Organization
Khmer Buddhist Humanitarian Association
The Khmer Buddhist Humanitarian Association (KBHA) is a community services organization for Cambodian Philadelphians, based at Preah Buddha Rangsey Temple.[1] The temple serves as its headquarters, and the association is incorporated as Khmer Buddhist Humanitarian Association, Inc., in the Theravada Buddhist tradition.[1][2]
History
Cambodians came to Philadelphia throughout the 1980s and 1990s to escape the Khmer Rouge and the aftermath of the Killing Fields, and they rebuilt their temples and cultural life in the city.[3] In 2003 the association bought the former Saint Andrews Lutheran Church in South Philadelphia, a building from 1904. At the time its foundation was sinking, its roof was caving in and its courtyard was overgrown.[3]
Members paid for about eight years of rebuilding, and by 2014 the temple was about 90 percent new. Its gated exterior was built to resemble the gilded temples of Cambodia, flanked by Dvarapala (guardian) figures.[3] The temple opened officially in 2005. The association then acquired the former Adath Shalom synagogue across the street, which by 2014 held community meetings, funeral ceremonies and quarters for the monks.[3]
In 2014 Muni Ratana was both the chief monk of Preah Buddha Rangsey Temple and president of the association.[3] He called the temple "a place for culture but also to belong to a family. It is a place for hope."[3] Yun Or, the association's vice-chairman, said the temple had created a safe place for the community.[3]
Community
Alongside worship and cultural preservation, the temple community has offered social services, human rights protection, language and computer training, and charitable outreach.[3] It has also helped members find their way through the health care system and provided medical translation.[1] The association takes part in local food drives and health fairs and gives alms to the neighborhood.[4]
In 2014 the temple counted about 4,000 members. Members also came from Camden, Cherry Hill and Harrisburg, where there was no temple, and the temple also served members of the Chinese, Vietnamese, Lao and Thai communities.[3] The association also lists a second address in New Jersey, at 1234 Haddonfield Berlin Road in Voorhees.[2]
Leadership
As of 2025, the association's founder and chairman was the Most Venerable Sinn Vatha Sakyamuni, who was also its spiritual director. Yun Or was vice-chairman, and Venerable Muni Ratana was its main contact and teacher.[2] Muni Rath and Victor Sakyamuni also served on its board.[5]
Finances
The association is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, eligible to receive tax-deductible gifts.[6][5] For 2024 it reported revenue of about $631,100, expenses of about $476,100, assets of about $6.9 million and net assets of about $6.4 million.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Jivaka Project, Location Finder: Preah Buddha Rangsey Temple (2018)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 BuddhaNet World Buddhist Directory, Preah Buddha Rangsey Temple / Khmer Buddhist Humanitarian Association, Inc.
- ↑ American Buddhism at William & Mary, Preah Buddha Rangsey Temple (November 2024)
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Impala, Khmer Buddhist Humanitarian Association (EIN 52-2323646)
- ↑ Cause IQ, Buddhist organizations in the Philadelphia area