អំពីយើង · វត្តខ្មែរនៅកាណាដា

Who we are

About our Khmer Buddhist temple in Ottawa

Our temple, run by the Ottawa-Hull Cambodian Buddhist Association (Watt Ratanakpratib), is a Khmer Theravada Buddhist temple in Stittsville, home to Cambodian families who keep their faith, language and culture alive in Ottawa. Everyone is welcome.

Our story

Keeping the tradition alive

The Ottawa-Hull Cambodian Buddhist Association Inc. is a registered Canadian charity. It runs the temple វត្តរតនប្រទីប (Watt Ratanakpratib). Cambodian families of the Ottawa–Gatineau region founded the association so that Khmer Buddhist practice, language and culture could be kept alive for their children and grandchildren.

Today the temple is a place to pray, to listen to the Dhamma, to share a meal after the monks have eaten, and to meet neighbours. The festivals of the Khmer year, such as Khmer New Year, Pchum Ben and Kathina, are when families gather most.

If you would like to know more about our history, please ask us. We are always glad to talk about the temple.

Community members holding bouquets of flowers in front of a white festival tent with pink drapes

The shrine room, with a Buddha statue, fresh flowers, candles and painted murals of the Buddha

Temple name: វត្តរតនប្រទីប · Watt Ratanakpratib
English name: Ottawa-Hull Cambodian Buddhist Association
Legal name: Ottawa-Hull Cambodian Buddhist Association Inc.
Address: 5883 Hazeldean Road, Ottawa (Stittsville), ON K2S 1B9, Canada
Tradition: Theravada Buddhism
Registered charity: BN 119071611RR0001

The Sangha

ព្រះសង្ឃ

Our monks

The Sangha is the community of monks who live by the Vinaya, the monastic discipline, and keep the Buddha’s teaching alive. Their days are shaped by chanting, meditation and the generosity of the community.

Community members offering food to monks in saffron robes outside the temple

Our resident monks lead the daily chanting and receive the community’s offerings. To meet them, or to ask about the Sangha, please call the temple or visit on a Sunday. For news, please check our Facebook.

The community

វប្បធម៌ខ្មែរ

Families, youth and elders

A temple is only as strong as the people who gather in it. Here, the Khmer language and traditions are shared from one generation to the next.

Elders and families praying with their hands together on yellow mats in the festival tent

Language & culture

Khmer words, songs, food and customs are part of everyday life at the temple, giving children a way to learn where they come from.

Families

Parents and grandparents bring children to the temple for festivals and Sunday gatherings, so the next generation grows up knowing its traditions.

Youth

Young people are welcome to help with festivals, join in the kitchen and setup, and ask their questions about the Dhamma.

Elders

Our elders carry the memory of Cambodia and the customs of their families. They are honoured at every gathering and welcomed here, always.

The tradition

ព្រះពុទ្ធសាសនា

The way of the elders

People praying on red carpets in the temple hall, under strings of Buddhist flags and painted murals

Theravada, which means “the teaching of the elders,” is one of the oldest surviving schools of Buddhism. It follows the teachings preserved in the Pali Canon, and it is the tradition practised across Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka.

At its heart is a simple path: to understand suffering, to let go of craving, and to grow in wisdom, kindness and calm. Monks train fully in the monastic discipline, while lay people keep the Five Precepts and practise generosity and meditation in daily life.

Khmer Buddhists make merit by offering food to the monks, giving to the temple, listening to the Dhamma, meditating and keeping the precepts. Merit is also shared with loved ones who have passed away, especially at Pchum Ben.

The Three Jewels

The Buddha ព្រះពុទ្ធ: The awakened teacher who showed the way out of suffering.
The Dhamma ព្រះធម៌: The teaching, and the path of practice that leads to peace.
The Sangha ព្រះសង្ឃ: The community of monks who keep the teaching alive for everyone.

The Five Precepts

Lay Buddhists voluntarily train to refrain from:

Harming living beings.
Taking what is not given.
Sexual misconduct.
False speech.
Intoxicants that cloud the mind.

Etiquette

សំពះ

Visiting with respect

You do not need to know any rules before you come. These simple customs help everyone feel at ease, and show respect for the monks, the Buddha images and the community.

Please do

Take off your shoes before entering the vihara, the prayer hall, and leave them neatly by the door.
Dress modestly, with your shoulders and knees covered.
Greet monks with the sampeah: palms pressed together and a slight bow.
Sit with your feet tucked away, never pointing at Buddha images or at monks.
Keep your voice low, and set your phone to silent.
Ask before photographing a ceremony.

Please avoid

Women touching a monk, or handing him something directly. Place your offering on the cloth in front of him, or ask a man to pass it.
Climbing on, or leaning against, Buddha images or altars.
Pointing at monks or Buddha images, with your hand or your feet.
Talking loudly or moving about during chanting and meditation.
Eating or drinking inside the vihara during prayers.
Photographing monks or ceremonies without asking first.

If you are unsure what to do, watch the people around you or ask a member of the community. Everyone understands that visitors are still learning.

សូមស្វាគមន៍

Come as you are

Whether you are Khmer, Buddhist, a neighbour or simply curious, there is a place for you at our temple. Plan your visit with directions, parking details and answers to common questions.

Plan your visit

Open to everyone · 5883 Hazeldean Road, Stittsville