History of Buddhasothorn Temple

Buddhasothorn Temple English name is Wat Buddhasothorn ( Buddhist Center of NM)" at 143-145 Madison St. NE., Albuquerque, NM 87108 U.S.A. is in the heart of Albuquerque of 2.5  rats area. Buddhasothorn Temple was Built by Thai Buddhist group of Albuquerque

Story

Buddhasothorn Temple was Built by that Buddhist group of Albuquerque who advised with Arjarn Pramaha Winai Punyayano, Chief Abbot of Promkunaram Temple Phonix, Arizona and The Directory Board of thai Association priest in U.S.A. for sending some priests to process Building Temple stationed for this State thai Association priest, processed by Arjarn Pramaha Winai Punyayano considered Pramaha Sunthorn Janthawongso, Ambassador priest of Promkunaram Temple, Phonix, Arizona to be Chief priest. Thai Buddhist group held a meeting found members as Thai Buddhist in and outside the states together with the donations from visitors how came to see their relatives from Thailand, Americans, Laotians, Srilankans and others.

First of all, We rented a house, 3920 Lafayette Dr. NE. Albuquerque, NM 87107 for priest's resident to process  their merit and also be office of finding fund for permanent Temple's Building. Then 8-9 months later, priest's group and committee held a meeting to collect fund in permanent Temple's Building.

Arjarn Dr. Pramaha Winai Punyayano  Chief abbot  of Promkunaram Temple, Arizona fund founder in Building of Buddhasothorn Temple by inviting Prakru Samu Sunthorn Janthawongso to be Chief priest, processing of the Temple's Building.

Collecting fund and permanent Temple's Building the Board collected donations from people for a number them contacted to buy a tower that looks similar to a meeting room ( not Christ Church ) which announced for selling. The tower can make Buddhist Church and priest's resident with it's area about 1 Acer ( 2 more rai ) is in the heart of Albuquerque at price $ 160,000 US. so we contact according to buying-selling steps, suffer point for building that Temple and let the priests to live inside ( not just to buy, them can live) oversea's Church, normally when finish the opening ceremony can go back home but Thai Temple must have permanent priest to live in, calling that changed from Church to monastery ( if overthere has never had house before)

When the city allowed priest to live in, then we deter minded to buy in fun 1st 95 At $ 160,000 US. The priest's group made ceremony to live in July 28th, 95. by arranging religions ceremony as normal Thai Temples.

Located Place

In a " Sappaya" Place , at the heart of Albuquerque, is suitable to be permanent Temple, "L" shape style's tower made for 1 Buddhist Church and 1 Resident ( 5 bedrooms, 1 living room, 1 kitchen, 1 dinning room, 4 toilets, 1 office room ) having enough car park for making merit, is located between the elder's association and women's association, near University, Government , Hospital, Airport, Thai Laos restaurant, No 25 Freeway cutting with No 40 and we paid off in Nov.14th , 97. Buddhasothorn Temple have legal rights documents under the law of New Mexico  state that it's non-profit organization.

Purpose of Buddhasothorn Building

It's Thai Buddhist's Tradition and culture when people have society. Wherever when in any parts of the world, the cultural flow through its society. The needs of having something to hold their mind in the respected religious making associations. Temples etc. According to possible ( we'd like to give all of credits  for Thai men-women who lives in U.S.A. which brought most helps in bringing priests to expose Buddhist religions in this continent with the aims.....

1. To expose Buddhist religious

2. To be the center, conduct religious ceremony and beautiful culture tradition

3. To be education center, to think about, Dhamma conduct for general people

4. For co-operation with Buddhist  organization and other religious unit.

5. ETC

Special Activities

On Saturday- Sunday, there're Thai Language, culture tradition's teaching for public ( most  are Thai -Laos family ) local education institute, started from elementary school to University, which a lot  of people 're interested so much. groups, education administer always come to see our Temple's activities, newspapers, radios, TVS. always talk about it. Channel 7 of this state said that " The Temple of Buddhist religious permanent located already in New Mexico.

To conduct the religious activities Buddhasothorn Temple and Temples in the branch of Thai association priest, most stipulated Saturday and Sunday to be making merit's day which is different from Thailand  that stipulate are holiday, so need to adapt suitable follow living life.

Buddhasothorn Temple is Temple in a branch of Promkunaram Temple, Phoenix, Arizona. The priest will be changed as suitable, In August 20th, 95. The directory board of association priest had resolution to accept Buddhasothorn Temple as permanent member of that association priest in U.S.A.

