Historical Society of Long Beach

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Venerable Kong Chhean in Long Beach, CA

Venerable Dr. Kong Chhean in Long Beach, CA, 1989. Ven. Kong served not only as the Buddhist religious leader for the community but also as an outreach counselor for the Los Angeles County Asian Mental Health Center in Long Beach.
Venerable Dr. Kong Chhean in Long Beach, CA, 1989. Ven. Kong served not only as the Buddhist religious leader for the community but also as an outreach counselor for the Los Angeles County Asian Mental Health Center in Long Beach.

Venerable Kong Chhean with Prince Norodom Sirivudh

Ven. Kong Chhean (right) with Prince Norodom Sirivudh at the 1989 dedication ceremony for the planting of a Bodhi Tree (Ficus religiosa) from India at Wat Khemara Buddhikaram in Long Beach, CA. The Buddha reached enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree.
Ven. Kong Chhean (right) with Prince Norodom Sirivudh at the 1989 dedication ceremony for the planting of a Bodhi Tree (Ficus religiosa) from India at Wat Khemara Buddhikaram in Long Beach, CA. The Buddha reached enlightenment while meditating under a Bodhi tree.

Venerable Kong Chhean with Student and Teachers

Students and teachers from an English language class stand in front of the Wat Khemara Buddhikaram (Khmer Buddhist Temple) where social programs and English classes were provided throughout the 1990s. The temple, headed by Ven. Kong Chhean (in orange robe), moved to its current location in the former Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Union Hall at 2100 Willow Street in 1988. The Khmer lettering on the building translates to Wat Khmer. Community members refer to the temple as Wat Willow after the street it is on.
Students and teachers from an English language class stand in front of the Wat Khemara Buddhikaram (Khmer Buddhist Temple) where social programs and English classes were provided throughout the 1990s. The temple, headed by Ven. Kong Chhean (in orange robe), moved to its current location in the former Oil, Chemical, and Atomic Workers International Union Hall at 2100 Willow Street in 1988. The Khmer lettering on the building translates to Wat Khmer. Community members refer to the temple as Wat Willow after the street it is on.

Venerable Kong Chhean with monks in Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Venerable Dr. Kong Chhean (far right) with monks at a home in the City of Hawaiian Gardens, CA that served as the first Cambodian Buddhist temple in Southern California. Hawaiian Gardens is on the northeast border of Long Beach. The monk to the left is Benton Pandito, an American who studied in Thailand. The others are unknown.
Venerable Dr. Kong Chhean (far right) with monks at a home in the City of Hawaiian Gardens, CA that served as the first Cambodian Buddhist temple in Southern California. Hawaiian Gardens is on the northeast border of Long Beach. The monk to the left is Benton Pandito, an American who studied in Thailand. The others are unknown.