Day 75: Watt Munisotaram, Hampton, Minnesota
📌APIA Every Day (75) - The Watt Munisotaram, the largest “Watt” in the U.S, located in Hampton, Minnesota, was established in response to the influx of Cambodian refugees in Minnesota in the mid-1970s. As the need for a Cambodian Buddhist monastery arose, the Minnesota Cambodian Buddhist Society, Inc. (MCBS), a non-profit organization, addressed the need in 1982. Led by Mrs. Kan Sally, the community reached out to Venerable Ung Mean from the Buddhist monastery in Washington D.C., requesting a monk to lead the formation of a monastery in Minneapolis.
Under Venerable Son Chey Sothy's leadership from 1982 to 1986, preparations began, and a house in Minneapolis served as a temporary worship place and residence for the monk. In 1985, with support from the Cambodian community, MCBS purchased a house in Eagan, marking the start of the Cambodian Buddhist monastery. With the desire for a more permanent location, Venerable Thach Son, the second abbot, led efforts to purchase a 40-acre farmland in Hampton in 1988.
The farmland initially had a small house and two barns. A new bank loan resulted in the expansion of the house to serve as a residence for monks and a temporary temple. Under the leadership of Venerable Sang Moeng since 1998, plans for a permanent temple took shape between 2000 and 2001, with construction completed in 2007. Continuing their efforts, MCBS initiated the construction of the Sakyakmuni Stupa in 2010 to enshrine the holy relics of the Buddha. This ongoing project includes a base covering 3,600 square feet and three levels, symbolizing different aspects of Buddhist philosophy.
The Watt Munisotaram continues to undergo renovations and additional features to meet the needs of the local Cambodian community and serves as a sacred place to practice Buddhist traditions.
LEARN MORE:
Munisotaram: Brief History of Watt Munisotaram - Permanent Places of MCBS
CNN Travel: Watt Munisotaram (Hampton, Minnesota)
Mspmag: Little Temple on the Prairie
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