THE TEMPLE
from different perspectives

View of the Shrine Room

Front view of the Temple

Entrance to the Temple. The Guardstones are replicas 
of the ancient Guardstones belonging to the First Millennium
found in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka,

Bhante Kondanna, the Chief Abbot of the Staten Island Buddhist Vihara

New York State Asian American Heritage Celebration 2001
was held on May 17th, 2001 in New York City. On this occasion 
Governor George Pataki, Governor of New York State
 issued a Proclamation declaring the month of May
as Asian American Heritage Month.

Chief Abbot of Staten Island Buddhist Vihara
Ven Kondanna Thera with Gov. George Pataki
at the celebrations.

Gov. Pataki autographs a
Program copy for
Ven. Kondanna Thera

RESIDENT MONKS

Ven. Higgoda Khemananda Nayake Thera

Ven. Kudagammana Seelaratana Thera

Ven. Pinnagala Pangnatissa Thera
 

Ven Koswatte Sumanawansa Thera

VESAK CELEBRATIONS

A unique Pandal was constructed for the Vesak celebrations.
In the tradition of the numerous massive pandals
put up in Sri Lanka during Vesak a renowned Sri Lankan
artist and several volunteers helped to construct a pandal 
at the Staten Island Buddhist Vihara. 
 

A Buddha statue adjacent to the pandal

The pandal depicting 'Sera Vaanija Jatkaya'

Ven. Kururnegoda Piyatissa Nayake Thero
who presided over the opening ceremonies.

The Artist and the Volunteers who erected the pandal

KATINA POOJA CEREMONY - 2004