Cambodian Buddhist Society Cultural Committee

Cambodia as a nation experienced a devastating loss during the 1975-1979 communist regime. More than a million lost their lives and those that survived and were able to escape tried to rebuild a better life in a new country. Many resettled in the surrounding Washington Metropolitan area and turned to the Cambodian Buddhist Temple as a place of religious and community support. In 1986 the President of the Cambodian Buddhist Society (CBS), Inc., Venerable Oung Mean Candavanno, formed a committee which later became the Cambodian Buddhist Society Culture Committee (CBSCC) to support the needs of the high numbers of newly resettled Cambodian refugees.

For over 30 years, CBSCC strives to share and cultivate the unique tradition and heritage of the Cambodian culture. The committee supports and educates the community on Cambodian customs and culture through social and instructional gatherings such as Dhamma, language, dance, and music classes. CBSCC programs are designed to be a welcoming and safe space to explore Cambodian culture and allows for the development of the Cambodian-American identity for generations to come.

CBSCC’s programs are made possible by the commitment and dedication of volunteer instructors, performing artists, and administrators. The steady success and stability of the programs is due to the tremendous outpour of support and effort from parents and community members throughout the years. CBSCC’s programs are funded in part by an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive. And in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.

The Cultural Group of the Cambodian Buddhist Society, Inc. has the mission to carry out the objectives of the organization regarding conservation of the Khmer culture and training.  The Cambodian Buddhist Society Culture Committee (CBSCC) maintains, shows, and cultivates the unique tradition and heritage of the Cambodian culture.

CBSCC hosts Sunday classes from, September to May for individuals who are interested learning the Cambodian dance, music and language. Volunteers can use and/or learn various skills by volunteering their time for CBSCC. Volunteers can 

• Use their theater and management skills in assisting with production tasks, such as operating sound and light equipment, setting up stage decorations and props, and preparing dancers for their scheduled performances according to program order.
• Use their management skills in leading the students to their designated classes and assist with keeping the stage schedule. 
• Use their organizational skills to help keep inventory of the costumes. Sort costumes to designated dances and return the costumes in a neatly fashion when costumes used is done 
• Keep inventory of kitchen and bathroom supplies, and other building services needed. This allows the program to be organized and manageable and provide a safe clean learning environment for the students. 
• Use their engineering and crafting skills to sew costumes, repair jewelry sets, assist with facility maintenance.

In addition, to cultural classes, CBSCC is integral part of the Cambodian New Year celebration held in April. This opportunity not only exposes volunteers the Cambodian culture, they can hone their organization, social, and management skills as well.

The New Year’s festivities continue after the cultural show. There are sorted tasks to help keep the festivities manageable; such has keeping the bathrooms and kitchen supplies stocked and cleaned and selling t-shirts, grant DVDs and Cambodian traditional accessories.