Day: May 21, 2010

In Rochester, Minnesota, a Cambodian Buddhist Temple Wat Dhamma Visuddhikaram has been the repeated target of a series of vandalism and harassment attacks, according to a recent press report.  The Rochester Post-Bulletin reports that one previous attack included “pro-Christian” vandalism message in spray paint graffiti.

The Rochester Minnesota Post-Bulletin reports:

— “The Cambodian Buddhist temple in southeast Rochester has taken a series of security measures following a string of vandalism and harassment. The temple installed motion-detecting exterior lights and a steel-barred security door in the monks’ residence in March after attempted break-ins by a man wearing a ski mask, said Chhan Aun, 60, the temple’s head monk. The measures have not stopped the break-in attempts, five in total, Aun said.”
— “Following a suggestion from the post office, the temple also removed its mailbox from 29th Street Southeast last week and and placed it next to its main building at the end of a long driveway. The box has been repeatedly vandalized. Incoming and outgoing mail has been stolen in recent years, including bank statements, bills, and immigration documents whose theft has complicated the arrival of new monks from Cambodia, according to temple members.”
— “Vandalism at the temple a year ago included smashed lights, yanked flowers and a cross along with ‘Jesus saves’ spray-painted on the driveway in orange.”

— see the rest of the report

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) promotes our universal human rights, including our freedom of religion and conscience.  We urge all those who promote hate and violence, to drop such burdens from their hearts.

Choose Love, Not Hate.  Love Wins.

The Australian Campletown-MacArthur Advertiser reports on “Hindu temple claims attack on religion”:

IT STARTED off as a few graffiti tags on the side of Mukti Gupteshwar Mandir Shiva Hindu Temple in Eagleview Road, Minto.

But last week things got worse.

Offenders destroyed a 200-metre fence and forced their way into the temple before smashing light fixtures on Monday, April 19. They damaged property worth more than $5000.

The attack happened between 3pm and 5pm.

Minto Hindu Society president Prem Misra said local religious followers were being victimised.

‘‘We have spent more than $3000 on community activities and to cop this sort of treatment is nonsense,’’ he said. ‘‘I can’t understand why they would deliberately do this. Why does it keep happening to us? One can only conclude this is an attack on our religion.’’

The temple was built in 1991 after Campbelltown Council controversially approved the development in a scenic protection area. The proposal included a temple structure built partially below ground level to give the illusion that the building was underground.

Mr Misra said when he walked onto the property after the recent attack, he found broken light fittings, a section of fence missing and smashed glass.

‘‘This is illegal, immoral and unethical. This is obviously a place of worship so it’s just not right. It’s stirred up a lot of people’s emotions and we don’t want to create this type of tension in our community.