Venerable Monastics of the Sangha,
Dear Buddhist devotees and Vietnamese community members near and far,
Phat Son temple – Buddha Mountain Center (BMC), located in the City of Roanoke, Virginia, USA, began construction in July 2025. To date, the following milestones have been completed:
- Clearing of trees, site cleanup, and grading in accordance with the approved design plans.
- Connection of the fire-suppression water line to the on-site fire hydrant.
- Connection of the domestic (potable) water system.
- Connection of the sanitary sewer system to the city sewer line.
- Installation of a stormwater drainage system directing rainwater to the retention pond.
- Completion of Phase 1 of the stormwater retention pond.
- Completion of the parking lot base (stone foundation); asphalt paving has not yet been completed.
- Construction of a concrete retaining wall to prevent rainwater runoff onto neighboring properties.
- Seeding and planting grass throughout the entire temple grounds.
The total cost paid to Bowman Company for the above nine items is USD 404,299.00.
To complete the remaining site development (infrastructure), the Temple still needs to carry out the following work: landscaping and tree planting according to the design, asphalt paving for the temple entrance road and parking lot, completion of the wastewater filtration system for the retention pond, connection of the electrical system, connection of the gas system, and several other related items. The estimated cost for these remaining items is approximately USD 350,000.00.
Dear community members,
The above amounts do not include the USD 130,000.00 paid to Parker Design Company and related expenses required by the County for occupancy and operating permits. As the Temple’s contract with Bowman Company runs through April 30, 2026, we respectfully and earnestly request the support of Buddhist devotees and benefactors everywhere so that the site development can be completed on schedule. After that, the Sangha and community will proceed to the next phase: construction of the main temple buildings at 4904 Buddha Mountain Road, Roanoke, VA 24012.
BMC is located in Roanoke, Virginia—a small city approximately three hours’ drive from major Vietnamese communities such as Eden Center. As there are relatively few Vietnamese residents in the area, the Temple faces significant financial challenges in building this monastery.
In a previous letter, our presentation may have caused some misunderstanding. Therefore, today we would like to clarify our intentions more clearly. Building a temple is a meaningful and collective endeavor, undertaken by all who share karmic affinity and goodwill. Thus, we humbly ask each person to contribute $1 per day, or $1 per week, or $1 per month, or whatever amount is within your means. As the saying goes, small drops of water, over time, will fill a great lake.
At present, the Temple is inviting devotees to sponsor Avalokiteśvara (Guanyin) Bodhisattva relief statues to be enshrined in the Temple. Donors’ names will be engraved beneath the statues. Offerings may be made as a one-time donation or divided into installments over one year or several years until completed. These Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva reliefs will be installed on the walls of the main Dharma Hall of Buddha Mountain Temple. Please contact Venerable Thích Chúc Độ for details.
In addition, the Temple offers a program called “Piggy Bank for Building a Sacred Temple”, which may be placed in private homes or business establishments so that friends and family may cultivate merit together. If you are interested in participating, please let Venerable Chúc Độ know, and a piggy bank will be sent to you.
A Brief Introduction to Venerable Thích Chúc Độ and Buddha Mountain Temple
Venerable Thích Chúc Độ, was born in 1978 in Quảng Nam, Vietnam. He entered monastic life in 1990 at Đông Hưng Patriarchal Temple in Saigon, founded by the eminent monk Venerable Thích Hành Trụ.
In 2005, he completed his studies at the Buddhist College and earned a master’s degree in linguistics. He later immigrated to the United States (Virginia Beach, VA), where he assisted with Buddhist activities at Đông Hưng Temple – Virginia Beach.
In 2010, together with Venerables Chúc Hội and Chúc Thanh, he helped rebuild Đông Hưng Temple and has continued to care for its religious activities at 423 Davis St., Virginia Beach, VA to this day.
From 2012 to 2017, he assisted in revitalizing the activities of Từ Lâm Temple in South Carolina.
In December 2017, together with his disciples, he organized the first Buddhist retreat for devotees in the Roanoke area. After holding three gatherings at rented hotel halls and recognizing the strong need for spiritual practice and community activities, on July 24, 2018, he officially established Chùa Phật Sơn – Buddha Mountain Center at 5535 Florist Rd., Roanoke, VA 24012.
In April 2024, the Temple began offering English-language services and activities for local Americans. These initial efforts have attracted many native English speakers to study the Dharma through Buddhist 101 classes, meditation sessions, and other services.
Although BMC began with a modest space, it has become a shared spiritual home for everyone. However, due to the lack of adequate parking and space to build a proper and dignified main hall, the Sangha and devotees made a great vow to build a new Chùa Phật Sơn – Buddha Mountain Center at 4904 Buddha Mountain Road, Roanoke, VA 24012. The new temple is being built on 2.7 acres of land, initially without utilities. Roanoke County has granted construction permits and approved the road name Buddha Mountain Road.
On August 24, 2024, the Temple respectfully invited Most Venerable Thích Trí Hoằng (Texas), together with many monastics and Tibetan lamas, to preside over and bless the groundbreaking ceremony.
As of January 2026, the construction has completed the items outlined at the beginning of this report.
Venerable elders and dear Buddhist devotees,
The Buddha-Dharma flourishes through the propagation of the Sangha;
The prosperity of the monastery depends on the wholehearted support of lay devotees.
We deeply understand that building a temple is a great undertaking that cannot be accomplished by only a few individuals. We sincerely invite everyone to join hands in support, so that this remote mountainous region of Roanoke may have a temple with sufficient space for practice, learning, and community activities—serving also as a cultural and spiritual center and a place to honor our ancestors and loved ones.
May we respectfully wish everyone a New Year Bính Ngọ – 2026, filled with boundless blessings and auspiciousness.
With deep respect,
Bhikshu Thích Chúc Độ
