13 years later posting another review…read more Still a very lively place to come during the Cambodian New Year. It's actually gotten busier than ever. Lots of vendors. The lines for the food has gotten longer. What can you do? Gotta eat. lol What I've learned is just to get the stuff I don't get very often. Stuffed angel wings & Cambodian style fried bananas, especially. Since it's hot, grab some more food to take home & have a refreshing drink for the ride home too, since it's so hot. Glad all the huge statues are still there. Still very colorful place. Love coming here for the New Year to celebrate. Just gotta know what you're doing, because it's very crowded.

Gated temple, tons of parking, a lot of bathroom stalls (they hired workers to maintain during new…read moreyears), tons of vendors, statues, designated blessing station and eating area. They had ton of spots to sit and rest all throughout the temple. The stage was filled with tradional dancing and the parade around, love it here!

Super beautiful Buddhist temple and very well kept. I have taken my nieces on two separate…read moreoccasions to enjoy an afternoon of prayer, reflection, and relaxation -- and they all loved the experience. The entire site is decorated very beautifully with bright red lanterns and Buddha statues. I'm Buddhist by association but am not exactly sure of all the roles each Buddha represent -- I know a few but not all. This temple has a lot of Buddhas spread out so if you're curious about what a specific Buddha stands for -- just ask someone in the temple. When you walk into the temple, go directly to the right to light incense (which are already bundled individually in batches of 21). From there, just circle around and say a prayer to ever Buddha alter. I would suggest going in order. There's a beautiful pond outside and if you visit in the afternoon -- the sun will help shade one part of the fountain so it's relaxing to hang out with a coffee or boba drink with your favorite people.

June 11th, weekend before the rice dumplings festival, I cooked some sticky rice （油飯）to pay my…read morerespect It is the time of the year for the lotus come back alive

Today, i attended the annual Sacramento Buddhist Church bazaar, located on Riverside Blvd and X…read moreStreet. I have attended this popular bazaar since the 1960's for the food, games, crafts and music. The East Wind Band was scheduled today, but I missed them. There were a few games for the little kids to win prizes ($1 per ticket) and a spin wheel game to win money, if the wheel lands on the number you put your money on. I played 5 games, lost each one, and was answering a question to the worker, when they spun the wheel right away, and my numbers hit double before I could put my money down. The server said "my bad, sorry " knowing it was his fault, so that was my clue to stop! There was a large variety of foods to choose from. My favorite is the teriyaki chicken, but they were out of it by the time I got there. They had curry bowls, ebi (tempura shrimp) teriyaki sandwiches, gyoza, etc. outside for purchase, and a variety of sushi and udon noodles inside, with plenty of tables for eating out of the heat. I ordered a California roll, Inari, and a spam musubi. They tasted okay, and could've been fine without it, but I mainly ordered to help support the church's fundraiser. I didn't order the food outside, because it was a hot day, and i didn't know how long they've been sitting out on the racks. I did not find any crafts this year of which I was looking for. They included a booth for mochi and manju this year, and it was really popular. Though there seemed to be less booths and no crafts goods or plants for sale this year, I always look forward to this annual event.

Came out for the annual bazaar at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento and wow--this year was way…read morebigger than before. Almost too big! We arrived right at opening and it was bumper-to-bumper with people. Definitely a packed house. They've added a bus service now, which is a smart move given how popular it's become. Tons of food options, cultural booths, performances, and community vibes. You can really feel the heart and tradition behind it all. That said, I'm not a fan of big crowds, so this might be my last time attending. But if you love lively events and want to experience a slice of Japanese-American culture, this bazaar delivers.

My Thai grandmother took me for the first time 25 years ago, because I was suffering. I had a…read morephysical reaction to their prayers. The energy cracked inside and released. I have been a supporter since. They married me and my husband as well as provided services for my mother's Buddhist funeral. They work through donations and are legitimate and devout. The level of service they provide to the community is monumental. They have Thai writing and speaking classes as well as Thai dance instruction. My daughter learned to dance there when she was young. I am eternally grateful to the monks and the Thai community.

