Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham

Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham is a Theravada Buddhist Temple that has been offering spiritual services and programs to our community for over 30 years. Located at 135 Martin Road in West Henrietta, New York, our temple serves as a spiritual and cultural center for the Laotian Buddhist community in the Rochester area.  Currently, Wat Pa Lao Buddhadham has 4 resident monks during the rain retreat season: Venerable Khamvanh Tikkhaviro has been the abbot since the beginning until now for 31 years.  Venerable Ajarn Nanthanakorn who is the deputy abbot. Venerable Ajarn Khammun.  Venerable Ron who is our newest monk addition to the temple.


Our Beginning

Our temple was established by dedicated Lao families who wanted to create a place to preserve and practice their spiritual traditions while building a supportive community in their new home. What began as small gatherings in homes grew into a vision for a permanent temple that would serve as both a spiritual sanctuary and a cultural bridge.

Building Our Temple

Through years of dedication and community fundraising, we were able to acquire our current location. The temple grounds include our ornate ceremonial hall (Sim), which is the most important building on our grounds. The distinctive red and gold architecture reflects traditional Laotian design, creating a visual connection to our cultural heritage.

Community Growth

Over the years, our community has grown tremendously. What started with a small group of founding families has expanded to include members from throughout the Rochester region and beyond. We welcome people of all backgrounds who are interested in learning about and practicing Theravada Buddhism.

Cultural Preservation

One of our core missions is preserving Lao cultural traditions for future generations. Through our regular ceremonies, festivals, and cultural education programs, we work to ensure that traditional practices, language, and customs continue to thrive in our community.

Service & Outreach

We are very proud of our many community outreach programs. All who support and operate this temple are Volunteers from the Heart. Our annual food festivals have become beloved community events that share our culture with the broader Rochester community while raising funds to support our temple and charitable initiatives.

Looking Forward

As we continue to grow, we remain committed to our founding principles of spiritual practice, cultural preservation, and community service. We invite all who are interested to join us on this journey of compassion, mindfulness, and cultural celebration.