The Founding Origins
The Origins and Vision of Mituo Village
In order to better practice Buddhism, practitioners of the Pure Land School in North America deeply felt the need for a peaceful place of cultivation, far from the hustle and bustle of the world, to wholeheartedly move toward the spiritual home—the Western Pure Land.
Guided by this spiritual direction, various Buddhist associations in North America have been dedicated to finding an ideal location to fulfill the vision of establishing "Mituo Village." This village will not only be a sacred site for chanting the Buddha's name but also become a nurturing ground for Chinese traditional culture overseas, thereby influencing the Western world and guiding thoughts back to the roots of traditional education. It will become a stronghold for Pure Land practice, allowing the Pure Land School to take root and flourish, providing a place for Pure Land practitioners in this land to settle and firmly focus on the Buddha's name with the aspiration for rebirth in the Pure Land.
The Discovery and Origins of Mituo Village
In April 2014, members of the Philadelphia Pure Land Society discovered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity near Philadelphia—an area originally used for Christian religious activities that was now for sale. This land, developed for nearly a century since 1927, was built by the American United Christian Church and includes 24 buildings of varying sizes, including schools, classrooms, and dormitories, serving as a place for communal religious practice. Among them, two major buildings had received an investment of $3 million over the past ten years. The property had been granted tax exemption and religious activity permits, and it had also received approval to build a senior care facility. It is also permitted for agricultural use, residential purposes, and public services such as summer camps.
The land is located in a prime geographical area, just one hour from Philadelphia’s Chinatown, two hours from New York’s Chinatown, and three hours from Washington D.C. The entire property covers about 136 acres and is surrounded by forests, with green trees and clear streams. The 24 buildings offer a total of 46,700 square feet of usable space, capable of accommodating more than 500 people for communal practice and residence.
Two major buildings are equipped with a main hall, dining hall, conference facilities, and dormitories, able to house 84 people. Each building is equipped with complete facilities to meet the daily needs of practitioners. The surrounding vast grasslands are ideal for erecting Mongolian tents during large Dharma assemblies, providing convenience for group practice activities.
Future Outlook for Mituo Village
After discovering this blessed land, Pure Land practitioners and devotees across North America shared the news and worked together with determination, eventually succeeding in acquiring the land for this Dharma center. We look forward to building Mituo Village into a pure and dignified Pure Land, where more people can cultivate their hearts and practice to attain enlightenment and return to the truth. Mituo Village is not only a place for practice but also a bridge for the promotion of Buddhist teachings and cultural heritage. We hope that every practitioner who comes here will find inner peace and their spiritual home under the guidance of Buddhism and walk together toward the bright shore of awakening.