Special Advisor's Committee

1. Prarajtamwitet , L.A. Thai Chief Abbot's Temple

2. Prakruwinaitaraprateep Kempateepo, Chief Abbot assistant of LA Thai Temple 

3. Pramaha Winai Punyayano, Promkunaram Temple's Chief Abbot , Arizona and all priests association committer.

Board of Administrative

1. Prakru Sungkarak Toy Palawattoe Admin. President committee 1994-1998

2. Prakrusamusunthorn Janthawongso  Admin. President ,  1999- now

3. Khun Kumpa ( Tong) Tharp  Vice Admin. President

4. Mr. Michael W. Adams Secretary

5. Khun Pongsiri K. Bradlex  Treasurer 1994-1996

6. Khun Taweerat Mcckinney  Treasurer 1997- Now

Religious Activities conduct priest stationed at Buddhasothorn Temple

President Buddha Image

PraBuddha Chinasee Sothorn bernaleao satitpatom wichai ( Buddha images of 3 Luangpoa brothers of U.S.A.

The name of the president Buddha image stationed at Buddhist church Buddhasothorn Temple, New Mexico

With co-operation of priests groups and the committee comprised of prakru sumusunthorn Janthawongso, Chief Abbot, former student of studying place of sothorn wararam warawiharn Temple ( Nat Luangpoa sothorn padreaw, Chacherngsao) who intended of he have chance to build a Temple in U.S.A. and create Buddha image same face as 3 brothers luangpoa sothorn, big body shape, eth. same like the real one to be the president Buddha image stationed at Buddhist church, Arjarn Prasamu somporn samanawangso Derabangnangbuad sub-ist Chief priest and Pramaha Kittichote, Dermbangnangbuad vice chief priest helped contacting Ar-jarn prakru Tumtarawanchaiof Mahatart Temple, Bangkok, Thailand. And many students helped donation it create the image, Then chipped to U.S.A. We can say that both people in USA and Thailand helped this donations , so we succeed, completely well.

When the image arrived USA, we conducted Buddhist pray containing ceremony in, at Buddhist church Thai Temple in LA. In Thai association priest committee event in 1996 under the patronage of Jaokoon Prarajtumwited, Prakkrutrateep Kempateepo ( Ceremony conduct arranger) , priests group and Thai Temple in LA. Board, under4 the Patronage ot Thai association priest Board. There were about 130 priests from Thailand and other Temples in USA prayed Pail Blessing for successfulness - Luckiness, according to the ancient tradition and they said that this one was biggest Sothorn Buddha Image in USA, Now place at Buddhist Church Buddhasothorn Temple for all 3 images.  

Conclusion

Buddhasothorn Temple is legally Temple of USA. Law amd is permanent member of Thai Association priest which guaranteed under USA. Law, together with regulation items of Maha Term Association to obay. priest how come to conduct religious activities allowed from the association to be ambassador priest to export Buddhist Religious. many people said " Since having Thai Temple in USA, made warmth, not lonely, had the things to seize mind like staying in Thailand. The great point is we're far from home but have change to joint in building permanent material  Temple for Buddhist religious which we take respect and the images will stay along, together with this world form time to time.

In 1996 there were donation for Pra Arpai-Manee image creation ( a tale heroin who always bow a fruits ) for being Thai Temple's symbol at a sign in front of the Temple, process arranger by Prakru Sungkarak Toy and Prakru Samusunthorn. There were Americans and the visitors, student took photos.

Remarks Buddha sothorn Temple, former name is Buddharam Temple, pronounced to change name on Saturday, May 23rd 98. At 15.59 PM at Thai association priest's meeting's 22nd round of 1998, Wat Pradhammaguy, Califfornia. and announced in priest's meeting by Prarajkittiwetee, president of Thai association of USA.

In 1999, given pity of honor from that association priests for Buddhasothorn Temple to be association priests meeting place of 23rd round ( may call " all rules regulations adapting management of all ambassador priests) by stipulated Saturday and Sunday of Jun 05th -06th, 99. For the great suitable lucky day. and Buddhasothorn Temple took this event, celebrated its Temple, Land and president Buddha images of 3 Luangpoa brothers, also.

Further more,the Temple have its schedule for great religious ceremony celebration of attaching gold leafs on luangpoa sothorn ( the image ) in yearly celebration on songkram festival, ( Throwing water's festival) or Thailand Buddhist's New Year in April 11th -15th every year.