Chuang Yen Monastery

Chuang Yen Monastery is a Buddhist temple set on a large property in Carmel featuring buildings designed in traditional Tang Dynasty style. The grounds include multiple temple structures with decorative elements that reflect classical Buddhist architectural design.

The site began development in the early 1980s when the Buddhist Association of the United States acquired land to create a monastic community. The project grew into one of the major Buddhist institutions in the northeastern United States.

The monastery holds meditation sessions and Buddhist teachings where people from different faiths gather together. You can participate in prayer events that shape the spiritual life of the community.

The grounds are open during specific months, and visitors should respect posted guidelines to maintain the meditative environment. It helps to check current opening hours beforehand and wear appropriate clothing for a temple setting.

The main prayer hall houses an impressive Buddha statue standing over 37 feet (11 meters) tall, making it one of the largest of its kind in the western world. This figure draws visitors who come to appreciate its spiritual craftsmanship.