Va. Beach Council: Monks have to find a new place to pray

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. (WAVY.com) -- Once again, Virginia Beach City Council members were facing a difficult decision.  Should they allow a group of Buddhist monks to continue worshiping in their Pungo home?

"They are so great," said a teenager.  "They're sweet."

"I think they should have their right to be able to pray," said one woman.

Supporters for the monks urged that they're not doing anything wrong.

"They're kind," added another woman.  "They don't hurt anyone."

Last year, the council voted to allow the monks to use their home for another year as a place to pray.  Council hoped when the year was up, the monks would find another building to worship in.  The monks say their million dollar home is now putting them in debt; not allowing them to buy anything else. 

Morris Fine - the monks' attorney - argued that disallowing them an extension would be violating their religious rights.

"I think that this evening you have the opportunity to reject any kind of perception of intolerance," said Fine talking to Council.

Last week, the Virginia Beach Planning Commission denied an extension of the permit saying their home is zoned residential and not meant as a temple.  Neighbors say they fear possible expansion.

"I would like to make the point that this isn't about the right to pray," said Dan Franken, the monks' neighbor.  "This is about: Does the city have a role in deciding who can start a religious enterprise that could grow to unimaginable proportions."

In the end, the city decided in an 8-2 vote, not to extend their permit

"It would be a great concern of mine if we were treating any religious use differently other than all religious uses," said City Councilwoman Barbara Henley.

The monks say they will continue to fight the decision, but have to live with it for now.

"People who don't practice Buddhism, maybe they feel disappointed, but with me I accept the reality," said monk Chuc Thanh.

The monks say they plan to take the decision to court.  They feel that this violates their rights under federal law.