The Pluralism Project at Harvard UniversityCenter Profile
Community of Khmer Buddhist Monks Temple Watsaosoksan of South Carolina (2003)
Theravada (Buddhism)
Description
Activities and Schedule
Every day 7:00 A.M. & 11:00 A.M. feeding of the monks/meditation (Saturday and Sunday are days of gathering.)For lay Buddhists, preparing food and feeding the monks are ways of earning merit in order to prevent or decrease their number of rebirths. In Theravada Buddhism, monks can only eat two meals a day-- breakfast and lunch-- because they are not allowed to eat solid foods after noon. Monks are not permitted to make their own food, so in temples such as this one the women traditionally prepare the food while the men serve it to the monks. The food is usually vegetarian. In monasteries in Cambodia, monks go around the community with begging bowls collecting food. But in this community in South Carolina, food is brought to them in the temple by community members following the schedule above.
Special Gathering Times: On full and half moons, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Crop Days temple members gather to give thanks and praise while meditating.
Sao Corn, the head monk, teaches and meditates at the temple and in prisons. He hopes to nurture the goodness in mankind. He also visits people’s homes to comfort, counsel, and pray with them in their times of need.
History
This temple was founded in 1998 as a center where Cambodians could gather to share ideas, language, and memories of their heritage.Description
The center is located in rural Wellford, SC. Members of the community built the temple building and angel house. The wooden structure is a two-story building supported on log beams. The temple and adjoining land were purchased through donations by the congregation.Food
The foods served at the temple include Cambodian, Thai, Vietnamese, Laotian, and Chinese dishes. Women prepare food for the monks when they are at the temple at 7:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M.Links
The Meaning of Food at the Cambodian TempleFood Profile with Tina Ya
Oriental Food Market Profile
Recipe-- Tina Ya's Springrolls
Research by:
Joy Ann Lane 12/10/2002Date Center Founded
1998
Religious Leader and Title
Sao Corn, Head of the United Nations of Cambodian Monks
Membership
300
Ethnic Composition
Primarily Cambodian, and also Chinese, American, Malaysian, Vietnamese, and Laotian.
Affiliation with Other Communities/Organizations
The temple is not affiliated with any particular organization. The Oriental Supermarket located off of Asheville Highway is an important component of the temple, because food is purchased for the temple through this store.