ประวัติวัดป่าธรรมรัตน์

by Dr.Handy

1. Rationale
Pittsburgh is an important historic city, located in the west of the state of Pennsylvania. Its geography comprises forests, mountains and major rivers. In the past, the city has been known for its large steel industry. It is now regarded as one of the most important historic cities in the U.S.
Thai Theravada Buddhism has been established in the U.S. for over 40 years. The number of Thai temples and meditation centers has been growing rapidly in many states. Being the melting pot, the U.S. population consists of people of many nationalities, religions, languages and cultures. Thai, Laotian and other Buddhists are among them. Some are working people and some are students. These people need a place to worship and gather, in other words, a Buddhist temple or a meditation center. The temple will serve as a place for religious ceremonies, Dhamma study and meditation. It will also be built to honor the reverent Luang Ta Chi.
A group of Buddhists traveled from Pittsburgh to seek advice and guidance from Phra Vidhetdhammarangsi (Luang Ta Chi), Chairman of the monks at Wat Thai Washington, D.C, in setting up a temple or meditation center in Pittsburgh. He agreed with the idea and assigned two missionary monks from Wat Thai Washington, D.C., namely, Dr. Phra Maha Thanat Attajari, the Secretary-General of the Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the U.S. and Phra Suriya Techawaro, the meditation monk teacher, to carry out the project.

2. Objectives
2.1 To serve as a Buddhism promotion center in the U.S.
2.2 To serve as a meditation center in Pittsburgh
2.3 To promote virtues, Thai culture and traditions
2.4 To be a center of all Buddhists, regardless of nationalities

3. Construction Budget of 500,000 U.S. Dollars
3.1 Donation from supporters and general public
3.2 Loans provided by members and banks

4. Construction Period
July 2011 – July 2015 (four years)

5. Working Steps
5.1 Meet and consult with supporters in Pittsburgh
5.2 Ask for advice from Phra Vidhetdhammarangsi
5.3 Appoint a Board for the Construction to work on fund-raising for the project
5.4 Obtain the names of supporters including a variety of Thai councils, associations and business entrepreneurs in Pittsburgh as well as other states
5.5 Find a rented house for the monks
5.6 Assign missionary monks to take care of the temple construction
5.7 The monks move into the rented house and promote and advertise the construction of the temple
5.8 Appoint a committee or a representative to find and purchase the land
5.9 Hire an attorney to prepare the paperwork to register the temple to be a Non-Profit Religious Organization and organize a meeting of the Board to work on the Bylaws for an organization performing religious activities
5.10 Apply for membership of the Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the U.S.

6. Construction Site (Two Phases)
6.1 Rent a house for the monks while they work on building support from people and fund-raising
6.2 Purchase at least 10-25 acres of land within a 20-30 mile radius of Pittsburgh

7. Expected Results
7.1 Serves as the meditation center for Buddhists
7.2 Serves as the holy gathering place for Thais and Buddhists of all nationalities
7.3 Serves as a Buddhism study center and a Thai cultural center abroad
7.4 Serves as an education center for missionary monks

The Board of the Establishment of Wat Padhammaratana at Pittsburgh

Advisory Board
Phra Vidhetdhammarangsi (Luang Ta Chi)
Advisor of the Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the U.S.
Chairman of the monks, Wat Thai Washington, D.C., Maryland
Phra Soontorn Puttividhet
First Vice Chairman of the Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the U.S., Acting Chairman
Abbot of Wat Buddhavas, Houston, Texas
Phra Kru Pariyadhammabhiram
Assistant Abbot of Wat Phratatchoengchum, Sagolnakorn, Thailand

Operating Chairman
Phramaha Thanat Attajari, Ph.D.
Secretary-General of the Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the U.S.
Missionary monk at Wat Thai Washington, D.C., Maryland
Pra Kru Sankarak Umpol Suteero
Vice Chairman
Phra Maha Piya Uttamapunyo
Committee Member/Secretary
Phra Suriya Techawaro
Committee Member/Assistant Secretary

Public Committee
House Owner: Temple address at 5411 Glenwood Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15207
1. Sarit Tasit 412-983-1618
2. Urai Tasit 412-983-0134
Public Relations:
1. Nina Gold 724-968-3058
2. Sompong Bray
3. Malinee Wangsametheekoora
4. Sukanda Buppanon
5. Pranom Jabgul
6. Benjamas Best
7. Nipa Hammond
Accounting: Address 5835 Darlington Rd. #4 Pittsburgh, PA 15217
1. Roongnapa Kanchalee 412-608-8584
Contact: rungnapakhanchalee@gmail.com
Support and Maintenance: Address 147 Brownville Rd. Pittsburgh, PA 15210
1. Vichien Namsai 412-758-9786
2. Somsak Namsai 412-916-9948
3. Wilawan Anan Wong 412-901-4423
4. Tim Wong 412-901-5671
Business Address: Thai Gourmet 4505 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224

General Supporters
1. Piyawan Kasemsoopakorn 412-251-4229
2. Piyasinee Leamcharoen 412-983-7058
3. Poomiwirin Leamcharoen 412-983-7058
4. Nattapong Leamcharoen 412-589-9399
5. Prachaya Kittikun 412-608-8475
6. Busadee Tongdee 412-512-6987
7. Busaba Tongdee 412-512-6987
8. Jane Choonam 412-576-2018
9. Clarence Mexaci 724-947-5739
10. Chamlong Mexaci 724-947-5739 Address: 6 Harris St. Joffre, PA 15053
11. Somsong Fox 724-591-0274 Address: 317 Wood croft Rd Baden, PA 15005
12. Manas Sand 724-796-5974 Address: 37 Allison Rd Bulger, PA 1501
Anumodana
Donation Contacts and Locations
1. Phramaha Thanat Attajari, Wat Thai Washington, D.C. 13440 Layhill Road, Silver Spring,
MD 20906 Tel. 301-871-8660-1 Cell 301-787-6108,
E-mail: t_inthisan@hotmail.com Web site: www.t-dhamma.org
2. Wilawan Anan Wong, Thai Gourmet Restaurant, Pittsburgh, Tel. 412-901-4423, 412-886-4802, 412-736-7693
3. Nina Gold, Tel. 724-894-2924, 724-9683413, 724-355-3075
4. Took, Smiling Banana Leaf Restaurant, Pittsburgh, Tel. 412-576-2018

Dr.Handy

The General Secretary of The Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the U.S.A He is the author of several works, including The Buddhist Missionary in the USA (in Thai). He is also an expert in meditation practices and in yoga. His wide range of experiences includes trips to Russia to teach Vipassana meditation, and participation in the last three World Parliament of World Religion conferences. He has been the tour guide for several recent pilgrimages to Buddhist holy sites in Nepal and India.

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