By James Connor Bruce
The Wat Buddhangkura Temple was initially founded in 1999 east of Olympia, Washington. The original monastery was a single-story house that now acts as the residence for monks living on the property. The exact founders of the monastery remain unknown; however, the monastery itself has been a refuge for Thai, Cambodian, Laotian, and American Buddhists for twenty-five years. In 2015, Bob Harris, a layman, founded Theravada in Olympia. This organization teaches Buddhism in English and focuses on the “Four Foundations of Mindfulness.” In 2017, Theravada in Olympia gained tremendous momentum when Bhante Pattago, otherwise known as “Monk Steve,” joined the group. As an American, Monk Steve was able to give talks and lead meditations in English which broadened the community’s demographic to more Americans. His efforts grew the activities and size of the Wat Buddhangkura temple and in 2018, the temple was officially consecrated meaning monks could be ordained at the temple. The current abbot of Wat Buddhangkura is Phra Ratsemee, who has been overseeing the temple for over twenty years.
Traditions
The traditions and ways of thinking practiced at the Wat Buddhangkura temple stem from the Thai Forrest tradition. This tradition was revitalized in the early twentieth century when Ajaan Mun demonstrated incredible dedication and concentration to the Forrest tradition, invigorating many others to follow in his footsteps. After his death, Ajaan Mun’s students created an international monastery after his death which facilitated the expanse of Buddhism into the western world. Wat Buddhangkura is likely a result of this expansion.
That being said, the temple itself practices Theravada Buddhism. We are an English-speaking group that meets at Buddhangkura. “Theravada in Olympia relies on the Buddha’s original teachings, unmixed with cultural influences or other schools of Buddhism,” is pasted on the main page of the temple’s website establishing a dedication to studying original texts and discerning one’s own opinions and views on the dhammas.
The meditation practices followed at the temple stem from the four foundations of mindfulness. These foundations are the underlying principles of mindfulness practice and insight meditation. They are as follows:
- Contemplation of the Mind
- Contemplation of the Body
- Contemplation of the Feelings
- Contemplation of the Dhammas
This type of meditation promotes self-awareness and understanding. One practicing the four foundations contemplates thoughts and feelings that arise internally, physical surroundings and actions taken, and the nature of reality. This mindfulness fosters understanding of our actions and thoughts, allowing us to see if they are beneficial or harmful to us. The goal is that one will not just use this insightful thought during meditation but adapt to using mindfulness at all hours of the day. Theravada in Olympia, an organization of lay Buddhists that call the Wat Buddhangkura home, believes that the Four foundations of mindfulness are the core of Theravada Buddhism and will give talks every month or so preaching about the Satipatthana Sutta (the sutta detailing the four foundations). Insight meditation open to the community occurs every Monday and Wednesday as well, whether it be walking or sitting meditation.
Another major tradition that the Wat Buddhangkura temple practices is summer ordination. Ordination is a Thai tradition in which novices live in a monastery for the summer learning the Vinaya, which are the rules of the monastery, and the dhamma, the nature of reality. Typically, novices would spend three or more months meditating and learning; however, Wat Buddhangkura temple’s ordination is only a two-week program. The program is also geared towards youth. The ordination ceremony is typically in July and the greater community of Olympia is invited to the event. Most monks staying at Wat Buddhangkura will only reside at the temple in the summer for these such ordinations then return to their home monasteries either in the United States or in Southeast Asia.
Finances
Following along with the Thai Forrest tradition, the temple only accepts donations. A large part of the community is Dana, or the practice of generosity. As stated on the Wat Buddhangkura temple’s donation page, “Dana benefits the giver more than the receiver. If you give with a warm feeling in your heart, rather than only out of duty, you’ll receive the benefit.” If you would like to donate to the temple, visit Donations – Buddhangkura Buddhist Temple for more information. Donations will be used to cover the temples’ necessary expenses such as heat, water, and electricity. Also, cushions, robes, and gas money that monks need are all covered by donations from the community. All events and activities Wat Buddhangkura offers are free. Books outlining the dhamma and other Buddhist concepts in the merchandise shop located on the temple grounds are also free. Visitors can simply walk into the store and pick up the books available at that time. Walking hours of the temple are held daily from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The grounds of the temple are free to explore for anyone interested at this time. The temple owns a large amount of land, most of which is covered in large pine trees and forests. Shrines, gardens, statues, unique shrubbery, and enclaves dotted around the land making the temples surrounding area beautiful and relaxing place for a walk. Visitors enjoy taking in the gorgeous scenery.
