Khmer Krom and Buddhism
Wherever Khmer Krom people live, there is a Buddhist temple that will be built in their local community. Most of Khmer Krom people are Buddhist. They practice Hinayana (or known as Theravada) Buddhism, whereas most Vietnamese practice Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhism is not just a religion of the Khmer Krom people, but Buddhism has become a part of the Khmer Krom’s culture since Buddhism was considered as the national religion in Kampuchea Krom.
Whenever Khmer Krom people celebrate the cultural events, such as: Cambodian New Year, Cambodian Moon Festival, they always go to the temple in their local area. Besides meeting their relatives, friends, and participating with the traditional games and performing traditional line dances, they come to the temple to pray in front of the Buddha wishing for the prosperities, wealthy and good health, and also to listen to the Monks’ preaching. In Cambodian Wedding ceremony, Buddhism also takes an important part in the ceremony. For instance, the first night before the Wedding day, the monks are invited to come to the new couple’s house for Buddhist chanting, educating the new couple for how to respect and forgive to each other, and then wishing for the best to the new couple.
In Kampuchea Krom, temple is not just a place that is used to organize the cultural events, but temple is also a place that is used to teach Cambodian language because the Vietnamese government does not allow Khmer Krom to learn their own language in public school. Without temple, the Khmer Krom people will have no where to study their own language.
In San Jose and the Bay area, there are not many Khmer Krom people who originally came from different provinces in Kampuchea Krom. They never met each other when they were in Kampuchea Krom. Because they are Khmer Krom, they came together to form the United Khmer Krom Non-profit Organization Inc. (UKKNOI) and opened a community center which also serves as a "Worship Place or Temple", called Wat Khemara Rangsey, because the Khmer Krom people in San Jose area cannot afford to build a temple as in their homeland, Kampuchea Krom. Moreover, Khmer Krom people are Buddhist, so they cannot live in a community without a worship place or temple.
Besides Wat Khemara Rangsey has served as a worship place for the Khmer Krom and also for all Khmer people in the Bay area, it has also served as a community center for the cultural and educational activities to educate the Khmer youths to learn about their own cultural and language, and also to help the youth to learn the possible values in live as Buddhist followers so that they do not involve with the gang activities. So far, at Wat Khemara Rangsey, there are many Cambodian Youth and Scholars have participated in helping to preserve and introduce the Khmer Krom Identity to other people in the Bay area.
The Status of Buhhda at Wat Khemara Rangsey
Religious Services ,Funeral
The ceremony of President Regan at Cambodian Community
Center.
Blessing at the community member's house
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