Monks chant together during the Kathina ceremony.

Triratanaram Temple, North Chelmsford, Mass.

A Cambodian monk who lives at the Cambridge Zen Center gives advice to a lay Buddhist after a ceremony.

Sanghikaram Wat Khmer, Lynn, Mass.

After a Sunday service, a Buddhist family sits in front of the main altar.

Sanghikaram Wat Khmer, Lynn, Mass.

The temple empties out after a Sunday service in which monks chant prayers with lay Buddhists.

Sanghikaram Wat Khmer, Lynn, Mass.

A doctor from a mobile medical truck that provides free service to the Cambodian community joins participants in circling the temple to accumulate merit and offer respect during the Kathina ceremony.

Sanghikaram Wat Khmer, Lynn, Mass.

Ven. Kam Mom, 74 years old, receives alms from lay Buddhists as they circle the temple.

Sanghikaram Wat Khmer, Lynn, Mass.

This teenage "novice" will be eligible to become a monk after he reaches the age of 20.

Triratanaram Temple, North Chelmsford, Mass.

Ven. Polhi Podhi describes the life story of Shakyamuni Buddha, which is depicted in huge paintings around the inside of the temple.

Sanghikaram Wat Khmer, Lynn, Mass.

A lay Buddhist dressed in white prays in order to request precepts and Buddhist teachings.

Sanghikaram Wat Khmer, Lynn, Mass.

A young man visits the temple to pray with his friends (in the background) who have taken temporary ordination during the funeral of their grandmother. Temporary ordination is taken in order to benefit the future lives of their grandmother.

Sanghikaram Wat Khmer, Lynn, Mass.