Cambodian Buddhist Maha Visakha Puja Celebrations

On May 24th-26th 2019 the Cambodian Buddhist Temple Watt Munisotoram, one of the largest Cambodian Buddhist Temples in North America, will be celebrating Maha Visakha Puja, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment (nirvana) and parinirvana of the historical Buddha.

In honor of this festival, the Watt will host a three day celebration, which is open to the public.
The festival will involve the participation of 250 Buddhist monks from monastaries in the U.S. and abroad. In conjunction with the festival, the monks will be gathering for the convention of the Cambodian Buddhist Monk Society. The three days of ceremonies include the making of ritual offerings to before images of the Buddha, and to the monks, talks on Buddhist dharma, as well the chanting of the Tipitaka, which literally means the “three baskets” and refers to the collection of sacred doctrinal texts of the Theravada Buddhist canon, written in Pali. The festival will also include processions, the raising of the Buddhist flag, culture performance, the art of Bokator (the star of Surviving Bokator) and live music throughout the three day celebrations.

The Watt Munisotoram is one of Minnesota’s hidden treasures. Located next to farmlands in Hampton, Minnesota, the Watt is an architectural marvel. In addition to the spectacular temple building, the 40 acre property includes a stupa (where relics of the Buddha and two of his disciples are housed), and the Mucalinda reflection pond.

The Watt Munisotoram was started in 1983 by Cambodian refugees who first met in a homes in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Eagan before purchasing land in Hampton, MN in 1988. Construction on the main temple began in 2002 and the Watt’s community and magnificence have grown continuously since that time. The Watt Munisotoram leadership invites the community at large to come witness and celebrate this historic festival.