Fo Guang Shan Chung Mei Buddhist Temple

USA, Texas, Houston

Chung Mei means Middle America. The temple is located in Stafford in the Greater Houston area, and is a branch temple established by Fo Guang Shan. Construction started in 1998 and during the groundbreaking ceremony Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan, was recognized as an Honorary Citizen of Houston. The mayor of Houston declared June 20th as Fo Guang Day.
The temple occupies approximately 12 ha. The main structures include the Great Hero Hall, meditation hall, museum, library, and the Columbarium. The Great Hero Hall has a single-eave hip-and-gable roof with the gable facing the front. It houses statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and the Medicine Buddha. The Columbarium functions as a memorial hall for the deceased. The temple represents a fusion of modern and traditional architecture. It has received the City of Stafford Beautification Award in 2004, and was recognized as the Best Religious Site by the government in 2006.