Festiaval / Holiday Dates Location Description and Time
Cambodian New Year
(Cambodian Holiday)		 April 12, 13 Wat Dhamagosnaram Holiday Description: Traditionally celebreated on the 1st day of the 1st month of the Lunar Calendar Year, New Year after the Ankor Era is now observed for 3 days, starting on the 1st full moon day in April. It is celebrated to welcome one of the 7 Dieties, all daugther of the Kabol Maha Prum, to serve a year's term in watching over and taking care of the world.

April 12, Saturday 8:30 a.m. - 1st day of New Year (Wanabot)
8:00 a.m. - Building of Sacred Sand Mountain so welcome the new year, reflect and remember buddha's ashes, to rid of bad kharma in the past year.
9:00 a.m. - Welocome guest, Moment of silence for commemorations. Giving brief description and importance of New Year. Speeches by Honorable Guests.
10:00 a.m. - Offering of alms to the monks.
10:30 a.m. - Offering of food to the monks.
12:00 p.m. - Celebrants and particpants partaking of blessed food
12:48 p.m. - Welcoming of the new Deity (Thevada) to take over the responsibilities of the past year's Diety.
1:30 p.m. - Cummunity games and live band music for children, youths, family and guests.

April 13, Sunday 8:00 a.m. - 2nd day of New Year (Leung Saak)
8:00 a.m. - Building of Sacred Sand Mountain so welcome the new year, reflect and remember Buddha's ashes, and to rid of bad kharma in the past year.
10:00 a.m. - Offering of alms to the monks.
11:00 a.m. - Offering of food to the monks.
12:00 p.m. - Celebrants and participants partaking of blessed food.
After - cummunicty games and live band muic of the youth.
4:30 p.m. - Monks lead chant to bless participants and guests. Celebrants ask for forgiveness, vow to let go of bad intentions, do good deeds, pay respect to parents and elders, etc. in the New Year.
5:30 p.m. - Final ceremony of Srang Preah, which means giving a special bath or shower to the Buddha (represented by a Budda statue) by the monks, elders, parents, grand parents to apologize for any mistake we have done to them and to gratify them.
Vesak
or
Buddha Day
(Traditional Holiday)		 May TBD Wat Dhamagosnaram Hoiday Description: Vesak is the most important festival in Buddhism. On the first full moon day in May, Buddhists all over the world celebrate the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. The name "Vesak" comes from the Indian month of that name in which it is held.

Program:

May TBD, Tuesday 6:30 p.m. - Participants start to convene.
- Namasaka chanting to thank, remember, reflect, and respect the Tripple Gem: (1) The Buddha (2) His Teachings, and (3) The Sangha.
- Taking the 5 precepts.
- Monks chant and give blessings.
- Monks preach about Buddha's birth, enlightment and death.
Choal Vassa
or
Vassa
or
Rain Retreat
(Traditional Holiday)		 July ?? Wat Dhamagosnaram Holiday Descripton: Buddha and all his deciples entered a retreat (Vassa) for 3 months due to rainy season. The purpose of the festival , they are not to go anywhere until the end of the 3 months. This year, the ceremony starts from July 30 to October 25. The commemoration will start on July 29.

Program:

July 29, Monday 6:30 p.m.- Participants start to convene.
- Namasaka chanting to thank, remember, reflect, and respect the Tripple Gem: (1) The Buddha (2) His Teachings, and (3) The Sangha.
- Taking the 5 precepts.
- Monks chant and give blessings.
- Monks preach about Buddha's birth, enlightment and death.
Kaan Ben
or
Ulambana
or
Ancestor Day
(Traditional Holiday)		 September 26
to
October 11		 Wat Dhamagosnaram Holiday Description: Observed for 15 days starting September 26 to October 11. It is believed that the gates of Hell are opened on the first day and the ghosts may visit the world for fifteen days. Food offerings are made during this time to relieve the sufferings of these ghosts. On the fifteenth day, Ulambana or Ancestor Day, people visit cemeteries to make offerings to the departed ancestors. The same ceremony will be performed for each of the15 days. The participants volunteer to make offerings to the temple.

September 26, Friday 6:30 p.m.- Participants start to convene.
- Namasaka chanting to thank, remember, reflect, and respect The Tripple Gem: (1) The Buddha (2) His Teachings, and (3) The Sangha.
- Taking the 5 precepts.
- Monks chant and give blessings.
- Monks preach about the significance of the holiday.

September 27, Saturday 6:30 a.m. - Participants start to convene.

- Namasaka chanting to thank, remember, reflect, and respect The Tripple Gem: (1) The Buddha (2) His Teachings, and (3) The Sangha.

- Offering of food around the temple to the deceased, wondering spirits and those without relatives or kin.

10:00 a.m. - Offer of alms to the monks.
10:30 a.m. - Offering of food to the monks
12:00 a.m. - Participants partake in the blessed food.
Prachum Ben
(Cambodian Holiday)		 October 11, 12 Wat Dhamagosnaram

Holdiay descrption:

October 11, Friday 6:30 p.m. - Participants start to convene.
- Namasaka chanting to thank, remember, reflect, and respect The Tripple Gem: (1) The Buddha (2) His Teachings, and (3) The Sangha.
- Taking the 5 precepts.
- Monks chant and give blessings.
- Monks preach about significance of the holiday

October 12, Saturday 8:00 - Participants start to convene

800 to 9:00 a.m. - Monks chants with candles and insense offerings to the deceased.
10:00 a.m. - Offering of alms to the monks.
11:00 a.m. - Offering of food to the monks. Monks chant and offer blessings to the food
12:00 p.m. - Celebrants and participants partaking of blessed food.
Chengh Vassa
or
Pavarana Day
(Traditional Holiday)		 October 25, 26 Wat Dhamagosnaram Holdiay descrption: This day marks the conclusion of the rain retreat (Vassa). In the following month, the kathina ceremony is held, during which the laity gather to make formal offerings of robe cloth and other requisites to the Sangha.

Program:

October 25, Friday 6:30 p.m.- Participants start to convene.
- Namasaka chanting to thank, remember, reflect, and respect The Tripple Gem: (1) The Buddha (2) His Teachings, and (3) The Sangha.
- Taking the 5 precepts.
- Monks chant and give blessings.
- Monks preach about significance of the holiday.

October 26, Saturday 9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m. - Offering of alms to the monks.
11:00 a.m. - Offering of food to the monks. Monks chant and offer blessings to the food
12:00 p.m. - Celebrants and participants partaking of blessed