Monastery Past History

The word Atammayata is from the ancient Pali language in which the Buddhist scriptures are preserved, and means “to cut off or reject the source of suffering.”

The Atammayatarama Buddhist Monastery (ABM) was launched January 18, 1998 by the Thai and American Buddhist community of Washington State. This Buddhist Temple was certified as a “not-for-profit” corporation of the State of Washington on 22 April 1998. Wat Atam, as called by local people, is established with the goal of promoting authentic, classic Buddhist teaching in an open and friendly spirit. For the first year, the monks resided in a small rented house in Seattle’s Beacon Hill District.

On 3 December 1999, Wat Atam purchased a residence on a five-acre plot of land in the Woodinville area to which the monks relocated. This site will soon be developed as a new Buddhist center including a Meditation Hall and Retreat Center.

Kuhn Kamol Lekhaukul, president of the Board of Directors, asked Wat Buddhadhamma of Chicago, Illinois to assign Venerable Ajhan Ritthi Thirajitto as the first Abbot and religious teacher at Wat Atam. Ven. Ritthi arrived in Seattle on 8 July 1988 to take up this new endeavor.

As of mid-October 2001 the resident Sangha consists of: Phramaha Ritthi Thirajitto, Phramaha Tawatchai Gunakaro, Phramaha Khajohn Khemabhirato and Santidhammo Bhikkhu (American).

Mindfulness in the present

By Thanawaro Bhikkhu This occasion, I would like to describe by separating into levels: the conventional truth level and the ultimate truth level Conventional truth level refers to being aware of one’s position in accordance with worldly conventions such as being a male, a female, a mother, a father or a child, a teacher, a […]

Conclusive translation of Abhidhamma

What’s all about chanting at funeral ceremony ?What does audience learn from chanting?What dose chanting benefit ?Here come and see I will explain…. Chanting is called Abhidhamma,highest or supreme collection of teaching of Lord Buddha that originally delivered to his mother in heaven (Dusita level).This special collection is about common and true nature of truth […]

Meditation Retreats

July 28th to July 30th August 25th to August 27th September 29th to October 1st October 16th to October 22nd;  Meditation Retreat as part of the Vegetarian Festival Please read about our Retreat Schedules. The Weekend Retreat starts on Friday at 7 pm through Saturday at 9 pm.  The Day of Mindfulness starts on Saturday […]

Registration for the May 17-18 Retreat is closed

This Retreat is being led by Ajahn Ritthi (Abbot of Wat Atamm).  The Retreat starts on Friday at 7 pm following the Wednesday Evening Meditation schedule, however you are welcome to continue meditating until you’re ready to retire to your accommodations or return home for the evening. Saturday retreat starts with a 5:00 am wake […]

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AWAKE?

AN ALL-DAY OFFERING WITH JOSEPH KAPPEL In the course of most days, we wake up and go through our daily routines of life. Many of us follow patterns that are deeply ingrained in each thing we do and follow this pattern habitually. Pause for a moment and reflect on these questions, ‘when I wake up, […]

Book discussion Group every Tuesday

The discussion group is held on Tuesday at 7 pm in the Activity Room. There is no registration required, and attendance every week is not required. Each week we will begin with 30+ minutes of meditation, followed by a discussion of the assigned reading. The group style is informal and conversational; if  obligations require you […]