Wat
Watchansi Bodhiyana Ratanaram
Watchansi Bodhiyana Ratanaram (វត្តច័ន្ទស៊ីពោធិញ្ញាណរតនារាម) is a Theravada Buddhist temple on State Route 92 in Lake Stevens, Washington.[1][2] Its name means Temple of Gems of Wisdom in English, and it is the temple of the Bright Buddhist Association.[2][3]
History
Published address listings for the temple date from 2011 to 2019. The Bright Buddhist Association Watchansi Bodhiyana Ratanaram received its federal tax exemption as a religious and charitable organization in March 2018.[4][3] Its stated activities are Buddhist worship and Buddhist holiday events.[5]
In 2018 the community worshipped in a converted house on a six-acre site north of Lake Stevens. Nearly 400 members were raising money for a much larger temple complex, with building planned to start that year. The plans called for a large dhamma hall and a smaller meditation hall, so the temple could hold cultural ceremonies as well as meditation. The new structure was to be built of wood, joining traditional Southeast Asian elements with those of the Northwest.[2]
The temple
As of 2018, inside the house, a golden Buddha image stood at the center of an ornate altar, surrounded by other Buddha images. Framed paintings of moments in the life of the Buddha hung around the room, with framed diplomas from the monks' training. Outside, the building was decorated with dragons and green-and-white lotus leaves, and an eight-spoked dharma wheel in maroon and red stood in front.[2]
Religious life
In 2018 the temple had two monks: the temple master, Ven. Phomma Phommaly, who is Cambodian, and his student Ven. Aggashri.[2] As of 2026 the temple had three monks.[1] In 2018 its members included Cambodian, Laotian and Thai people, and Ven. Aggashri called it the only Buddhist sangha in the area.[2]
The largest gatherings, which also draw some Westerners, have been for the combined Thai, Lao and Cambodian New Year festival on April 14, for Vesak and for robe offerings. Ven. Aggashri said in 2018 that the temple had good relations with local Christian churches.[2] In 2021 it was one of the Khmer temples in the region where people could go for Khmer New Year.[6]
Associations
Bright Buddhist Association (associated organization).[7]
The updated directory pairs the temple with Bright Buddhist Association at State Route 92 in Lake Stevens. No owner/operator role or registry identifier is supplied.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wat Ratanarangsey blog, 2026 Directory of Wat Khmer or Cambodian Buddhist Temples in the USA
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Northwest Dharma News, Cambodian, Lao and Thai People Band Together to Build Temple in Lake Stevens, Washington (Summer 2018)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 MyTownView, Churches and Places of Worship in Lake Stevens, Washington (2026)
- ↑ TaxExemptWorld, Nonprofit Organizations in Lake Stevens, Washington (2024)
- ↑ YouCanGiveBack, Charities in Lake Stevens, Washington
- ↑ South Seattle Emerald, How to Celebrate Khmer New Year in 2021 (April 14, 2021)
- ↑ 2026 Directory of Wat Khmer or Cambodian Buddhist Temple in the USA