On Tuesday 14 April this year, Cambodians throughout Australia observed the Cambodian New Year. Cambodian Buddhist Association of Victoria (CBAV) celebrated at its Buddharangsi Temple headquarters in Springvale, Victoria, from 11–16 April, with the major festivities taking place over the weekend. Over 1,500 people were in attendance on each of the two days.
“In Khmer we say ‘Chaul Chnam Thmey,’ which means ‘Enter New Year,’” said Buddharangsi spokesperson Venerable Sambathsam. “In Cambodia, the holiday traditionally lasts three days. New Year’s day usually falls on 13 or 14 April and marks the end of the harvest season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor before the rainy season begins.” The Khmer New Year coincides with the traditional solar New Year in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and several parts of India.
On the opening day of the CBAV celebrations, children offered gifts to their parents, elders, and people in need, to show their respect and appreciation. Everyone lit candles and incense and paid homage to the Buddha, Dhamma, and sangha, with many people wearing traditional dress. At 5 p.m. the venerable sangha performed a blessing puja, followed by a blessing with holy water. All in attendance then had a wonderful evening of music and dance, as well as enjoying the delicious food prepared by volunteers.
On the Sunday, attendees made offerings to the less fortunate in the wider community, bathed the Buddha statues with perfumed and blessed water, and washed their parents’ and grandparents’ feet to atone for any misdeeds in the past year and to show gratitude and respect as well as to purify negative karma.
“Our celebrations also included Dhamma talks on the benefits of practicing dana (generosity), sila (morality), and bhavana (meditation), as well as on virtuous and non-virtuous karma (action) and vipaka (result),” shared Venerable Sambathsam.
CBAV was founded in the mid-1990s, with Buddharangsi Temple’s main ceremony hall opening in 1996 to service Victoria’s growing Cambodian Theravada Buddhist community. The temple currently has ten resident monks, led by its abbot, Venerable Nansudhep, and CBAV’s president, Venerable Ol Sam. Within the extensive grounds are the main hall, the monks’ residence, a kitchen and dining area, and several recreational areas. A new vihara is also under construction, with work due for completion within two years.
CBAV’s regular activities include morning and evening chanting and meditation sessions each day, daily dana, weekly observance of the eight and five precepts for the laity, and weekly Abhidhamma classes. The association also offers Khmer language and culture classes for children and young people on Saturdays, as well as special programs on full and half-moon days and retreats at certain times like the rainy season.
“While maintaining the integrity and truth of the pure Dhamma, we endeavor to modify and transform the Dhamma to meet the needs of the young Cambodian and Australian people,” explained Venerable Sambathsam. “Before I was a monk, I used to be a social worker and a teacher and so understand young Australians well.”
CBAV is actively involved with the local Dandenong Interfaith Network, the Buddhist Council of Victoria, and the UN Vesak organizing committee, and produces a weekly Cambodian Buddhist radio program hosted by the monks. In the near future, the association also plans to increase its Dhamma activities for young people and children.
“In Khmer we say ‘Chaul Chnam Thmey,’ which means ‘Enter New Year,’” said Buddharangsi spokesperson Venerable Sambathsam. “In Cambodia, the holiday traditionally lasts three days. New Year’s day usually falls on 13 or 14 April and marks the end of the harvest season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor before the rainy season begins.” The Khmer New Year coincides with the traditional solar New Year in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and several parts of India.
On the opening day of the CBAV celebrations, children offered gifts to their parents, elders, and people in need, to show their respect and appreciation. Everyone lit candles and incense and paid homage to the Buddha, Dhamma, and sangha, with many people wearing traditional dress. At 5 p.m. the venerable sangha performed a blessing puja, followed by a blessing with holy water. All in attendance then had a wonderful evening of music and dance, as well as enjoying the delicious food prepared by volunteers.
On the Sunday, attendees made offerings to the less fortunate in the wider community, bathed the Buddha statues with perfumed and blessed water, and washed their parents’ and grandparents’ feet to atone for any misdeeds in the past year and to show gratitude and respect as well as to purify negative karma.
“Our celebrations also included Dhamma talks on the benefits of practicing dana (generosity), sila (morality), and bhavana (meditation), as well as on virtuous and non-virtuous karma (action) and vipaka (result),” shared Venerable Sambathsam.
CBAV was founded in the mid-1990s, with Buddharangsi Temple’s main ceremony hall opening in 1996 to service Victoria’s growing Cambodian Theravada Buddhist community. The temple currently has ten resident monks, led by its abbot, Venerable Nansudhep, and CBAV’s president, Venerable Ol Sam. Within the extensive grounds are the main hall, the monks’ residence, a kitchen and dining area, and several recreational areas. A new vihara is also under construction, with work due for completion within two years.
CBAV’s regular activities include morning and evening chanting and meditation sessions each day, daily dana, weekly observance of the eight and five precepts for the laity, and weekly Abhidhamma classes. The association also offers Khmer language and culture classes for children and young people on Saturdays, as well as special programs on full and half-moon days and retreats at certain times like the rainy season.
“While maintaining the integrity and truth of the pure Dhamma, we endeavor to modify and transform the Dhamma to meet the needs of the young Cambodian and Australian people,” explained Venerable Sambathsam. “Before I was a monk, I used to be a social worker and a teacher and so understand young Australians well.”
CBAV is actively involved with the local Dandenong Interfaith Network, the Buddhist Council of Victoria, and the UN Vesak organizing committee, and produces a weekly Cambodian Buddhist radio program hosted by the monks. In the near future, the association also plans to increase its Dhamma activities for young people and children.
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