Wat
Wat Buddharangsi (Victoria)
Wat Buddharangsi is a Khmer Theravada Buddhist temple on Clarke Road in Springvale South, Victoria, Australia.[1][2] Khmer people have long gathered there, and the community calls it Wat Thom, the Big Temple.[2]
History
The World Buddhist Directory (2020) lists the temple as Cambodian and Theravada, affiliated with the Cambodian Buddhist Association of Victoria Inc. It names the Venerable Ol Sam as main contact and teacher, and the Venerable Sovann Srey as a contact.[1] By January 2026 the Venerable Sudhep Nan was abbot.[3]
From January 9 to 11, 2026, the temple hosted the 30th Annual Cambodian Buddhist Sangha Congress, a gathering of monks. Fifty monks came to the temple for collective prayers, meditation, dharma teachings and discussions among senior monks.[3]
Religious life
The monks hold morning and evening chanting, give Buddhist teachings and spiritual guidance, and perform blessings, prayers and chants for ceremonies and special occasions.[2]
In 2023 the temple marked Cambodian New Year with three days of food, prayer, blessings and dance, from April 14 to 16. After months of preparation, it hosted up to 4,000 visitors. On the first day, Moha Songkran, meals were prepared for the monks, who blessed families. The second day, Virak Vanabet or Donating Day, brought dancing by the Preah Chanh Penh Vong group, whose Robam Choun Por is a dance that blesses the audience, and food was offered to the monks and shared with the congregation. On the third day, Vearak Leung Sak or Welcoming the New Year, Buddha images were washed with scented water in the Pithi Srang Preah ritual, and visitors washed the hands and feet of elders to apologize for past mistakes.[4] Guest speakers included MPs Julian Hill and Meng Heang Tak and Greater Dandenong mayor Eden Foster, and representatives of Monash Children's Hospital spoke about raising funds for people who need medical treatment. Each night ended with Khmer food stalls and local Cambodian singers.[4]
Thousands came to the Khmer New Year celebrations from April 11 to 13, 2025. Each day opened with chanting and a blessing ceremony led by the temple's monks, followed by a lunch of Cambodian food. Afternoons brought religious activities and traditional Khmer games, and each night a Khmer food festival offered food, cakes, live dancing and music.[5]
Visiting
The temple grounds are listed at 159 to 171 Clarke Road.[1][2] The temple is wheelchair accessible.[2] The World Buddhist Directory (2020) also gives a second telephone number, (03) 9546 3466, and the email address cbav.office@gmail.com.[1]
Associations
Cambodian Buddhist Association Of Victoria Inc. (associated organization).[6]
BuddhaNet explicitly lists this association as the affiliation of Wat Buddharangsi in Springvale South. The listing does not establish property ownership.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 BuddhaNet, World Buddhist Directory: Victoria
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Localsearch, Wat Buddharangsi Melbourne
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Dandenong Star Journal, 30 year celebration of Cambodian Buddhist Sangha Congress (January 18, 2026)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Dandenong Star Journal, Blessings bestowed for New Year (April 18, 2023)
- ↑ Dandenong Star Journal, Wat Buddharangsi celebrates Khmer New Year (April 14, 2025)
- ↑ Victoria