As some of you may be aware the Community of Khmer Buddhist Monks (CKBM) recently purchased a plot of land in the Pawtucketville neighborhood of Lowell with the intetion of building a temple, school, and retreat center on the site. Unfortunately a series of missteps has led to a confrontation with neighboring residents. The Lowell Sun printed an article on December 15 that gives the latest news on this onoing saga, which inspired me to write the following letter to the Editor, presently pending publication published in the December 27 issue of the newspaper.
As a practicing Buddhist, environmentalist, and resident of Pawtucketville, it is with concern that I read of the allegations about the development of the CKBM temple on Varnum Avenue. While I support the CKBM’s plans, I also strongly encourage them to work harder to keep good relations with their neighbors.
The Buddha established a strict code of conduct for the members of his monastic order, the Sangha. By and large these rules were developed in order to maintain harmony not only within the Sangha but also between the monks and the surrounding community. It is in this spirit that I hope the CKBM would encourage all who are involved in the temple project to be more mindful of their actions and the results of those actions.
One allegation that I find particularly troubling is the reported taking of soil from the Boys and Girls Club for use by the CKBM at the site of the new temple. Taking that which is not freely offered is a clear transgression of the precepts observed by lay Buddhists. I presume the individuals involved did so with neither the intention to harm nor the understanding that the soil belonged to someone else. Nonetheless it is imperative that apologies and restitution be made to those who were wronged.
I also trust the developers will go “above and beyond” to address the environmental concerns of the Conservation Commission and the Pawtucketville Citizens Council. Respect for our natural surroundings has always been important to followers of the Buddha. None other than the late patriarch of Cambodian Buddhism, the Ven. Samdech Preah Maha Ghosananda, wrote: “When we respect the environment, then nature will be good to us. When our hearts are good, then the sky will be good to us. The trees are like our mother and father, they feed us, nourish us, and provide us with everything; the fruit, leaves, the branches, the trunk. They give us food and satisfy many of our needs. So we spread the dharma (truth) of protecting ourselves and protecting our environment, which is the dharma of Buddha.”
If the CKBM wishes to enjoy the respect and goodwill of their Pawtucketville neighbors, they must offer the same. Maintaining one’s integrity is the best way to put the teachings of the Buddha into practice and serve as an example for others
