Anti-Buddhist Vandalism Denounced in Kentucky

Kentucky, USA (CHAKRA) – Interfaith religion supporters recently denounced acts of vandalism on a Buddhist temple in Louisville, Kentucky.  A local Buddhist temple was vandalized by culprits wanting to spread hatred and fear among the Buddhists in the area.  These acts are counter to the areas efforts to build acceptance and religious tolerance among the community.

The sign on the Phuoc Hau Temple on Old Third Street Road was vandalized with spray paint scribbling Buddha was “in hell” and “Jesus lives” spray painted on walkway leading to the temple.

The Louisville Metro Police are scrutinizing the situation but no leads have been made yet.  An anonymous tip line has been set up for community members to report to if they have seen anything related to the incident.

Terry Taylor, executive director of the group Interfaith Paths to Peace said the act was “despicable” and that regardless of the religion involved, such acts should not go unnoticed.  He also stated that this incident should not be concluded as an act of Christianity but rather of an individual who has a misunderstanding of what the true meaning of religion is all about.  He concluded his statement saying that this incident results in a bad reputation for the city which prides itself in being one that supports multiculturalism and acceptance of all cultures and religions.

Nina Nguyen, a volunteer at the majority Vietnamese temple said that the temple has been vandalized several times in the past and that higher security measures have been taken since to protect the large outdoor Buddha statues which were collapsed in the past.

In hopes of the vandalism stopping, the temple leader had not yet called the police, Nguyen said.

However, “It gets to the point where somebody needs to voice their concerns,” she said.

She also said that some American-born residents came to help clean up the mess with paint remover, after seeing the mess in the news.  A lot of the graffiti was cleaned up with their help.

Rev. Marian McClure Taylor, executive director of the Kentucky Council of Churches openly denounced the act.

She stated, “It’s a horrifying kind of thing because it can create an environment of gloom and a sense of not being welcome.”

“I’m grateful to discover the folks who have suffered this abuse understand clearly this is not representative of Christianity in any way.”

Many Vietnamese and other immigrant Buddhists came to the United States to escape intolerance in their home countries so they really cherish their religious freedom in this country said Thich Hang Dat, leader of the Ten Thousand Buddhas Summit Monastery in Harrison County in Indiana.