by Tex (David) Allen

“Official Upgraded Front Building Facade Dedication and Buddhist Statue Unveiling Ceremony Celebration Set For Next Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 10 AM”

The new front building improvements at the Chua Phap Hoa Buddhist Temple (Buddhist Association Of Pennsylvania USA) located at 203 Cherry Street, Columbia PA 17512 USA will be dedicated next Sunday, November 3, 2013 at 10 AM.

All are invited, and vegetarian refreshments will be served for visitors and congregation members following the dedication in the Buddhist Temple meeting hall.

Work building improvements to the front entrance of the Buddhist Temple has been in progress for 3 months, and is nearing completion.

The newly re-designed front building area includes an oriental motif covered roof sign, a 10 foot high female Buddhist image statue set on top of a 3 foot high polished marble facade base, a marble “fire bowl” decorated with classical “Phoenix And Dragon” figures for flame ceremonies in the future, and two large marble type “guardian lions” set on either side of the main South 2nd Street entrance to the Buddhist Temple.

The improvement area has been partially repaved with a flat cement surface and a small staircase leading from the street to the new statuary/ ceremonial fire bowl, sign area.

Attractive flowers have been placed to decorate the new improvement area, and also on the South 2nd Street (corner of Cherry Street) front lawn.

Several Columbia PA USA neighbors living near the Buddhist Temple have commented on the attractive decor and understated good taste they feel characterizes the newly improved area.

“It’s a wonderful addition to the S. 2nd Street/ Cherry Street area,” stated one Columbia PA USA resident.  “Very attractive and interesting.”

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.

Details about the Buddhist Temple and the new improvements were reported in the Columbia news, views & reviews’ recent editions dated August 13, September 4 and September 15, 2013 which included multiple color photos.   
 
These articles, written by Columbia PA resident Tex (David) Allen along with photo he took, can be obtained by visiting the Columbia news, views & reviews website, choosing the “Archives” icon on the home page, and then using “Buddhist Temple” as a search term for input on the “Archives” page.