Sri Lankan Buddhist Community Opens Temple in Hillsboro

June 16, 2005

Source: Oregonian

http://www.oregonlive.com/metrowest/oregonian/beaverton/index.ssf?/base/metro_west_news/1118743447287040.xml&coll=7

On June 16, 2005 the Oregonian reported that a Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple will be dedicated this weekend in Hillsboro, Oregon. The temple "will be dedicated this weekend in an opening ceremony that will bring at least 25 monks from as far away as Sri Lanka. In all, the monks expect 300 guests, including members of Oregon's Sri Lankan community and city officials, such as Mayor Tom Hughes. The ceremony is open to the public. Temple members say it's a joyous occasion for the Sri Lankan community in Washington County. The Oregon Buddhist Vihara is the only Sri Lankan Buddhist temple in the state, and until Chandrasiri helped start it last fall, they had no place to gather or worship. Lalana Gunaratne, whose family lives in Beaverton, anticipates that the temple will strengthen ties in the community. 'Now there's something there to bring the community together,' the 17-year-old said. Oregon's Sri Lankan community is made up of about 214 people, according to the 2000 Census. Temple members estimate about 50 families live around Washington County."