On Monday, December 5, 2011 between the early hours of 4am to 5am the unthinkable happened — the Lao Buddhist Temple of Colorado was engulfed in flames.

The main hall has been reduced to charred remnants and ash, leaving behind only priceless Buddhist statues and artifacts. This tragedy has been a total and devastating loss for the Lao community in Colorado. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured.  Head monk Ounkham Veunnasack, who was awakened by the sound of a wall-mounted picture frame crashing onto the floor as the fire spread, suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation but is doing well. In fact, he refused to stay at the hospital, eager to return to the place he has called home for 23 years.

This temple is the heart and soul of the Lao population in the Denver Metro area. Seeing the temple in this befallen condition is a painful sight for the hundreds of Lao Theravada Buddhists who routinely visit this place of spiritual sanctity. It will be difficult for many to imagine this sight without the familar little building that was once a humble symbol of their beliefs and culture.

There are many uncertainties to follow, but one thing is for certain is this quaint structure will always exist in our memory and in our hearts for the countless times it has brought us together to celebrate and embrace our identity.