What is the best way for a new person to learn about the practice of Theravada Buddhism?
Your best learning is by participating in one of the services provided at the temple. Click Services at the top menu to find out which serves you best. Please note that we have English sessions on our Sunday morning service and Tuesday & Wednesday evening meditation. However, you are always welcome to visit the temple for dharma discussion with the monks any day. Last but not least, we have a decent Dharma book center. Please help yourself in taking some home. They are free. Donation is accepted in order to support the free book project.
Are there any rules to follow during a visit?
Don’t panic! Monks and Thais here are surprisingly friendly. They are more than happy to give you advice when you are in doubt. Many may practice English with you. So, enjoy the interaction and be friendly while showing respect.
Visitors are expected to dress conservatively, cover your knees and shoulders. Shoes are taken off before entering the monastery hall. Hats and caps are taken off in the hall as well. While sitting, avoid pointing your feet at the image of Buddha or other people. Always use your right hand when giving or receiving something from monk. Women may never touch a monk or his robes — including his own mother. Even doing so on accident (i.e., brushing against the robes in a crowded place) requires the monk to perform a lengthy cleansing process. Guardians must supervise the youths/children to prevent them from causing damage to the monastery’s property and disturbing other visitors’ peace.
Is there any cost in participating?
Everything is FREE of charge, including the food! Donations are welcome but not necessary.
Do I have to become a Buddhist to participate in services or classes?
Not at all. Many of our regular visitors maintain their religion while observing Buddhism. The practice here is more a way of living and thinking rather than religious rituals and set beliefs.
What is a Sunday morning service?
The service starts at 9.30am with chanting (English manual provided), follows by meditation and hearing a sermon. Then, laypeople have a chance to offer food and sangkhathān to the monks. If you did not prepare anything for the offering, please do not worry. We have enough plain rice to share so you could join the ceremony. The service ends with potluck lunch which is a great opportunity to know the community.
What to bring if I want to offer food to the monk?
Your cooking (or buying) is not limited to only Thai food. Though vegetarian is preferred, the Buddha did not categorically forbid his disciples to eat meat. In fact, if meat were put into a monk’s alms bowl, the monk was supposed to eat it. Monks were to gratefully receive and consume all food they were given, including meat. The monks do not speak, even to say thank you. The giving of alms is not thought of as charity. The giving and receiving of alms creates a spiritual connection between the monastic and lay communities. Laypeople have a responsibility to support the monks physically, and the monks have a responsibility to support the community spiritually.
When is the best timing to visit the temple?
In general, the best time to call or visit in person is between 8 AM-10 AM and between 1 PM-6 PM. If you are here to offer food or join morning service on a special occasion like birthday or wedding, please arrive the monastery before 10am. If you are for sangkhathān, it is good at any time of the day except during the evening meditation and dharma discussion on Tuesday and Wednesday, 7 pm.
Do I have to register for attending the services, events or classes?
The events and services do not require any registration. You can bring your friends, family and co-workers. Your friends are also welcome to attend on their own. However, we ask that you register for “Monthly Vipassana Meditation Retreat” and “Dharma and Thai language classes” to ensure your space is saved and to help us contact you if, for any reason, a class is cancelled. Please click Classes & Registration for details.
What do I need to prepare to join the evening meditation?
You are not required to read any scripture before joining this service. Just come on in! We only suggest loose clothes that are modest as you will be in a sitting position for a while. Try to avoid bold graphics in order not to distract other participants.
If you are new to the practice, there is a meditation orientation on every Wednesday 6.30pm-7.00pm
I called and got a voice mail message, is the temple closed?
We don’t have the time to carry-on much outside lines. In general, we prefer the contact via post in our Facebook or email to pr@atamma.org This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . However, if you call and get a voice mail message when calling us, please leave your name, phone number, best time to call you back, and whether we can identify ourselves as calling from Atammayatarama Buddhist Temple if we do not reach you directly. We will call you back as appropriate
The following pictures were taken by Ajahn Somchi Srilert and are on his Flickr Account: Pictures of Meeting
Attending one of our Meditation Retreats is a great way to get away from your daily activities, free your mind, and concentrate on your meditation practice. The Retreats alternate between Weekend and Saturday (Day of Mindfulness). Even if you select the Weekend Retreat, but cannot attend the full retreat, you are welcome to attend “Saturday only”. […]
The Annual Picnic is this Sunday August 12th and we are short Van drivers for a two hour period when the crowd arrives. We need you to be at the Temple at 9:30 am. You will drive to and from Leota High School. Don’t worry food will be saved for you, and you will get […]
An embedded player for listening to the Wednesday Evening Chanting: Following is a link to downloading the Chanting audio file
HAPPINESS WITHOUT A FOUNDATION OF DHAMMA IS JUST SUFFERING BIDING ITS TIME. CALM THE MIND; YOU WILL DISCOVER A COOL, REFRESHING JOY. To read “The Prison of Life” from the web click on: The Prison of Life Check the Wat Atam library of a copy of the book.
The Monks gather together every evening at 7pm, except weekends, to chant and meditate (evening prayers). All are welcome. On Wednesday evenings the chanting is in Pali and English, followed with 45 minutes of meditation, a Dhamma talk in English. You are welcome to stay for tea and conversation before returning home. All are welcome, even without […]
Four Foundations of Mindfulness Class (Intense Insight Meditation – ‘I.I.M.’) This class is a wonderful opportunity to significantly deepen one’s understanding and practice of the Dhamma. You will learn, experience, and directly live the teachings in one of the most important groups of subjects in Buddhism. The Instructor for this class is George Kitsondhi, Thai […]
The Dhamma Studies Elementary to Advanced levels have started (year 1-3). If you have not signed up for the test, please contact Ajahn Ritthi (ritthi@yahoo.com). Ajahn Ritthi has a class every Wednesday at 6 pm (starting 1/10) to go over the study material and answer any questions you may have about your level of Dhamma […]
On Wednesday at 7:00pm we chant in Pali and English, followed by a 45 minute meditation, a tea break, and a Dhamma Talk in English. The Wednesday Sangha is primarily focused on meditation and learning Buddhist fundamentals. Beginners and those who have practiced before are welcome. If you have any questions about Wednesday Evening Meditation, please email them […]