Minnesota Buddhist temple opens up sacred dance troupe

HAMPTON, Minn. (AP) — Started by Cambodian refugees who had fled the Khmer Rouge’s killing fields four decades ago, the Buddhist temple of Watt Munisotaram has evolved into a majestic structure with golden spires dominating the snow-covered Minnesota farmland. This winter, it’s trying something new to draw in younger faithful – an open enrollment call for its sacred dance troupe. More than 20 children have joined to learn the precise, sinuous movements, all related to sacred storytelling dating back nearly 1,000 years. For the senior dancers and for the monks, this practice is a crucial way to feel a strong spiritual connection and make sure that it will continue to engage children in their ancestral culture.