Wat Champou Rukha Vanaram (also known as Jambu Rukha Vanaram), commonly referred to as “Wat 45th Street,” was founded in 2000. The temple was originally located near Hoover High School in San Diego, California, and served the community for approximately five years, from 2000 to 2005.

 

In 2007, due to limited capacity to accommodate a growing number of Buddhist lay practitioners, the Board of Directors, in unanimous agreement with the lay community, decided to relocate the temple to its current location at 3303 45th Street, San Diego, California 92105. Since relocating to the new site, the temple has operated under the leadership of two Most Venerable monks: Most Venerable Khemadhammo Prakob and Most Venerable Thiradhammo Soun Sanan. Most Venerable (Ajarn) Prakob, born on June 6, 1942, was recognized as the temple’s first abbot, serving from 2000 to 2005 and again from 2007 until his passing in January 2019. Most Venerable (Ajarn) Soun Sanan, born on February 25, 1942, served as the second abbot and co-led the temple alongside Ajarn Prakob from 2007 until his passing on April 10, 2022.

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Following the guidance and support of Venerable Pannapadipo, Viet Thach (Sang Kosol), the temple’s Board of Directors, the Cambodian Buddhist Monks Society in the U.S., and San Diego County, he has been formally recognized as the new abbot and spiritual leader. He began his service on March 1, 2023, and was officially appointed as the temple’s current abbot on March 3, 2024.