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).