I've been more in touch with my spirituality lately so have been visiting more temples. The power of prayer is real. Stopped at this beautiful Cambodian temple with the gang, and prayed for a lot of things and people. I was so immersed in my thoughts that I didn't even take as many photos as I normally do. Just know this Buddhist temple has many beautiful statues representing multiple reasons: peace, love, positive energy, happiness, etc. So -- if you're in the area, stop in to visit the beautiful grounds and say hello to the monks who reside there. Keep praying y'all. read more

Wat Meangkolvorn - Pray. - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

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(Please reference my photos of our last visit to see the challenges this Wat is facing now, this is my updated, concerning review, please reference my last one to see what it used to be like). For some time now, the board and the leaders have changed at this organization. The change has consequently created some concerning rifts and made the new organization leaders act in some questionable ways. I hope you might read this review not to deter you from entering this temple, but so that if they do allow you to enter, that it might grant you an awareness and deep compassion that might also affect those around you. So yes, the people voted and like so many countries and "democracies" out there, new people were brought into this Wat to tend to prior complaints about "a poor looking temple". These people have big plans to have bigger statues, sturdier buildings, and corporate minded monks. And it's just what we need at buddhist temples; just like some others pointed out-- I mean how dare a place of worship LOOK poor? I mean what are they doing even housing buddhist monks who practice austerity to provide walking examples of how to implement moral instruction---those monks should have jobs and maybe even pay rent just like the rest of us who worship there! Well, that wish just came true. The new leaders have requested that monks that live there, if they are not aligned with the new changes, must pay rent. And when they do not, those new organization leaders find the legal support to evict those monks who want to uphold true buddhist values so that they are forced into the streets, obliging them even more so to fully implement the sacred doctrines that the Buddha has taught them to embody. And now we spectators are witnessing a moment of darkness and deep internal struggle that is so a part of the duality of life, hoping that the darkness will recognize its interdependence with its equally needed opposing force, so that the sacred balance can be restored both at this temple and in the hearts of those who frequent it. I witnessed all these changes the last time I visited this temple as members of the community rallied up to support the monk that was ousted but we were not allowed to enter as the gates were chained and locked. Even as a little girl, the gates of buddhist temples were never locked. This meant that I could always come into say a prayer to an ancestor or light some incense hoping that my mantras might be heard at anytime of the day. It meant that even without an appointment or a phone call, that in the most hopeless of times, I could show up unannounced to find my mother feeding the monks to fulfill her duties as a layman by filling the stomachs of the monks who live there, who chant into the night when our dead are gone to ensure us that we might get a glimpse of a life far from samsara. Now you see, I gave this place 3 stars because even as the gates of this temple are locked to me and selective community members, the gates of enlightenment are not. They remain open inside me and to those of us who still choose unity, compassion, and the path towards true nirvana even as the quaint Sunday days of community and worship are taken from us, with not even an inkling of hope that they might return. They remain open as the false ideologies of despotic regimes have not completely dissipated from some of the minds of those they used to tyrannically rule. Finally, these internal gates remain open because the moral values and philosophies are the true foundations of a temple and even if I stand alone, I will stand---- no I will sit here, and maybe under a tree, until we all have been awakened. read more

Wat Meangkolvorn - They knew we were coming but locked us out to deter our hope. - Buddhist Temples Near Me - Santa Rosa, California

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My knowledge of Buddhism is limited but I always thought it a quiet contemplative religion. I guess not! This compound has raucous amplified prayer services without consideration of their neighbors. Last April their celebration of the Khmer New Year was appalling. I am listening to them right now, I can't help it.....their 'music' shakes my windows and drowns out my TV. The only reason I didn't give them zero stars is because this is not a weekly event, but it's frequent enough to make me want to call the sheriff's department on them. read more

I have been there before while working . Usually I avoid talking about personal beliefs at work , but because I have been interested In Buddhism since I read Siddartha as a kid and had a Thai fiancé at the time I asked if we could come here so she could feel more at home , the response I got was more than welcoming. I think Many people here have "Jai Di Maak Maak" , unfortunately never made it back , but plan on it soon. read more

This isn't a temple that one would expect. This is simply a lot off a dirt road residential area- turned into a place of worship and gathering for Cambodian Buddhist. It really shows you how economically poor Cambodian people are in this area, or CA for that matter, as I have been to many. Regardless, we are happy to have a place to worship. The lot have several small homes, which houses several monks. In the back is a cute pagoda for visitors. The pagoda contains 5 huge statues of Buddha. In the main entrance of the lot stands two lions and a giant standing Buddha. Ceremonies are held by the Buddhist calendar. During these times, you can expect several hundred visitors from the Bay Area. All cultures and backgrounds are welcome to join the festivities! The temple comes alive with plenty of food and vendors. Its really fun! On a daily basis, volunteers arrive daily to take care of the monks and the temple grounds. In all honestly, it's hard to rate a religious establishment. I gave this temple a 3 star. One day it will be a 5 star, I'm sure. It's a fairly new temple, still in need of donations to continue it's development stages. read more

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