Thai festival The…read morereason why i came here was because i heard about a thai food bazaar. i have never been to a thai bazaar, but i have been to a Japanese bazaar; which is awesome each time i go. Anyways i was really looking forward to learning about the CULTURE, FOOD AND DRINKS, AND PEOPLE. Layout/vibe It is a very simple temple in a more run down neighbor hood. The temple had a simple room where you would take off your shoes and go inside and pray and make a wish. They did have a tent outside where they had food which was free and offered to anyone who kindly made a donation from a dollar and up. There was also another option where you purchase food togo. Also they did have another tent for people to pour wax into the candle and make a wish and pray. I have noticed before you step into the temple or mat, you would have to take off hats and shoes before entering in, to show your respect. Food LARB I bought a box for $5 which is a good amount served! It had a lot of herbs and flavor to it, also it wasn't spicy. I did paired it up with some cabbage and sticky rice and some of my home made thai chili sauce and i had no problem gobbling it haha. I believe it was cooked beef with some beef tendon inside to give it a bit more chewy texture. SAUSAGES These pork sausages were awesome! its like all other pork sausages where it is moist and each bite was filled with pork grease! haha.... anyways cut it up into small pieces and paired with a slice of cabbage and my homemade thai chili sauce and some sticky rice with it. CHICKEN WINGS I had the char grilled, well more like bbq chicken wings! when i saw it on the grill, my eyes went glowing! also it was only $2 and its going to charity so that even a big plus! loved it even though i thought it was lacking in flavor but with some homemade salsa to spice it up, it solved the problem right there. PAPAYA SALAD Awesome Thai style made! They had the option of $5 or $7. Which comes with noodles and some sort or plant which looked like snow peas. As they were making it, they let us taste it to see if it was spicy or sour enough. We needed a bit more salt and they solved the problem real quick and added some more fish sauce to make it to perfection. Awesome portion size and was definitely tasty! love the fresh tomatoes that the chef was cutting it like a pro! Drinks THAI TEA My friend loves this! it was very rich and creamy! it was only $2 which was steal for the quality of it and size as well. i was refreshing to sip that in the heat. THAI GREEN TEA I order this one, because i never had a thai green tea before. I love this texture more that thai tea. This one has a smooth after taste texture and was rich and creamy as well. I am glad i got this one since i haven't seen else where really sell this. Desserts NAM WAN They has these dessert similar to three color, with coconut milk and lots of different color and sizes of tapioca inside to chew on. These were only $1 if your a nam wan fan! THAI COCONUT JELLO DESSERT This was unexpectedly good. I mean it came in an order of 6, which is made fresh when you place the order. Outside is golden crisp like a waffle and inside was hot and light refreshing coconut flavor with a jello texture. Awesome thai dessert i have try for the first time. i will include a picture to my review to show you how it looks. People Awesome! i mean i saw monks and thai people wearing traditional clothing for the ladies. It was more of a casual events but always awesome to see people dress in their own culture clothing. Nice and friendly people serving food and working there. They did have some trouble with english, but i had no problem with asking price to the foods. Parking Since it was like in a farm land area, the parking was on sand or dirt, and unpaved roads. Lots of parking which wasn't an issue. Location In a more run down neighbor hood, in the north area. But it was great to discover a thai temple, where in the future they have any more thai events, i know where it is held at. Overall Saw a different perspective about the thai culture, food, clothing, people, and temple. Love my thai hot spicy food! and will be back for future events.

Wonderful temple. Non profit, so they run off the kindness of the patrons. This temple is smaller…read morewhich allows you to connect with the community. Also, some the photos on here are of a different temple.

Beautiful temple! Went w family. Was on a really hot day so…read morewe didn't stay long. Overall enjoyed looking at all the diff Buddhist statues depicting the life of Buddha. We didn't go during an event so free to enter and free to park.

Went to a nice Buddhist temple. The drive was a little far, but it was absolutely worth it.read more

Everyone here is very friendly. The space is spacious, clean, beautiful and solemn. Parking is also…read morevery convenient!

Happy that there's a local Thai buddist temple in the Fairfield area. The monks are friendly…read more Sometimes they have festivals where volunteers make authentic Thai food to get donations in for the temple. They also have events for Thai citizens to get their Thai passports and Thai ID cards renewed. Very convenient!

Beautiful temple with very nice monks. Come and see for yourself…read more Wat Chaimongkol is well known by supporting from the people in different locations such as Bay areas, Fairfield, San Francisco and etc. Later on, June 25, 2009 is regarded as the best auspicious day of the time 9 A.M. and 9 minutes. All monks officially moved in living until now. Nowadays, Wat Chaimongkol is also officially acknowledged as a member of Assembly of Thai Monks organization so that it is a legal institutation in both secular and religious views. The total area of the current place is nearly a half of an acre with two buildings. In the big building with 2,422 sq. ft., there are 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 reception room, 1 kitchen room and 1 dining room. In the small building with 900 sq.ft. there are 2 bedrooms 1 store-room and a 2 car garage. The space between two buildings is suitable for doing activities. Moreover, there is a large area at the front suitable for 10 cars parking excluded from the area of main road and than of informal education school.

