Wat
Wat Bodhikaram
Wat Bodhikaram is a Cambodian Buddhist temple on a two-acre property in the south end of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.[1] Its registered name is The Mondul Ottawa Khmer Buddhist Monastery, and it is also known as Bodhikaram Temple.[1][2]
History
The temple was registered in 2006. From 2006 to 2008 it was housed in a rented apartment at 80-1 Preston Street, in Ottawa's Chinatown. From 2008 to 2017 it owned and used a house at 1197 Deer Park Road.[1] An older Centre Khemara directory lists Bodhikaram Temple at that Deer Park Road address, with the telephone number 613-230-6268 and the website bodhikaram.com.[2]
In 2017 the temple moved to two acres of land with buildings at 4537 Hawthorne Road, which it regards as its permanent home.[1] There the community converted a garage into a ceremonial hall for public and family ceremonies. The hall received a new roof in September 2017, after the old one leaked in rain and snow. A new roof on the monks' residence was finished in September 2018, and interlocking paving was laid around the hall that year for ceremonies and processions.[3]
Stupas followed on the grounds. In 2019 the temple built a stupa for the Dhammacakka Buddha, marking the first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, given to five monks. Stupas for the Baby Buddha, the Enlightened Buddha, the Nirvana Buddha and the Aphaya Buddha were built in 2020 and 2021, using stone Buddha images bought in Cambodia in 2020. Stupas for the Pindapata Buddha and the Naga Buddha were built in August 2021.[3]
The monks, board of directors and adviser later agreed to apply to the City of Ottawa for a zoning bylaw, so that the property can be used and developed as a Buddhist temple. The temple estimates that preparing the application and meeting its requirements will cost about $35,000.[3][4] The temple's 20th anniversary celebration was set for August 9, 2026.[5]
Religious life
The Venerable Bhikkhus, or Buddhist monks, teach the Buddha Dhamma, meditation and Dhamma chanting. Their main teachings for lay devotees are dana (generosity), sila (morality) and bhavana (meritorious development).[6]
The temple holds at least ten events each year, all tied to Buddhism and Khmer culture. They include Magha Puja, Khmer New Year, Visakha Puja, Buddhist Lent, Khmer Ancestors' Day (Pchum Ben), the End of Buddhist Lent and the Kathina ceremony.[6] The 2026 calendar set a Sangha Puja on January 18, Magha Puja on February 1, Khmer New Year on April 18 and 19 and Visakha Puja on May 2. It set the annual fundraising ceremony for June 7, the summer picnic for June 28 and Buddhist Lent for July 26. Pchum Ben is set for October 10 and 11, the End of Buddhist Lent for October 25 and the Kathina ceremony for November 7, 2026.[5]
Earlier programs followed the same cycle. The End of Buddhist Lent, Bonn Chenh Vassa, was held on the evening of September 30 and the morning of October 1, 2017. At the Kathina ceremony of November 9 and 10, 2018, devotees paid respect to the Triple Gem, took the Five Precepts and heard the monks chant. The second day brought a Dhamma lecture, alms and food offerings, the monks' blessing and lunch, and the offering of Kathina robes to the Sangha, the community of monks.[7]
Community
The temple states that its purpose is to preserve Khmer culture and to keep and pass on the Buddha's teachings and Buddhist heritage among Khmer people in Ottawa. It sees itself as a place where older people can feel at home and meet fellow Khmers, and where younger people can observe and learn about Buddhism and Khmer culture.[1] It welcomes people of all backgrounds equally.[6]
Bodhikaram Temple is a charity and nonprofit organization that runs on donations. Gifts pay for the monks' requisites, special events, renovation, maintenance, utilities and property tax, and donors receive tax receipts.[3][4] Devotees, volunteers and sponsors give money, energy and time to keep the temple running.[6]
Visiting
Temple events are open to people of all backgrounds, and taking part is free. Families may hold their own Buddhist observances at the temple by appointment with a Venerable monk, and the monks accept invitations to family and public ceremonies at homes or other venues with advance notice.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Bodhikaram Temple, About us
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Centre Khemara, Contacts utiles (community directory)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Bodhikaram Temple, Projects
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bodhikaram Temple, Donate
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bodhikaram Temple, 2026 yearly events
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Bodhikaram Temple, home page
- ↑ Bodhikaram Temple, blog