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An Enduring Belief in Buddhism 
Many Cambodians rely upon Buddhist beliefs and practices to help them recover from the trauma of war and to face the challenges of a new homeland. Cambodians’ faith in Buddhism endured despite the terrorism of the Khmer Rouge.
Buddhist temples anchor many Cambodian communities across the United States. The Greensboro Buddhist Center was established in 1986 by the Khmer Aid Group of the Triad. Temples are important places of worship, learning and celebration. At many Cambodian American temples, people pass on the stories, play music, and learn about traditional dance. Temples also serve as community centers, classrooms, temporary
housing, marketplaces, and recreation facilities.
The teachings of the Buddha guide day to day living through a set of values, ethics, and a moral code. Compassion, forgiveness, generosity, gratitude, and respect for elders are all basic Buddhist principles. Cambodian Khmer practice Theravada Buddhism.
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| © © Greensboro Historical Museum |
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"If we didn’t have a temple in America, then us Khmers, wouldn’t have a religion. We wouldn’t have a place to gather for meetings or for worshipping."
