21 Feb Opening Ceremony for new Vihara Buddhist Temple
On Saturday the 3rd of February we were invited to join in the celebrations, as the Auckland Khmer Buddhist Associated officially opened the new Vihara Buddhist Temple at 455 Porchester Road, Takanini. The opening of the Vihara marked a major milestone for the Association and their development of the site over the last 15 years.
Fraser Thomas have been involved with the project since the site was purchased. Fraser Thomas were instrumental in the Temple being granted resource consents including stormwater discharge and land use consents through a hearing process. Critically for the ongoing sustained use and further development of the Temple, Fraser Thomas successfully negotiated a wastewater connection as the site is located outside of the Rural Urban Boundary.
The Vihara is the first of its kind in New Zealand and represents many hours of hard work by the Association and the resident Monks. Much of the interior and exterior detail features have been completed by the Monks and Association members. The Buddha which forms the focal point of the Vihara was carved out of stone in Cambodia and transported to NZ in two parts. The Buddha weighing approximately 4 tonne is displayed on a specially designed insitu concrete floor.
Celebrations to mark the opening continued on for three days.
Click here for more details about the Vihara temple development.
