Wat
Wat Buddhasasanarangsey
Wat Buddhasasanarangsey (វត្តពុទ្ធសាសនរង្សី), the Fresno Cambodian Temple, is a Khmer Buddhist temple on North Valentine Avenue in Fresno, California.[1][2] Cambodian refugees established it, and the Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Society, Inc. founded the temple, which the society calls a sanctuary for healing and preserving traditions.[3]
History
An earlier Khmer temple directory lists Wat Buddhasasanarangsey at 2533 Valentine Avenue, with the telephone numbers (209) 276-2901 and (209) 276-2924.[2] The Venerable Bunthon Say became abbot in 2022, under a lifelong appointment. He holds a bachelor's degree in Buddhist studies from the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka and a master's degree from the University of Kelaniya.[1]
Religious life
The temple is built in a Cambodian-inspired style, and a self-guided tour explains its architecture, symbolism and practices.[4] It offers meditation, teachings and youth programs, and holds community events.[3] From May 23 to 25, 2025, it held a three-day Maha Visakha Puja honoring the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and passing into nirvana.[4]
The society publicized its Kan Ben and Pchum Ben observance for 2025 in Fresno.[5] For 2026 the temple set Bon Pchum Ben, Khmer Ancestors Day, with Kann Ben from September 27 to October 10 and Pchum Ben on October 11. It held Bon Phka Prak Samaky, a fundraising ceremony, on September 11 and 12, 2026, and runs a Cambodian Night Market every Saturday from August 29 to November 14, 2026, closing with a ceremony on Sunday, November 15.[1]
Community
The temple offers programs in Khmer literacy, basic computer skills, sports, meditation and Dharma study, and runs the Khmer Emerging Education Program (KEEP) to preserve Khmer culture and literacy.[1] KEEP's email address is keepfresno@gmail.com.[1]
Associations
Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Society, Inc. (associated organization).[6]
The temple's first-party site states that Wat Buddhasasanarangsey was founded by Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Society, Inc. The organization and its temple programs are presented together.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Society Inc.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wat Khemara Ratanaram, California Khmer temple directory
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Society, About the temple (2025)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Society, Blog (2025)
- ↑ Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Soc, Inc. on Instagram
- ↑ Fresno Cambodian Buddhist Society Inc.