The Baumann Monastery is located on the east coast of New York. Besides the unique millennium statue of Avalokitesvara in the Americas, the monastery’s facilities, such as the commemorative library, also attract a large number of scholars who come to study Buddhism and comparative religions. The founder, Madame Ju He Ru, is the wife of Dr. Chen Jiazhen. The couple devoted themselves to the construction of the Baumann Monastery, with Dr. Chen Jiazhen, a prominent figure in American shipping industry, selling all his ships to buy a thousand acres of land in the mountains, forests, and lakes to build the monastery. They established a religious research institute and commissioned the world-renowned architectural designer Dr. Ieoh Ming Pei to design the Avalokitesvara Hall in the style of Tang Dynasty temples, without using any iron nails. Subsequently, the Great Hero Hall and other buildings were added, and eminent monks were invited to reside and preach.

For scholars engaged in academic research, the Ju He Ru Memorial Library is truly a treasure trove, attracting a multitude of intellectuals. In addition to their research, they also produced Buddhist scripture CDs for distribution to benefit people around the world.

Another attraction of the Baumann Monastery is the joint prayer meetings with representatives from various religions. Several times, leading figures from major religions have been invited to the monastery for joint prayers. As seen on television and in the media, about forty to fifty monks and nuns from the nearby Catholic Church of St. Marino were invited to the monastery to pray together with the Buddhists for world peace. The adherents of the two religions stood on separate sides, praying in accordance with their respective rituals, chanting their own chants, and reciting their own prayers under the millennium statue of Avalokitesvara. After the event, the Baumann Monastery hosted a vegetarian meal where both sides dined together, exchanged views, and shared insights. Such harmonious gatherings are rare, and if all religions in the world could interact with such mutual respect and cooperation, it would certainly make a significant contribution to promoting world peace. Unfortunately, only the Catholic Church has shown willingness to cooperate with the Baumann Monastery, while other religions have shown little interest.

If you are traveling to the East Coast of the United States, it is worth visiting the Baumann Monastery for a different spiritual experience. However, there is no guarantee that you will meet Dr. Chen Jiazhen, who has already retired and is living in seclusion. If you are lucky, you may have the chance to hear his occasional lectures.

Address: 2020 Rte 301, Carmel, NY
Category: Monastery
Phone: +1 845-225-1819
Official Website: http://www.baus.org/en/
Opening Hours:
The Baumann Monastery is open to the public according to actual events. For detailed event dates, please visit: http://www.baus.org/en/?cat=108
Ticket Information:
Admission is free.