About The Lao- American Buddhist Monks Council
The Lao-American Buddhist Monks Council was established in 1981 by current Council President, Ven. Abbot Bouakeo Sengsouriya. The purpose of the Council is to unite & reunite Lao-American Buddhist monks in the USA; to promote Buddhist teachings, tradition, and literature; to encourage & expand the construction of Lao Buddhist temples, monasteries, and centers throughout the USA; to assist & support Lao-American Buddhist monks, and to give support and encouragement to the minds and hearts of all.
In what we know today as Laos, almost the entire population practices Buddhism, with the temple, or Wat, serving as the center of village life. Most Lao-Americans are also Buddhists, though many have converted to Protestant Christianity, especially in areas where there is no significant Laotian community to sustain traditional practices. Additionally, due to a lack of funds, Lao-American Buddhist temples are frequently established in converted garages, private homes, and other makeshift centers.
In 1976, approximately ten thousand refugees from Laos fled across the border into Thailand and were admitted to the United States. By 1990, according to the U.S. Census, there were about 150,000 Lao-Americans living in the United States. Today, the majority of Lao-Americans maintain a low profile in the United States, and consequently, few Americans have much knowledge of Laotian culture and people. As a result, the everyday American knows Laotian people by stereotypes, whether positive or negative, rather than by the reality of rich culture and people.
To this day, many Lao-Americans retain the values from our homeland. Most significant among these values is the practice of Buddhism, which pervades every aspect of Lao-American life; while individual Lao-Americans may not follow all Buddhist teachings, its philosophy serves as a behavioral guide.
This year, at the 2022 Annual General Conference, we are honored to gather with an interfaith community at the Salt Lake City Capitol, and to collectively recognize and bless our newly constructed temple in West Valley City, Utah.
Fundraiser: Wat Lao SLC New Year’s Artist & Performers
We are thrilled to introduce our GoFundMe campaign, dedicated to supporting young Asian artists and performers at the Lao New Year event at Wat Lao SLC. Our mission is to provide a platform for individuals between the ages of 5 and 18 to connect with their heritage, express themselves through art, and foster intercultural connections.
Lao New Year is a vibrant celebration that embraces the rich traditions of Lao culture, and is an opportunity to showcase the diversity of the Asian diaspora at large. However, many young artists within our communities lack the necessary resources to fully participate in these meaningful experiences. Our goal is to bridge this gap and give these talented individuals an opportunity to shine.
The funds raised will directly benefit pageant contestants and performers, helping them overcome financial barriers to their involvement. By supporting these young artists, we can inspire and empower them to become ambassadors of their cultures, promoting understanding and appreciation for the diverse Asian diaspora.
Thank you for your generosity and for being a part of this incredible endeavor!
Community News/Events
Find Community News & Event information Below
🎉 A Memorable Wat Lao Festival 🎉
We can't contain our excitement as we reflect on the incredible moments that unfolded at the Wat Lao festival over the weekend! One of the...
Lao-American Buddhist Monks Council gather – celebration of new temple
A Special Thanks
We want to give a tremendous thanks to our volunteers from:
Hunter 8th ward Youth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
And
Troop 111 of Magna
Support Your Community
We are proud of our members and the community they have help create.
Some of our members have recently been awarded flags from the state of Utah in recognition of their exemplary spirit of volunteerism to the community and success of the Wat Lao Salt Lake Buddharam.
In-Kind Donations
Wat Lao Salt Lake Buddharam is accepting donations to help grow our community!
In-Kind Donations Needed:
• Kitchen supplies
• Bathroom supplies
• Office supplies
• Tables & chairs
Donations can be delivered to the temple any day, any time. Please package donations in sealed bags or boxes, and clearly label them as donations for Wat Lao Salt Lake Buddharam.
Delivery address: 7010 W Parkway Blvd, WVC, UT 84128
Or text to arrange for pickup: 385-274-8895
Monetary Donations
Monetary donations can be made via Venmo.
Tax deduction ID provided upon request.
Please text Lena Sisavath-Pham at:
385-274-8895
Community Care
Much Needed Help
There are members in our community that need your help. If you are willing, we would be very greatful if you were able to volunteer and provide much needed assistance.
Our Community Celebrates
We are excited for our upcoming temple. Our community will benefit greatly by having our new facility to a sacred space for our members. We hope you will do us the honor of sharing this space with you.