Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham
As of Mid October 2025 - March 2026, there will be no personnel to answer forms and emails. The website will be outdated until then. We apologize for any inconveniences.
President with the Community, Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham
Leading with Heart:
As President of Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham, Pany Chounlapane leads with unwavering dedication and a welcoming spirit. Under our monk's guidance, the temple has transformed from humble beginnings to a vibrant cultural center, culminating in the ambitious Sala Hongdham Hall project. "We are gathering from all over the country, everybody here to come join the unity," Pany often says, embodying her commitment to creating a spiritual home where everyone feels welcome. Her hands-on leadership and accessibility, even sharing her personal phone number with community members, demonstrate her deep investment in preserving Lao heritage while building bridges across cultures.
Join Our 1000 Hearts Campaign
One Heart, One Purpose: Complete Our Temple's Vision
Your donation of USD 380 joins you with 999 other compassionate supporters to completely eliminate our remaining USD 380,000 loan. When 1000 hearts unite with equal commitment, we achieve something extraordinary together.
All donations are tax-deductible. For questions, please contact Pany Chounlapane at 585-967-2342 or panyhome@yahoo.com.
Every dollar brings us closer to completing our 30-year vision
From Vision to Reality: A Temple's Journey
What began in 1994 as 61 acres of neglected land has transformed into a vibrant spiritual and cultural sanctuary. Laotian refugees, carrying little more than memories of home, cleared debris with their own hands to build Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham, a place where their traditions could flourish in a new land.
Through decades of dedication, this community center has become a beacon for cultural preservation, drawing visitors from across New York, neighboring states, and Canada. In 2020, amid a global pandemic, our most ambitious vision took shape—the Sala Hongdham Hall.
Today, this beautiful congregation center hosts one of New York's largest Lao-Thai food festival, provides language and cultural education for younger generations, and offers a gathering place where everyone can experience peace and mindfulness. With over USD 800,000 already raised toward our USD 1,000,000+ project, we've demonstrated what determined hearts can accomplish together.
Your donation helps complete this remarkable journey, ensuring that the cultural legacy built by refugee hands continues to enrich our community for generations to come.
