Source: The Arizona Republic
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=63,7366,0,0,1,0
The only international Buddhist temple in the state held its grand-opening ceremony on Saturday.
About 200 people gathered at the Arizona International Buddhist Meditation Center, 432 Temple St. in Mesa, to celebrate both the Kathina Ceremony, which marks the end of the rainy season in Sri Lanka, and the center's grand opening.
The temple, decorated with bright colors and a 4 1/2-foot Buddha statue brought from Sri Lanka, opened a year ago thanks to philanthropist Shanthini Wijay and her husband, Mike Sawyer.
The Houston couple donated funds to help purchase the building, one of eight temples in the country.
"Everybody is welcome to this place," Wijay said.
The temple serves as both a meditation center and a gathering place for the Sri Lanka Buddhist community, which has about 200 local members.