July 5, 2003
Source: Newsday
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-ny--travel-greatbuddh0705jul05,0,3211482.story
On July 5, 2003 Newsday reported that "the Chuang Yen Monastery houses this statue, the largest Buddha in the Western Hemisphere, on its 225 acres in Carmel [NY]... With meditation programs in both English and Chinese, the monastery welcomes visitors to walk around the Seven Jewels Lake, meditate in its halls and learn about the principles of Buddhism... Visitors are invited to meditate with the 15 monks and nuns living on the site, and are encouraged to ask questions about the Chinese tradition of Mahayana Buddhism."