What Is The Buddhist Council of New York?

The Buddhist Council of New York is an association of Buddhist Temples and organizations whose mission is to foster dialogue, 
cooperation and unity within the Buddhist Community in New York area, as well as to observe Vesak (commemorating the Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha) each year.

The Buddhist Council of New York was formed in 1985 by Ven. Kurunegoda Piyatissa of the New York Buddhist Vihara, Mssrs. Randall Sunday and Doug Barish of Dharmadhatu, and Rev. Jomyo Tanaka of the Mandala Buddhist Society. Since then, the Council has been meeting on a regular basis.  In addition to Vesak, the Council has co-sponsored the Living Buddhist Masters Lecture Series at Columbia University with the Unitarian Universalist Campus Ministry.

Membership is open to any Buddhist Temple tracing its lineage to a recognized Buddhist tradition, or to any individual who agrees with the aims of the Council. The annual fee is $150 for Temples/organizations and $50 for individuals. Monthly meeting are held in member Temples.

Current Officers of the Buddhist Council of New York (2007-2008):
President Emeritus: Ven. Kurunegoda Piyatissa

President: Ven. H. Kondanna

First Vice President: Judy Chen
Second Vice President: Polwat Nakalak
Treasurer: Soo Kyoung Lee
Recording Secretary: Forest Mars
Corresponding Secretary: Dimitri Bakhroushin
Vesak Committee Chair: Rochelle Weithorn