By Patrick Wilson
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 2, 2009

VIRGINIA BEACH

A house in Pungo used by Buddhists as a temple is in foreclosure, and the monks are looking for a new spot.

The 4-acre ranch, at 4177 West Neck Road, was the subject of litigation when the monks sued Virginia Beach, arguing that the city violated their religious freedom by denying them a use permit to hold services.

A settlement was reached in March that allowed services to continue at the house with no more than 20 people at a time. The monks also agreed to hold festivals in a different location after neighbors complained.

Services at the Buddhist Education Center of America Inc. have continued, but financial problems have sent the house into foreclosure, said Samantha Niezgoda, a spokeswoman and member of the temple. An auction will be held Friday, she said.

The house was purchased in 2006 for about $950,000 when the monks relocated from Kempsville. The monthly mortgage is $7,805.14.

Thanh C. Doan, the master monk in Vietnam who owns the house, has been seriously ill, Niezgoda said. The lawsuit with the city also has made it difficult for the temple to raise money, she said.

The monks and their lawyer hope to negotiate a lease from the city for a large parcel of land off Salem Road, she said. They would need to put a building on the parcel, however, even if it's a temporary trailer.

They are working on a video to post on the Web site YouTube to promote ways the temple serves the community, she said.

"The monks actually are OK moving away from here, but we need to try to get out of this," she said. "It's important that they get into a safe place."

Chuc Thanh, one of the monks, said the move will be challenging emotionally and financially, but he wants the temple to continue.

Among benefits, he said, is an education program used by college students to learn about Buddhism.

Patrick Wilson, (757) 446-2957, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com