Initial Establishment

• It was initially established in 2006 by Rev. Thich Hang Dat at 5644 New Cut Rd., Louisville, KY 40214.

Denomination Fellowship

• The congregation follows the Quy Nguong Zen Buddhist tradition and is led by Dr. Rev. Thich Hang Dat, a student of the renown Zen Teacher, Hsuan Hua, in an unbroken Zen lineage to the historical Shakyamuni Buddha.

New Location

• After acquiring 15.5 acres of land in 2015, The center was moved to the current location.

Affiliations

• Since it was established by Rev. Thich Hang Dat, it has an affiliation with the Ten Thousand Buddha Summit Monastery, Corydon, Indiana.

Time Frame of the New Construction

• After obtaining proper legal documents and permits, it was built in early Spring of 2018 and finished in the Summer of 2019.

The Congregation

• It is an organization of Buddhist monastic and laity communities that emphasize on practicing Buddhist Mindfulness, Loving-Kindness, Broadmindedness, and Skillfulness that are beneficial to family, community, and society.

The Motto

• "A Compassionate Mind, A Benevolent Life."

The Goals

• Strengthen interaction and communication with other religious traditions to work on issues and problems of common interests locally, nationally, and worldly by creating a friendly relationship among Buddhists and others.
• Promote loving-kindness and compassionate attitudes.
• Widen life perspective of Buddhists and others.
• Support the faith of Buddhists and others.
• Offer a righteous path for Buddhists and others.
• Establish a peaceful, mindful, and joyful environments for Buddhists and others by setting up a retreat center and worship place for spiritual development.
• Preserve the life of all, including animals.
• Provide religious education and charitable enhancements for the Buddhist communities and general public.
• Promote mutual assistance and understanding among the Buddhist communities throughout the world.
• Promote individual peace of mind, compassion for all beings, spiritual growth and an ethical way of life based on Buddhist principles.

Practice of the Resident Monastic and Lay Communities

• Follow the Buddhist moral codes.
• Do meditation, called Zen school, that belongs to the Wei-yang lineage.
• Study Buddha's teachings, called the Scholastic School.
• Recite Mantras, called the Esoteric, or "Secret School".
• Chant the Buddha's name, called the Pure Land School.

The Residents’ Diets

• Pure vegetarian, by following Buddhist compassionate attitude towards animals.

The Congregation’s Cardinal codes

• Laity members: Keep five basic standards, namely no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no telling lie, and no taking intoxicant.
• Monastic members: Uphold the traditional precepts to be qualified for a religious leader, peacemaker, and healer.

The Moral Conducts of the Members

• Law-abiding people.
• Have responsible and mutual relationships.
• Carry out a proper livelihood.
• Maintain a virtuous religious life.
• Possess proper knowledge and perspective of life.
• Pay respect to and seek refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
• Harmonize with others in family, community, and society.

The Daily Attitudes of the Laity Members

• Be mindful and responsible in thoughts, actions, and communications within family, community, and society.
• Be opened-minded toward others' traditions.
• Be tolerant in any situation.
• Be cooperative and supportive to anyone in family, community, and society.
• Be grateful and thankful for the supports of family, community, and society.

The Daily Practical Guidelines of the Laity Members

• Meditate at least ten minutes.
• Pay obeisance to the Buddhas few times.
• Chant the Buddha's name, Buddhist sutras, or Buddhist mantras.
• Be ready for helping others regardless background, race, color, or ethic.

The Basic Criteria of the Affairs

• Culture to propagate Buddhism.
• Education to foster talent.
• Charity to benefit society.
• Religious services to enhance spiritual development and transform people's minds and behavior.
• Encourage an interfaith approach to understand and live in harmony with other traditions.

The Activities

• Provide a retreat center for spiritual development.
• Foster an interfaith environment between Buddhism and other traditions.
• Offer religious and Buddhist educations to benefit and awaken oneself and others.
• Support Buddhist cultural work via arts and literature, translation of sutras, and presentation of Buddhist teaching.
• Engage in social work, charity, and service for community and society.
• Support Buddhist education, uphold religious standards, and improve the availability of resources in order to nurture skills and talents of people.
• The True wealth of the Members:
• To have wealth and skill.
• To focus on wisdom and faith.
• To be mindful and peaceful.
• To give and take.
• To own and allocate.