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Welcome To The San Jose Cambodian Buddhist Society

Buddhism is the world's fourth-largest religion with over 520 million followers, or over 7% of the global population, known as Buddhists. Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings attributed to the Buddha and resulting interpreted philosophies. Buddhism, founded in the late 6th century B.C.E. by Siddhartha Gautama (the "Buddha"), is an important religion in most of the countries of Asia.

MISSION

"Our goal is to preserve Cambodian Buddhist Culture, assist the Cambodian people in the process of adapting to the new way of life in the United States and preserve their identity. To operate for educational, artistic, religious and charitable purposes."

HISTORY

The San Jose Cambodian Buddhist Society was founded and incorporated in the year 1986 by Abbot, venerable Chum Choeum. Originally it was started in a small house at 1833 Luby Dr., San Jose, CA 95133. In the year 1988 moved to an old house located in the current location 2751 Mervyns Way, San Jose, CA 95127. In the year 2008, started construction of The current Buddhist Society and finished in the year 2010.

A brief biography of the former abbot of the Cambodian Buddhist Society of San Jose. Venerable Khemacharo Chum Chuem, the former abbot of Wat Khmer San Jose, was born on Monday, August 20th 1925 in Battambang Province, Cambodia. He is preceded in death by his father Keem Chum, his mother Nou Mom, and sisters Chum Rey, and Chum Ruet; he left behind his sisters Chum Rai in Cambodia, Chum Tip, in Modesto, and brother Keem Seum in Modesto.

Mahathera Khemacharo, at the age of 14, was ordained as a Buddhist monk at Wat Kampong Preah, in Battambang, Cambodia. He studied the Dhamma, and provided services to the local Buddhists for five years before leaving to Thailand in 1943. The venerable received his upasampada, or higher ordination, at the age of 22 at Wat Patulalithirajawong Viham in Na Mueng, Chachoengsao, Thailand in 1946. His Preceptors bestowed the name Khemajaro, meaning one who is calm, upon this higher ordination. Following his upasampada, he left Chachoengsao and followed his preceptors to Bangkok to pursue Buddhist studies. In Bangkok, he resided at Wat TRaimit in aowarat. He completed his primary Vinaya studies in 1949, and completed his Pali studies in 1953. He was bestowed the title Maha Prasert upon the completion of his Pali Studies.

Between 1968 and 1973, he was invited to be part of the Theravada Sangha in Malaysia. Following this, he was then invited to be part of the Sangha in Singapore. in 1980, he was invited to the Sima Ceremony at Wat Thai Los Angeles, and has lived in United States ever since. In 1986, he found the Cambodian Buddhist Society of San Jose. The Venerable Mahathera Dr. Nandiswara, a Sri Lankan monk, was also an important member of the Cambodian Buddhist Society's early period. Venerable Khemacharo Chum Choeum, popularality known as Maha Prasert, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 18th, 2016, at the age of 92 due to old age. He had been a monk of 78 of those years. He has been an incredibly important resource, not just to the Cambodian Americans of the Bay Area, but to all individuals that have discovered a spiritual hunger that only a buddhist monk can relieve. He has left a legacy of strong commitment to Buddhism and the Cambodian community.