Temple proposal impacts Richmond MB churches

“A massive $50-million transformation of Richmond’s Lingyen Mountain Temple into a pivotal North American religious centre – complete with a 10-storey statue of Buddha – could begin as early as December.”

—Matthew Hoekstra in The Richmond Review, July 24–25, 2004

Photo: Darien Julihn

A proposal to turn the Lingyen Mountain Temple into a major Buddhist centre has significant implications for three Mennonite Brethren groups adjacent to the site.

Although the proposal is still just a proposal, the Mennonite Brethren have already turned down a multi-million dollar offer by the Temple to re-locate them down the street.

Each of the three groups adjacent – Richmond Bethel MB Church, Richmond Chinese MB Church and Richmond Christian School – is a separate entity with separate responses to the proposal.

When asked how the Lingyen Mountain Temple complex, which would overshadow every building in the area, affects Richmond Bethel MB Church (RBC), pastor Brad Julihn noted there were “seen and unseen ways.” From a public and community point of view, he said, “how does one treat with respect those whom you strongly disagree with” while addressing the appearance of religious bigotry? The Chinese church being on premise addresses that issue, he said.

Peter Mau, pastor of Richmond Chinese MB Church (RCC), said he sees the potential impact for the Chinese church, while “it may not be very big,” as physical, psychological and spiritual.

Physically, traffic will increase, especially on days when, as The Richmond Review reported, “large crowds are expected” such as Chinese New Year, Buddha’s birthday and the Vegetarian Festival.

The current Lingyen Mountain Temple, opened in 1999, is a three-storey traditional Chinese temple. According to The Richmond Review, it has 5000 members and 38 resident monks. Although the present temple is 200 to 300 feet away, ritual chanting can be heard in the parking lot used by the churches and the school. If building goes ahead, the complex will come within 20 to 30 feet of the church.

Mau said that even if small, there will be a psychological impact on the Chinese because the images connected to a Buddhist temple have a spiritual association for them. However, he quickly added that spiritually this will be “a stimulation” for the church. “It’s telling us there’s a big mission field [in Richmond].”

Spokesperson for the Christian School Board, Robert Sawatsky, said the school would approach the temple’s proposal from “a civic perspective.” He agreed increased traffic may affect the school and noted there will be a visual impact in terms of height and overall square footage.

Design changes have been made to make the complex less imposing from the front by moving the larger building back on the property. The complex would still “change the appearance of the neighbourhood,” Sawatsky said.

Both pastors and Sawatsky agreed that one challenge facing all those involved is that of unity – unity inside as well as among the organizations. Within RBC, Julihn said, “some regard it as a spiritual warfare issue and some do not, or minimize the spiritual warfare component.”

The issue of spiritual warfare has had considerable influence on unity among the three entities in responding to the offer to relocate. Richmond Bethel Church received “unanimous exhortation” from the B.C. MB Chinese Ministerial to not sell. Other Chinese churches, not MB, made similar submissions. RBC made the decision not to sell and relocate “for the betterment of the body of Christ,” not for financial reasons.

Had the church decided to sell, said Julihn, “the MB Chinese churches would have regarded that as compromise” because Conference approval is required for such a sale. It would have “significantly affected their view of membership in the Conference,” he says.

Mau agreed, adding that Chinese Christians feel it is “not right to facilitate” the needs and desires of the Buddhist temple. He said it would be considered “a victory” in the Temple’s eyes if the Christian churches re-located for the temple’s convenience.

Julihn said the issue is not “dominating the life of the church at this time” but may become a greater issue if construction begins. Regarding outreach, it is “an opportunity as well as a huge challenge spiritually,” considering that what is happening is a “power encounter.” He is “very concerned” that the Temple “doesn’t want the presence” of either RBC or RCC in the vicinity but is confident, he said, that “those who stand in Jesus’ name will experience His power and provision.”

It would be difficult to reach Buddhists who attend the temple because they already have a mindset toward Buddhism, Mau said, but the Chinese church sees a great opportunity to reach the large, and continually growing, uncommitted Chinese population in Richmond.

The Chinese church holds evangelistic meetings, encourages its members in one-on-one friendship evangelism, and encourages its young people to invite their friends to Bible study groups. Several young people have made commitments of faith in Jesus Christ through these groups.

Since the building of the complex still requires approval from many sources, Mau says the Chinese church has two prayers: the first, “is it God’s will that this complex be built?” and second, “if God allows it to be built, then use our people in a very special way.”

Sawatsky acknowledged the temple’s mission and the school’s mission are different but said, “they have the right to put forth a proposal.” The school hopes to “minimize the impact” the building of the complex may have.

All three men interviewed thought the Temple’s hope to begin construction as early as December was “very optimistic.” In the meantime, the call goes out from both pastors for all MB churches to pray with them in this situation.

—Barbara Armstrong