Mahayana Temple is the "City Campus" of Eastern States Buddhist Temple of America, Inc., which found in 1962, is the oldest Chinese Buddhist temple on the eastern coast of the United States. It was found by Mrs. Annie Ying, and funded by her husband Mr. James Ying.

"The Temple" - Eastern States Buddhist Temple

The Temple, was initially founded to fulfill the needs of Chinese Buddhists in the greater New York area and held its first services in a 20 by 20 space at 1544 Broadway in the rear part of Mr. Ying’s store at 1544 Broadway. In 1962, Eastern States Buddhist Temple was officially registered and then rented its own space at 64 Mott St.. 50 years later, The Temple is still located there and had become a landmark and a community fixture.

"Retreat" - Mahayana Temple

Years went by and The Temple had many Visiting Abbots. Some lectured for six to twelve months and returned to China. Others choose to remain in the United States and establish their own temples. By 1969 there are more than enough Buddhist temples to serve all the Chinese population in Greater New York. However, even the best were just storefront temples. A temple and abbey such as the ones in China is needed for the Buddhists who want to go on retreat.

The Mahayana Temple Main Hall in south Cairo was finally completed and the dedication ceremony took place on Sept. 25th, 1971. Since then, over the years, the Kwan Yin Hall, followed by the Dee Tsang Hall, the Earth Spirit Hall, the Seven Storied Jade Buddha Pagoda, and finally the 500 Arhat Hall were built and dedicated. Some neighboring lands were also purchased when they came on the market. The Mahayana campus now has about 166.5 acres.

"City Campus" - Mahayana Temple

Having spent several decades in building and completing the first Chinese Buddhist retreat in New York, Mrs. Ying then stopped and looked around to see what else is needed in Greater New York. She discovered that the Buddhist temples in the city area, even after these many years, still essentially all are storefront temples. They are too small for any sizable functions for the parishioners. So, Mrs. Annie Ying then built Mahayana (City Campus) Temple in the center of New York’s Chinatown. It was dedicated on lunar date March 3rd in 1997 in honor of Mr. James Ying’s 83rd birthday,.

The Eastern States Buddhist Temple and the two Mahayana Temples now stands ready to serve all those who seek a better life on earth as well as a better after-life.

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