward the completion of what has become a fairly elaborate entrance area, highlighted by the installation recently of a female Buddha religious statue standing 10 feet high (not including the base) and weighing 3 tons (made in Vietnam).
The addition includes two stone guardian lions placed at either side of the South 2nd Street Temple entrance. Lions are important in the tradition of oriental countries.
Almost every country uses certain animals to symbolize one thing or another. In the USA, Americans use the eagle to symbolize freedom and strength. In China, several animals have been given symbolic meaning.
The mythical dragon was used by emperors to represent their supreme authority, the crane stands for longevity, mandarin ducks for love and loyalty, and the crow for bad luck.
In China, the lion is regarded as the king of the forests and of the other animals. It has thus long been used as a symbol of power and grandeur. It is even believed to offer protection from evil spirits. In ancient times, imposing statues of lions were placed at the gates of imperial palaces, official residences, temples and tombs. Incense burners and imperial seals were also often decorated with carved lions.
The Dragon and Phoenix carving on the large new outdoor incense burner at the Buddhist Temple entrance area is located directly in front of the new large female religious statue has important symbolic meaning in the Orient. It is part of the new outdoor incense burner bowl in front of the new large religious statue.
The Phoenix is a mythical bird which traditionally symbolizes virtue, duty, correct behaviour, humanity, reliability (the Five Human Qualities part of Oriental culture and tradition), and also strength, resilience, good fortune, opportunity, luck, and is considered to be the most important of the winged animals.
The Phoenix also symbolizes “yin” energy of yin – yang (an important concept in oriental philosophy and religion in which the balance between opposites is asserted).
The Phoenix and Dragon, seen on the side of the incense bowl in front of the Buddhist Temple outdoor statue, symbolizes wife and husband, signifies wedded bliss, and in ancient times was also a symbol for Empress and Emperor as well as the bird and animal kingdoms or the entire natural world.
The newly designed recently erected entrance display area located exactly at the corner of South 2nd Street and Cherry Street includes an enclosed oriental motif sign proclaiming the temple name and sponsorship (“Buddhist Association Of Pennsylvania Chua Phap Hoa Temple”).
The new sign is topped by three different flag poles which feature flags displayed on temple holidays … the USA flag, the flag of the temple itself (in the center), and also the no longer official flag of the now defunct “Republic Of Vietnam” (1955 – 1975).
The solid yellow and red striped “Republic Of Vietnam (1955 – 1975)” flag is no longer official or used in Vietnam. Since 1975 a reunion of the previously divided Vietnam sections occurred under the leadership of the Democratic Republic Of Vietnam with Hanoi, Vietnam as the capital of the country since 1975.
The Buddhist Temple of Columbia PA USA has a congregation largely made up of immigrants to the USA from Vietnam. Some of the older members of the congregation lived in Vietnam before the country was united in 1975.
A formal dedication ceremony for the new entrance area display of the Chua Phap Hoa Buddhist Temple of Columbia PA USA is expected to take place in coming weeks.
Columbia news, views & reviews 
September 15, 2013 — 9:10 AM
Thank you to Brian Long and the COLUMBIA NEWS, VIEWS, AND REVIEWS on-line publication centering on events and trends in Columbia (Lancaster County) PA USA 17512 for publishing the three articles I wrote, photographed, and submitted regarding the new changes at the Buddhist Temple located in Columbia PA USA.
I was particulatly gratified by the attractive, dramatic, and dynamic arrangement of multiple photos I submitted showing the changes recently created on the outside front entrance area of the Buddhist Temple.
The “group of photos” display part of the Sept. 15, 2013 article about the Buddhist Temple in Columbia PA USA make an important comment about how dynamic the recent changes are.
Thank you for the attractive photo display.
The article I wrote which appeared earlier today, Sept. 15, 2013, is the third of a trilogy of recent articles which appeared in the COLUMBIA NEWS, VIEWS, AND REVIEWS publication beginning August 13 2013, then followed by a second article on September 4, 2013.
These articles provide in-depth information about the Buddhist Temple congregation itself, which is mostly made up of immigrants to the USA from the former Republic Of Vietnam (1955 – 1975) which was replaced by the Democratic Republic Of Vietnam in 1975 when the Vietnam War ended.
The arrival of almost 2 million Vietnamese immigrants to the USA has included a small but important East Coast USA group with Vietnamese origins, and the Buddhist Temple in Columbia PA USA is an important part of the need for religion, culture, and social support sought by the new arrivals.
This group is, of course, welcome, and it is gratifying to see the attractive work they have done to improve the building they obtained for their Columbia PA USA Buddhist Temple (the building was originally a large Methodist Church erected in Columbia PA USA in 1852).
Other non-English speaking groups have also arrived in recent times and set up churches and religious centers in Columbia PA USA.
Two such non-English language groups have set up churches in recent times only one block from the Buddhist Temple, located at 203 Cherry Street (Corner of South 2nd St.) in Columbia PA USA.
One is the French language speaking HAITIAN MARANTHA BIBLE CHURCH, “La Premiere Assemblee (Hatienne) Francophone De Central Pennsylvania” group located at 229 Locust Street, Columbia PA USA 17512 next door to the Chickies Rock Moose Lodge 307 building located at 219 Locust Street.
A sign displayed in front of the church building invites further inquiry and offers information about the group at http://WWW.HatianMBCPa.Com website, and also a contact phone number for “Reverend Benjamin” at (717) 203 – 0941.
