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New plans are under way to further enlarge the premises of the monastic complex. Since spring 2004, donations have been collected to buy surrounding land in order to both provide more parking place and to realize plans such as a park and an old people asylum for Thai Swiss pensioners. Despite the brief history since its establishment, Wat Srinagarindravararam has become a landmark in both north western Switzerland and in the plurality of Buddhism in Switzerland. |
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In 2002 Vietnames Buddhists converted the second upper floor located in an ordinary middle-class house in the outskirts of Lucerne (central Switzerland) into a temple and shrine room. The first floor is used for communal and social activities and as a library. At the house's front side a plate states the name of the religious place as Chua Phat To Thich Ca — Association of Indo Chinese Buddhists. |
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Walking up to the shrine room, traditional grey robes hang in the stairwell. Lay Buddhists, both men and women, wear these robes while taking part in a religious ceremony such as the recitation of Buddhist texts. The robe is a mark of non-attachment, simplicity and equal status of all. |
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The shrine room can accommodate only up to 30 people as its best. Seated on the floor, the members of the monastic order sit in front while lay Buddhists are behind. Together, they recite the Buddhist sutras (texts), accompanied by rhythmic instruments such as gongs and drums. The Vietnamese temple has no residential monk or nun though it is visited by members of the sangha from Germany and France for Buddhist festivals and to conduct Dharma weekends regularly. |
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The Buddhist altar with various Buddha and Bodhisattva figures. Centrally, seated in meditational posture on a lotus flower, is a figure of the historic Buddha Shakyamuni. The altar is decorated with flowers, candles, fruits, and typical Vietnamese wood carving. |
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The altar and members of the sangha (Buddhist order) during the recitation of Buddhist sutras. Vietnamese Buddhists mainly belong to the tradition of Pure Land Buddhism. Transcendental Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are thought to provide gracious help in attaining rebirth in so–called "Pure Lands" (Vietn. "Tinh Do"), preliminary stages to reaching the final stage of nirvana ("final extinction"). |
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The Buddhist lay women and men clad in grey robes while reciting the Amitabha sutra. According to Buddhist thought, the recitation of Buddhist texts is an important means to earn spiritual merit.. Spiritual merit (Skt "punya", Vietn. "Cong Duc") can be gained by way of good deeds such as donating alms, reading Buddhist texts, reciting names of specific Buddhas, honouring Bodhisattvas and Buddhas, contributing to the building of a temple or to the publication of a Buddhist book, donating to monks and nuns and many other ways. Accumulating merit is thought of as a necessary preliminary step to a brighter future in this life and a better rebirth in the next life. |
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Just as important as the accumulation of spiritual merit is the veneration of the ancestors and deceased family members. Towards the back, at the side of the shrine room, we find an altar for the ancestors and deceased. By the wall, small plates with pictures of late relatives are placed. Centrally placed is a picture of the Bodhisattva Kshitigarbha (Vietn. "Dia–tang"). According to East Asian Buddhists this bodhisattva provides help for the dead and rescues from the pain of the hells. The altar for the ancestors is decorated with candles, flowers and fruits. |
