$100M sacred Buddhist site begins construction near Fort Worth Stop Six neighborhood
A 14-acre, $100 million expansion of the Huong Dao Temple near Fort Worth’s Stop Six neighborhood began construction during a ceremony on Sunday.
Members of the east Fort Worth Buddhist monastery placed the first stone of the expansion, which will result in 840 large and small stupas to house sacred teachings.
The event included Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, District 5 council member Gyna Bivens and Haltom City Mayor An Truong.
The granite and steel structures, which will be 130 feet tall at their tallest points, are expected to be visible for miles from the monastery, at 4717 E. Rosedale St., and will provide a space to preserve sacred Buddhist teachings.
“The site will be an anchor for our rich culture and ancient architecture representing Asian Buddhist countries,” said Tue Nhan Bhikkhu, also known as Rev. Nguyen.
Bhikkhu said the structure is a monumental project.
The teachings are considered profound by Buddhists, being the “message of compassion, wisdom, and liberation.”
The Huong Dao Monastery has been located in Fort Worth for more than 25 years, Bhikkhu said. The temple, which is know for its 12,000-square-foot worship hall and gardens, is used by about 1,000 predominantly Vietnamese-American practitioners of the Buddhist faith.
City leaders said the construction of the stupas and Sunday’s celebration were significant for Fort Worth and made more special by the celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which runs through the month of May.
In 2020, Tarrant Area Food Bank recognized the temple as one of the leading distribution points for residents in need. The temple’s events include health fairs, faith-based information sessions and food distribution events.
This story was originally published May 15, 2022 at 4:41 PM.
