Wat
Wat Buddhavajanaram
Wat Buddhavajanaram is a Khmer Buddhist temple on Nash Avenue in Elyria, Ohio, in a former church bought by Cambodian Buddhists from Cleveland.[1] It is also spelled Watt Buddhavajanaram, Wat Buddhavachanaram and Watt Buddhavacanarama.[2][3]
History
The temple began in Cleveland. Earlier temple directories list Wat Buddhavachanaram at 8609 Denison Avenue there.[4] The Cleveland temple was a converted house with limited driveway access and little parking. As more families came from Cambodia or moved to Cleveland from other states, the cramped building could no longer hold the community.[1]
Members raised the money to buy the former Grace Brethren Church at 1305 Nash Avenue in Elyria. The temple paid $180,000 for the building and spent more on renovations, and it moved to Elyria in 2011.[1][3] About 100 people from several states, most of Cambodian descent, took part in the dedication ceremony, reported in August 2011. The temple is decorated with colorful panels showing scenes from the life of the Buddha.[3] The monk Born Nai called the new temple "a very big moment for the Cambodian community in Northeast Ohio."[3] The day after the dedication, the temple held a ceremony honoring the Triple Gem (the Buddha, the Dhamma or teachings, and the Sangha or community) and observing the Five Precepts, followed by a noon lunch.[3]
Since the purchase, members have repaired the basement and parking lot. In 2024 the temple planned to install central air conditioning, paid for in part by festival proceeds.[1] A 2014 directory lists the temple at the Nash Avenue address with the Cambodian-American Buddhist Association of Greater Cleveland and the telephone number (440) 365-3871.[5] In 2026 the directory of Cambodian Buddhist temples in the United States listed it as the Cambodian-American Buddhist Association of Cleveland, with three monks.[6]
Religious life
Services at the temple include music and chanting.[3] In 2024 worship was held from September 27 to 29.[1]
Cambodian Day
The temple held its first Cambodian Day festival in 2019. The second, over Labor Day weekend in 2024, ran on Saturday and Sunday with traditional food, music, dancing and fellowship, and drew members of Northeast Ohio's small Cambodian community along with families from out of state.[1]
In late August 2025 the temple and the Cambodian-American Buddhist Association hosted Elyria's third annual Cambodian Day. Both days followed the same schedule: religious programs from 9 a.m. to noon, a display of traditional Khmer culture from 1 to 4 p.m., and a live band from 4 to 8 p.m. Admission was free, and visitors could enjoy Cambodian art, music and food.[2]
Associations
Cambodian-American Buddhist Association Of Cleveland (associated organization).[7]
Local reporting co-identifies the temple and Cambodian-American Buddhist Association at Nash Avenue in Elyria. A prior Cleveland location is documented, but the shared event does not establish property ownership.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 The Chronicle-Telegram, Cambodian-American Buddhist Association highlights Cambodian culture in Elyria (September 2, 2024)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Chronicle-Telegram, Cambodian Day will celebrate Cambodian culture Saturday, Sunday (August 29, 2025)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Buddhist Channel, Buddhists celebrate new temple in Elyria (2011)
- ↑ Wat Khemara Ratanaram, Ohio Khmer temple directory
- ↑ Temple News, 2558 Khmer Buddhist Temples Directory (2014)
- ↑ Wat Ratanarangsey blog, 2026 Directory of Wat Khmer or Cambodian Buddhist Temples in the USA
- ↑ Cambodian Day will celebrate Cambodian culture Saturday, Sunday