A Cambodian American family engages in a fortune telling activity known as Kau Chim at Wat Khemara Buddhikaram, Long Beach, CA. In the lower right of this picture are strips of bamboo in a bamboo container. The strips each have a number inscribed on them that corresponds to fortunes written on small pieces of paper attached to the front of the altar (these can be seen in image 12). An individual holds the container between their hands, tilts the container to a 45-degree angle away from their body, and gently shakes the container up and down until one of the bamboo strips emerges from the rest. The person then reads the fortune with the same number as on the bamboo strip. (Courtesy of Kayte Deioma Photography)
Wat Khemara Buddhikaram, Long Beach, CA. When first entering the main sanctuary, it is customary to light a stick of incense, kneel before the Buddha, and pray silently. After praying the person bows at the waist (sampeah) three times and then places the incense in a bowl at the base of the altar.
Wat Khemara Buddhikaram, Long Beach, CA, a mother and child offer incense at the temple. When first entering the main sanctuary, it is customary to light a stick of incense, kneel before the Buddha, and pray silently. After praying the person bows at the waist (sampeah) three times and then places the incense in a bowl at the base of the altar. (Courtesy of Kayte Deioma Photography)
This is an offering to the ancestors during Pchum Ben, a ceremony held in mid-October to honor not only deceased family members but all spirits. The bowls are Buddhist alms bowls. Buddhist monks are not allowed to cook so each morning they go from house to house in the village to collect offerings of food in their bowls. This is part Buddhist practice which teaches the monks humility and provides the laity with the opportunity to increase their merit by feeding the monks. During Pchum Ben all souls are free to return to the earth to meet with their ancestors at the temple. The monks’ bowls are lined up on a table and each person places a spoonful of rice in each bowl as an offering to their ancestors.
A child sits beside her mother and grandmother at Wat Khemara Buddhikaram (Wat Willow), in Long Beach, CA. Their hands are pressed together in a prayer known as Sampeah Preah in Khmer. Sampeah generally means to pay respect and Preah means to convey that something is sacred or noble. As Buddhist monks chant, the lay people sompeah to show respect to the monks and to receive their blessings.
Elders prepare for a ceremony at Wat Khemara Buddhikaram. The women dressed in all white are look yeiy, or “respected grandmothers.” They have retired into the temple to meditate and prepare for the next life. Other visitors, such as the woman at the far left, dress in a white shirt and black pants or skirt when visiting the temple for a ceremony.
