Organization

Khmer-Canadian Buddhist Cultural Society

វត្តសន្តិនារាម


The Khmer-Canadian Buddhist Cultural Society (K.C.B.C.S.) is a registered Canadian charity based at the Khmer Buddhist temple on Ogden Road SE in Calgary, Alberta.[1][2] Its bylaws make it a religious nonprofit corporation for educational, artistic and charitable purposes, with its principal office at the temple.[2] The temple has appeared under several names at that address, including United Khmer Santinaram, Watt Khmer Samakii Calgary, the Khmer-Canadian Buddhist Cultural Centre and the Cambodian Buddhist Temple of Calgary.[3][4][5][6][7]

Purpose and organization

The society preserves and researches Cambodian Buddhist culture and helps Cambodian people settle into Canadian life. It holds Cambodian religious and traditional ceremonies, practices Buddhist meditation, develops Khmer language, arts and traditions, and keeps up ties among people who practice Buddhism.[2]

Its bylaws, kept in Khmer and English, set out how it is run.[7] A Board of Directors and committee members, 26 people in all, manage its business and property. The abbot and assistant abbot are permanent members of the board, and the other directors are elected from the membership for two-year terms. The president is elected every two years from among the active members, and the election is held on P'chum Ben, the Khmer Ancestors Feast Festival.[2] Three committees share the work: one for religious, cultural and public relations, which keeps a Buddhist library, runs classes and publishes a newsletter; one for fundraising and ceremonies, which also serves the monks living at the temple; and one for building, repairing and maintaining the temple property.[2] Most staff work as volunteers, and the fiscal year follows the calendar year.[2]

Membership is open to all, without distinction of caste, creed, color, race, nationality, sex or age. Active members make regular monthly contributions, take part in most activities and may stand for election, while honorary members form a patronage and advisory group. Members meet formally four times a year, on the final Sunday week of March, June, September and December.[2]

Activities

The society published the Cambodian Community Newsletter and the Cambodian View calendar from the temple address.[8][3] The newsletter called itself a voice of the Cambodian community in Calgary and the surrounding area. It carried news of community functions and meetings, material for learning the Dhamma (the Buddha's teaching), and writing on Khmer language, literature, history and culture. Venerable Sophan Seng edited the September to December 2007 issue.[8] The 2008 calendar gave English and Khmer dates and marked Buddhist observances, among them a Vesak ceremony in May.[3] The society's website, Cambodian View, went online on August 13, 2003, with sections for Dhamma audio, the Khmer school, articles, cultural themes, photos and membership.[6]

In 2007 the society's Buddhist Saturday School and Buddhist Sunday School had been teaching Khmer for three years. Classes met on Saturdays and Sundays and covered speaking, writing and listening for use in daily life and at school.[8]

As of 2017, the society offered Cambodian interpretation and translation, youth stay-in-school and sports activities, Cambodian language classes and performing arts. The Cambodian-Canadian Association was then listed at the same address.[9]

The society co-hosts Calgary's Pchum Ben gathering, which in 2026 is held at a community hall rather than at the temple.

Leadership

Preah Krou Vipassanaa Kosala Keo Hong is abbot of Watt Khmer Samakii Calgary. The temple's lay disciples are led by Lok Ta Svay Yim as president, Lok Ta Tieng Ting as first vice-president and Lok Ta Tey Sophan as second vice-president.[7]

Executive committees
  • 2000 to 2003: Ngeth Marin, president; Soun Yam, first vice-president; Moeu Sony, second vice-president; Wong Cheap Ly (Leang), treasurer; Mathew Lor (Peov), secretary.[7]
  • 2004 to 2005: Saman Svay, president; Seng Bun Yaon, first vice-president; Soun Yam, second vice-president and assistant treasurer; Pengly Songly, treasurer; Chantha Hem, secretary; Ven. Sophan Seng, assistant secretary.[7]
  • 2005 to 2007 (newsletter chart): Yim Svay, president; Roeun Gneth, first vice-president; Neang Ngeth, second vice-president; Teang Tang, treasurer; Sokhom Svay, secretary; Venerable Vodano S. Sophan, assistant to the secretary.[8]
  • 2006 to 2007 (Administration Section): Bun Yoan Seng, president; Songly Pen, first vice-president; Ngeth Reoun, second vice-president; Teang Tang, treasurer; Chantha Hem, secretary.[7]
  • 2008 to 2009: Svay Yim, president; Neang Hem, first vice-president; Ngeth Reoun, second vice-president; Teang Tang, treasurer; Sokhom Svay, secretary.[7]
  • 2010 to 2011: Bun Yoan Seng, president; Corey Hann, treasurer; Savy Nganh, secretary.[7]
Advisory group
  • Lok Ta Chea Touch, Lok Ta Chin Hout, Chham Ngam, Kear Soeum, Chhean Vansoth, Hem Neang, Chap Chamnan and Chung Vuthy.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ CanadaHelps, Khmer-Canadian Buddhist Cultural Society
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Cambodian View, Bylaws of the Khmer-Canadian Buddhist Cultural Society
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Cambodian View, United Khmer Santinaram 2008 calendar
  4. ↑ Path Lead to Noble, Khmer temples in Canada (2016)
  5. ↑ BuddhaNet World Buddhist Directory, Alberta
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cambodian View, Cambodian Buddhist Temple of Calgary
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Cambodian View, Administration Section
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Cambodian View newsletter, September to December 2007
  9. ↑ City of Calgary, Cross Cultural Connections (2017)

Sources

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This page was last edited on 26 September 2026, at 23:27.