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).
9/5/2026 Saturday afternoon
It begins inside, remains inside and ceases inside … By Thanawaro Bikkhu 9/5/26 Have you ever secretly felt irritated with someone, disliked them, or even cursed them in your mind? You did not say a single word. You did not actually do anything. Then you told yourself, “It’s all right. I only thought it in […]
By Thanawaro Bikkhu 8/25/26 Have you ever noticed how strange anger can be? Something may have happened a week ago, a month ago, or even many years ago. Yet the moment you remember it, the fire in your chest can flare up as though the event happened only five minutes ago. The event is over. […]
By Thanawaro Bikkhu 8/22/26 Before Buddha’s enlightenment, while he was still a Bodhisatta, he had experienced fear and dread while dwelling alone in remote forests. What is particularly interesting, however, is the way he observed the workings of his own mind when fear arose. The Buddha pointed out that fear and dread are not necessarily […]
Wat Atam offers weekend retreats once every month. Upcoming weekend meditation retreat: September 18 2026 – September 20 2026. The Weekend Retreat starts on Friday at 7 pm through Sunday at 12 pm. Visit this link to signup : https://signup.com/go/jBeierK. Spots are limited. To learn more about what to expect on our Retreats, […]
Ajahn George Among the many memorable events recorded in the Pāli Canon,I found the encounter between the Buddha and the monk Māluṅkyaputta stands out as one of the most profound lessons on the purpose of Buddhist practice. It addresses a timeless human tendency: becoming fascinated with philosophical speculation while neglecting the practical path that leads […]
Time: Every Wednesday at 7pm in the main hall Schedule: Chanting in Pali and English Guided meditation in English Dhamma Talk in English Open to all levels of meditation & dhamma practitioners. No need for prior registration. If you have any questions about Wednesday Evening Service, please email them to: info@atamma.org
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 […]
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 […]