Started going here about 7 years ago when I moved up here from the bay. The Lama is pretty chill…read more(Westerner). It's a divers and varied group here and the place offers meditation service for sober living people too. They have all kinda of free services, but they are a non-profit 5013c, which means they rely on donations from the public to survive and offer services. They host lots of special guests from India monasteries and offer access to their Lama (whom teaches occasionally) for Darshan (meetings w/the Lama for spiritual guidance). This is a special place in Midtown/East Sac!

This was my second time here. I thought I wrote a review last year but I guess not. Anyway the…read morepeople here are always welcoming and very nice. The Llama is extremely nice and welcoming as well. It's a beautiful temple. My sister and brother in law go here regularly and when I'm in town, I tag a long with them. I took a few pictures before the service started. If you're looking for a Buddhist temple, I highly recommend this one they are always welcoming and always welcoming new parishioners. I forgot to add they have counseling and a few classes here as well. I believe they are starting a book club soon too.

Serene and beautiful monastery grounds. Happy to discover a hidden gem in the hills. When you first…read moreturn in you'll drive along a small tree-lined road and go up the hill to their gated entrance. You may have to call their intercom to enter through the gate if they are not currently hosting an event. When you first visit, go to the reception office for an intro about the monastery and their activities. You can join their regularly scheduled meditation classes and dharma classes. The building to the left of that is where they hold Buddhist classes and talks. To the left of that is a small hill and walking nature loop to see a Kuan Yin statue placed within a circular, eight petaled lotus mandala. The walk has beautiful views of the surrounding distance. Down towards the right is the temple, which is only open to the public during events. They recently finished some renovations inside their main temple and outside gardens. The gardens behind and below the temple opens to expansive views too, yet is still undergoing construction. You can see a small pagoda with a Kuan Yin statue and a rectangle platform with a statue of the Buddha. Inside the temple, it is common etiquette to remove your shoes, place them in a shoe cabinet along the wall, and wear socks inside (no bare feet allowed here) during events. There are bathrooms and a water station too. I joined a recent Friday meditation gathering and it was nicely organized and run very well. They have a welcoming sangha community too.

Beautiful scenery and grounds. The peace I felt was incredible. I love it here. I highly recommend.read more

Cambodian New Year at Wat Khmer Lodi was vibrant and memorable--great energy, traditional music,…read moreand delicious authentic Cambodian food. A true cultural experience!

This temple and some of the monks here left a bitter taste in my mouth…read more I attended my friend dad's memorial service at Cherokee Memorial on Sunday 6/23/2024 in Lodi Ca . My friend financial contributions for 9 monks from the hours of 12:30 pm -3pm. The monks were 1:45 one hour and 45 minutes late !!! to the service. When they did arrive a few were standing outside smoking cigarettes, one of the son in law of the deceased asked the monks to step inside the service hall. One of the monks replied " we are waiting for the rest of the monk to arrive". Considering my friend spoke with the head monk weeks prior to her dad's service. He assured her he will take care of the process . To find out the head monk never conveyed the itinerary to Acha (Monks assistant ) or any representative from the temple. There we all sat waiting for the monks arrival and clearly the Acha and the guess speaker were confused on what to do. The Acha , monk assistant didn't know he was to take part in the service. Minutes later the deceased widow asked for his help . Acha took to the microphone and he apologized to the attendees for the confusion and stated he was not aware he was appointed to assist in the funeral service. By the time all the Monks arrived , the speakers hastily rushed to packed a 4 hour service session into the remaining 1:30 one hour and thirty minutes. I over heard a few of the monks discussing amongst themselves " the service they went to in the morning prior , the other family did not have enough money to pay them " . this concludes the reasons for their delay to my friend dad's funeral . This clearly explains these monks at this temple has no compassion to serve their community, their motifs is transactional and greed $$. It is very unprofessional and disrespectful to the bereaved families and friends for what the Monks did, I have no respect . I also went to the Sunday evening monks chanting and Monday morning chanting service as well in the temple. This clearly defines what I have been thinking and the same sentiment with some of my family and friends discussion on our way here . Again at the temple on Sunday some of the monks were late and one sat there with his sunglasses on with a disgruntled demeanor because he didn't want to participate in the chanting . ( we noticed the disgruntled monk sat there the entire session with out uttering a word ) . When it came time to collect the monetary donations , one of the monk announced how much he suggested for us to "donate $100 per monk or $50 per monk is good ". When a lady walked up to place her offering in the collection tray . That same monk made a comment , " I thought it was $100 but it's only $10 bill she is donating ". Then he followed by I was just kidding remarks . Well, not all of us found it amusing to hear him make that type of statement and to belittle that lady . Some of us left the chanting hall after that remarks to sit outside . We came to the same conclusion. Whether the lady donated a penny or any amount $$ the monk should have gratuitously accepted what anyone can contribute. The Monks actions alone show us they do not have the empathetic qualities made for serving the community, their existence here is income based only .