Residents
As previously mentioned, many monks residing at Wat Buddhangkura will only stay for the summer months. This is in part due to Olympia’s climate, which reaches freezing temperatures in the winter. Also, many of the monks visit Wat Buddhangkura for the summer then return to their original monasteries in the winter months. Theravada in Olympia will bring guest monks in to speak at the temple occasionally. Monk Steve (Bhante Pattago) is one of these such guests. Steve was ordained in Thailand and returned to Buddhangkura as a monk. He now lives with his teacher in the city of Olympia. He makes the occasional drive to the temple to give meditation talks.
The resident abbot of Wat Buddhangkura is Phra Ratsamee. Ratsamee was born in Thailand in 1962 and was ordained in 1988. He later moved to Australia where he became an assistant abbot at temple for four years. He was flown to the United States and spent time as a monk in both California and North Carolina. Finally, in the year 2000, he became the abbot of Wat Buddhangkura and has been there ever since. Phra Ratsamee is an expert in training novices, though he leads all traditional Thai ceremonies that the temple holds. He emphasis the dhamma and does an excellent job training the resident monks especially in the Vinaya and chanting.
The secretary of the temple is the Venerable Phujimoto. Phujimoto was born in northeast Thailand and was ordained at Kanjanburi Temple. Interestingly enough, he was a novice at the same temple that Phra Ratsamee was staying at and was called to Buddhangkura in 2008 by Ratsamee. From then on, Phujimoto became a diligent member of the community and especially enjoyed the scenery and extensive grounds of the temple. Phujimoto means unshakable or strong mind which was given to him at his ordination due to his ability to stay away from his homeland for long periods of time
Events
Wat Buddhangkura temple celebrates many Thai traditions being a practicioner of Thai Buddhism. Most recently, the temple celebrated the:
- October 13: End of Vassa
- November 10: Kathina + Loy Krathong
- December 4: Guided meditation with Bhikkuni Niyyanika
- December 31: Western New Year celebration
Kathina is a celebration marking the end of the rainy season or Vassa. In the Thai tradition there are usually large parades and celebrations help at temples. This holiday also acts as a fundraising event for the monastery as monks will create a “money tree.” This tree is similar to a Christmas tree because donations from the laity are hung up like ornaments. Loy Krathong is a tradition more prominent in southern Thailand which involves making a decorated floating basket on a full moon of the twelfth month on the Thai Lunar calendar. During these events, there is an opportunity to learn about the dhamma from the resident monks, who will be teaching and running group meditations. This event is also a great opportunity to donate robes or funds to the monastery.
Opportunity for Laity
Students and laity have a multitude of opportunities to become involved with Theravada in Olympia and the Wat Buddhangkura temple. Aside from major events and summer ordination, there are weekly meditation sessions with the monks of the temple and monthly talks from Monk Steve. The temple’s website is extensive and offers plenty of online resources for those interested in Theravada Buddhism. From videos on the dhamma to online guided meditations, one can get a very good idea of the teachings of Wat Buddhangkura. If you are ever in the Seatle or Olympia area, I would recommend stopping by and exploring the temple for yourself.
Sources
- “Buddhangkura Buddhist Temple.” Buddhangkura Buddhist Temple, 2024, buddhangkura.org/. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.
- Thai Forest Tradition | Forest Dhamma. forestdhamma.org/about/thai-forest-tradition/.
- “Buddhist Ordination.” Obo, www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780195393521/obo-9780195393521-0226.xml.
- Bodhi, Bhikkhu. The Buddha’s Four Foundations of Mindfulness – Lion’s Roar. www.lionsroar.com/the-buddhas-four-foundations-of-mindfulness/.