Buddhists in Cranston celebrate Cambodia's elaborate temple.

01:00 AM EDT on Monday, August 1, 2005

By KAREN A. DAVIS
Journal Staff Writer

CRANSTON -- The rich aroma of fried chicken and beef teriyaki drifted from the grounds of the Wat Dhamagosnaram Buddhist Temple on Plainfield Pike on Saturday.

About 300 congregants -- monks, supporters and dignitaries -- ate and chatted outside, prayed in the indoor sanctuary or snapped photos of the awe-inspiring replica that had just been unveiled.

Saturday's official unveiling of the miniature Angkor Wat temple complex brought a permanent monument of Cambodian history and heritage to the Ocean State.

This was, indeed, a cause for celebration, said Sarin Rath, president of the temple.

In Cambodia's Siem Reap province, Angkor Wat is one of the major temples in the Angkor area. It is a wonder of the world and is heralded as the largest complex of buildings in the world, Rath said.

The compound of buildings, temples and monuments, surrounded by a moat, spans 500 acres and was constructed between 1113 and 1152 to honor the Hindu God Vishnu of the Angkor Dynasty.

Besides its physical majesty, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the region's heritage.

And, now, the local temple has achieved a milestone by becoming the first of about 80 Buddhist temples nationwide to erect a model of the beloved complex, Rath said.

"For the first time in Cambodian history, Angkor Wat, through its miniature, complex model, has now officially arrived abroad and can be awed, enjoyed and visited by overseas Cambodians, Americans of Cambodian descent and the public," Rath said. ". . . Rhode Island has become the second home for Angkor Wat."

The replica features miniature statues, buildings and monuments of marble and jade that were hand-carved in Cambodia by masters of that trade and exported to Rhode Island. A sprinkling of aquatic plants float in the moat that surrounds the model.

Work began on the structure about one year ago, said Sakal Kim, a member of the organizing committee. Three months ago, temple officials brought a tradesman from Cambodia to Cranston to build the foundation for the complex. The length of a mid-size car, the replica stands about 3 1/2 feet high.

The unveiling ceremony Saturday morning drew the mayors of Providence, Cranston and Johnston; state Rep. Thomas Slater, D-Providence; and other municipal and elected officials.

Rath said the Wat Dhamagosnaram Buddhist Temple Inc. has had two temples in Providence for the last 20 years, but was not able to expand at the existing locations or find another house in the city suitable to be converted into a temple.

Early last year, temple officials bought a house on Plainfield Pike in Cranston to add a third temple that could house its monks and accommodate a growing membership of more than 480 families from Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts, officials said.

Surrounded by a large yard on three sides, the Plainfield Pike location is backed by a cornfield and leaves room for growth.

Temple officials also hope that the replica, in addition to serving the cultural and spiritual needs of its members, will help heighten awareness about the Khmer history, heritage and culture, Rath said.

He said his goal is to heighten awareness among young people -- Cambodians and non-Cambodians -- so that the Buddhist tradition can be carried on.

The temple, which relies chiefly on donations from its members, supporters or other agencies, continues to raise money to maintain the replica and surrounding property.

For more information, call the Wat Dhamagosnaram Buddhist Temple at (401) 942-2084. The temple is located at 2870 Plainfield Pike, Cranston.