Abbot Ven. Dhammadipa and the Vev. Sndharma pray

KENT CLIFFS — While a variety of celebrations took place on New Year’s Day from family gatherings to community galas and watching televised football games, Putnam County’s most meaningful celebration occurred at the Chuang Yen Monastery in western Kent when the Buddhist Association of the United States hosted its annual “New Year’s Interfaith Prayer for World Peace.”

More than 300 people gathered for the two-hour long celebration that was highlighted by song, chants, instruments, aroma of incense and the majesty of the Buddha.

Representatives of many churches and houses of worship took part including Abbot Ven. Dhammadipa of the Chuang Yen Monastery, Father James Gardiner of Graymoor in Garrison, Sister Mary Ann Lipetzky of Maryknoll in Tarrytown, The Rev. Hans Hallundbaek of the Croton Falls Presbyterian Church, Muslim Chaplain Sana and Imam Shabazz and Leonard Galit of the BAHA’I.

Kent Councilman Karl Rohde also was in attendance representing government in Putnam County.

In his keynote address, Abbot Dhammadipa called on all religious movements to “exchange ideas in order to make the world a better place. Even though people have different beliefs and opinions about God, we must never forget that God looks after all his people. The world finds itself in turmoil as 2009 begins.               People with different beliefs and backgrounds must unite to hear the different voices in order to make the world enhanced.”