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Welcome to Wat Champou Ruckha Vanaram
Welcome to Wat Champou Rukha Vanaram
A Khmer Buddhist Temple in San Diego
Wat Champou Rukha Vanaram is a Khmer Buddhist Association and Meditation Center. It is located in 3303 45th street San Diego, California 92105, and was founded in 2007, by Most Venerable Khmemadhammo, Phra Prakob, and Most Venerable Soun Sanan. It has existed through two Most Venerables and now served under the leadership of its third generation monk, Venerable Pannapadipo, Viet Thach, or commonly known as Venerable Sang Kosol. The temple is open to serving Buddhist religious activities for individuals who are interested in Buddhism or meditation practices for creating peace and happiness for community and others.
About Us
Wat Champou Rukha Vanaram (Jambu Rukha Vanaram) or commonly known as "Wat 45th Street" was founded in 2000. It was situated near Hoover High School, which is located in San Diego, California. It opened for service for approximately 5 year from 2000 - 2005.
In 2007, due to its inability to accommodate the increasing Buddhist lay people, the Board of Directors unanimously concurred along with Buddhist lay people to relocate to the temple's current ground at 3303 45th Street, San Diego, California, 92105.
Since its inception at the new ground, the temple operated under the leadership of two Most Venerables: Khemadhammo Prakob and Thiradhammo Soun Sanan. Most Venerable (Ajarn) Prakob was born on June 6, 1942, and was recognized as the temple's first abbot, a monastic leader from 2000 to 2005, then again from 2007, until his passing in January of 2019. Most Venerable (Ajarn) Soun Sanan was born on February 25, 1942. He was officially the second abbot and served concurrently alongside Ajarn Prakob, from 2007, until he passed away on April 10, 2022.
Venerable Pannapadipo, Sang Kosol, was invited by the temple Board of Directors to lead the monastery. He officially served since March 1, 2023, and has been officially since been appointed as the temple's abbot.
