The Buddhist community in Houston is feeling uneasy following yet another temple burglary last week, marking the fourth reported incident since September, with authorities suspecting there may be more cases.
Thanh Long Tu Temple, also known as the Culture of Golden Heart Association, decided to file a report last Wednesday for a burglary that occurred on Sept. 29. The temple’s nun, who wished to remain anonymous due to safety concerns, disclosed that the perpetrator stole cash from their donation box and caused damage to their altar.
In a separate incident, the nun had a suspicious encounter last Sunday when four men entered the facility and quickly departed in a minivan after being greeted. Although no theft occurred, the incident prompted the temple to report the September burglary.
Thuy Le, the temple’s attorney, expressed concern over the impact of these crimes on a vulnerable community, emphasizing that the temples often keep their doors open for worship and prayer, which can be exploited by wrongdoers.
In January, two Buddhist temples in southwest Houston were ransacked and burglarized within hours of each other. A monk supervising the Huong Nghiem Temple reported that intruders stole cash, while the Cam Lo Temple was hit during a Sunday worship service.
Last Wednesday, the Texas Guandi Temple was targeted, with the suspect breaking several doors and stealing cash.
The series of incidents has put many on edge, especially during the Lunar New Year season, when temple visits and donations increase. Tuong Quang Temple in Baytown also experienced a break-in in December but didn’t file a police report as nothing was taken.
Authorities urge victims to report such incidents to the Houston Police Department, acknowledging that language barriers, fear of retaliation, and distrust of law enforcement may hinder reporting.
Le emphasized the importance of community members affected by these crimes to contact HPD, acknowledging historical distrust but emphasizing the need for cooperation to address the issue effectively.
