A nine-meter tall Buddha statue, one of the largest in the United States, has become a spiritual and cultural focal point near a state highway in Franklin Township, near Princeton, New Jersey. Erected a decade ago in the backyard of the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara and Meditation Center, the statue reflects a vision of religious inclusivity and community outreach, built under the guidance of Sri Lankan Theravada monk, Venerable Hungampola Sirirathana Nakaya Thero

The unusual location of the statue—just off Route 27 near Princeton—has drawn a diverse range of visitors: Buddhists of various traditions, Hindus, Christians, and curious passersby. Observers and visitors say that the statue has fostered an environment welcoming to multiple faiths, offering a space for meditation, dialogue, and understanding.

Princeton University writing instructor Daniel Choi has been visiting the statue since 2015. Choi, who grew up attending a Korean Christian church but now practices Tibetan Buddhism, described the statue and its surrounding grounds as a “nexus” that brings people together. He noted that while Buddhist centers in the US are often private, the New Jersey Buddhist Vihara’s open setting encouraged both personal contemplation and casual drop-ins. “It definitely feels like a public shrine,” said Choi, emphasizing the uniqueness of being able to meditate or chant in an environment that blended different traditions and cultural backgrounds. (AP)

Choi observed that visitors and practitioners hail from all over the world, remarking, “you have Sri Lankans…you have Koreans, such as myself, or you have Chinese Mahayanas. You have people who are Indian practicing, you have new Japanese Buddhists coming in, you have Nepalese Buddhists. … it’s open, and that’s very New Jersey.” (AP)

“I’ve seen Buddhists of different stripes practicing,” Choi said, adding that the statue also drew curious tourists and passersby. “They just sit in front of the statue on the benches, take in the moment and just drink in the vibe.” (MSN)

The New Jersey Buddhist Vihara follows Theravada Buddhism, a tradition prominent in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, but the center’s organizers say they welcome all Buddhist traditions as well as other faiths. Choi was pleased to discover a statue of Guan Yin—a figure integral to Mahayana Buddhism—on the premises. “There’s something for everyone,” he remarked, referring to the mixture of cultures and practices there.

Longtime residents near the vihara have also developed connections to the statue and the community. Local organizations have joined in, including Nepali community leaders who have coordinated interfaith projects.

One such individual, Tulsi Majarjan, a director at the Friends of Nepal-NJ, worked on creating an interfaith mural near the statue. The artwork displays symbols from multiple world religions, reflecting the region’s cultural richness. “Our Somerset County has become a microcosm of the world,” said Majarjan. (AP)

Majarjan recalled a time when Buddhist practitioners traveled long distances to find a temple. Today, he expressed pride in the region’s religious diversity and accessibility, noting that not far from the vihara were Hindu, Jain, and Sikh temples. He called the Buddha statue a calming presence that left visitors “feeling so calm and collected,” although he stressed that the effect must be experienced in person. (AP)

Local resident and retired high school teacher, 76-year-old Carol Kuehn, said living next door to the monastery had influenced her own spiritual journey. Raised Presbyterian, she was introduced to Buddhism through literature and yoga. After the monks arrived in 2002, she began practicing Buddhism regularly and found it helped her cope with the death of her husband. “The whole point of Buddhism is to live in the moment,” she said. “That’s been a major change in my life, dealing with grief. Meditation gave me a way to focus on the positive.” (AP)

On a recent evening, Kuehn joined the vihara’s abbot, Ven. Hungampola Sirirathana Nakaya Thero, in chanting Pali sutras. She said the towering Buddha symbolized qualities that had “fundamentally changed” her life. “It’s something I can look at and think about the qualities that the Buddha stood for,” said Kuehn. “It’s peace, understanding, compassion, and respect for all.” (The Pinnacle Gazette, AP)

See more

Giant statue of the Buddha in New Jersey becomes interfaith hub and spiritual home for many (AP)
A huge Buddha statue appeared by a road in New Jersey. Then the worshippers came (MSN)
Buddha Statue Unites New Jersey’s Diverse Faiths (The Pinnacle Gazette)

Related news reports from BDG

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Attends Prayer Ceremony in New York City
Buddhist Monks Near the End of Their Walk for Peace from Florida to New York
Lawsuit Alleges Decades of Sexual Assault at Tibetan Buddhist Monastery in New York
Dalai Lama Library and Learning Center Inaugurated in Upstate New York
Diwali Becomes a Public School Holiday in New York City
Giant Statue of the Buddha To Be Inaugurated in Brazil
Giant Buddha Statue Unveiled in Iowa