A Spanish language religious congregation is now located at 236 Cherry Street, Corner of South 3rd St. in Columbia PA USA The group is called the “ASAMBLIA DE IGLESIAS PENTECOSTALES DE JESUCRISTO, INC., and the pastor, Reverend Emerita Perales, is identified on the information sign in front of the church.
The church building in which the above Spanish language group worships was at one time the location of the Trinity Protestant Church, and memorial plack dedicating “Pennebacker Hall” in memory of “Reverend J. B. Pennebacker, D.D. 1883 – 1929” is still attached to the building and on display next to the entrance door located at 236 Cherry St., Columbia PA 17512.
A second Spanish language church organization located in Columbia PA USA is named IGLESIA DE DIOS PENTECOSTAL “Marantha” and is located across the street from the Columbia PA USA US Post Office. The IGLESIA DE DIOS PENTECOSTAL “Marantha” is located at 28 North 4th St., Columbia PA USA and is situated in what were formerly commericial retail store space locations, not in a former church building.
These non-English language churchs are relatively newly arrived in Columbia PA and they mirror important changes in Columbia PA USA, Lancaster County USA, the state of Pennsylvania USA, and changes in the overall USA itself.
Large numbers of newly arrived persons from Asia, South America and other offshore locations have travelled to the USA and are establishing themselves successfully, and also setting up religious and cultural centers of the sort described above located in Columbia PA USA.
Given the dramatic population changes and increases during the past 50 years for the entire world (world population went from 2 Billion persons to 7 Billion persons from the 1950’s to the present time), immigration to the USA by persons from foreign countries with population increases, etc. is very likely to continue.
Thank you to COLUMBIA NEWS, VIEWS, AND REVIEWS for telling the story of newly arrived immiagrants to Columbia PA USA.
More information about these changes and groups part of the changes is needed, and COLUMBIA NEWS, VIEWS, AND REVIEWS provides a very important service to the community it serves when these groups and activity part their arrival and interests is described carefully and accurately, ideally with accompanying photos.
Tex (Davud) Allen, Columbia PA USA
A very interesting and educational article about the Buddhist Temple ! They certainly have created a beautiful landmark, but I am wondering what they do to help Columbia ? For example, do they run social programs to help the needy ? do they pay real estate taxes ? do they shop and bring business to Columbia ? We do need and appreciate church involvement with social programs, so hopefully they can start an “egg roll day” or something like that for the homeless !
They pay no taxes! Just like all other religious groups!
This town and county is a PIPELINE for Foreigners!!
Some of the local evangelical Churches do have excellent community outreaches such as free breakfast, clothing drives, winter shelters, and delicious fauxnut doughnuts !
Why is it that non profits don’t have to pay real estate taxes ? , when some of them are made up of members that are quite well to do ? Is this a federal law, or a local law ??
Great question, Mr./Ms. Ghost … Especially interesting when you consider the spate of businesses/organizations/trusts operating under the not-for-profit umbrella. We don’t know the answer to your question, but here’s the IRS statute: http://www.irs.gov/irm/part7/irm_07-025-003.html
Found this narrative about the difference between for profit’s and non-profit’s:http://www.eecjacksonville.com/resources/faqs-about-small-business/for-profit-versus-non-profit
And this recent article in the Harrisburg Patriot-News (http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/06/post_585.html) says property taxes are “locally determined.” As does this one written by attorney Patty Spencer: http://www.spencerlawfirm.com/Publications/TAX-EXEMPTIONS-FOR-NONPROFITS-INCOME-PROPERTY-OR-BOTH.shtml
Interesting Articles ! I wonder what the total value of Real Estate in Columbia owned by Non Profits and Off the tax role might be ? When you add up all Churches and Church Owned Property ( which I imagine includes parsonages, houses, etc.), all Group Homes, All Retirement Homes, All Private Schools and School owned property, All Hospitals, Medical Centers, Clinics, Community Centers, Libraries, etc., I bet it is a staggering number!
And, with the Big Buildings and Big Houses selling for peanuts in Columbia, I wonder how many more will be sold into the hands of non profits over the next ten years ?
Maybe Columbia Borough could put a some kind of a moratorium on any future properties coming off the tax roles ?, and/or have a special rate for non-profits, but not zero !
Speaking of the local “well to do”, is everyone aware that a local building owned by a Columbia resident is OFF the tax roll because church services are being held there? Give you a hint, its in the 200 block of Locust Street. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
That sounds very political ! I thought that the property had to be owned by the non profit to come off the tax rolls ? I guess it’s all about who you know or what your last name is 🙂 Just don’t let the word get out – or everyone in town that owns a building or a big house will be advertising to rent it to a Church !
This was included in a Columbia news, views & reviews article about property reassesments from May, 2011: “Appeals may be granted after review; appeals for modified assessment are considered for numerous reasons including: disabled veteran status, property assumed by a registered and approved charitable organization or religious entity. (For instance, this mention from the October, 2010 Assessment Office minutes – ‘LUTZ BIXLER REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIP (Installment sale to Haitian Maranatha Bible Church, Inc.) A motion was made by Mr. Bechtold and seconded by Mr. Fry to approve exemption for the property on Locust Street, parcel number 110-48632-0-0000 located in Columbia Borough. The exemption will be effective beginning with the 2010-2011 School and 2011 County and Municipal tax years. Motion passed.’)”
Its all about WHO YOU ARE!! All these people that are well off wants MORE, MORE, and MORE! Kleen-Rite pays little tax or nothing at all! Under the economic committee! Alot of owners don’t even live in this town. :O(