In an 8-2 vote Tuesday, the Virginia Beach City Council denied the monks' request to use their West Neck Road house as a temple with a Sunday service for two more years.

"I accept the reality," said Thich Chuc Thanh, one of five monks who live in the house.

However, Morris Fine, attorney for the Buddhist Education Center of America Inc., said he is concerned that the city has violated the monks' religious rights.

"I think we will be talking to somebody about litigation," Fine said after the vote.