History of the Dallas Buddhist Temple
The Buddhist Center of Dallas in Dallas, Texas, is located at 8484 Stults Rd., Dallas, Texas 75243. This temple was established through the combined efforts of Buddhists in Texas and nearby, along with senior monks in Thailand. As this is a large city, there are many Buddhists, businessmen, self-employed people, students, merchants, and the general public living there. However, there is still a lack of temples and monks to serve as a center and gathering point.
Temple Construction Meeting
On January 27, 1982, six monks from Thailand, consisting of:
1. Phra Ratchapanya Koson, Wat Thepsirintharawat, is the leader (disrobed)
2. Phra Amara Phirakkhit, Wat Thepsirin (Somdet Phra Thiranyanamuni)
3. Phra Ariyakunnaphon, Wat Bowonniwet Vihara (disrobed)
4. Phra Maha Somporn Samwaro, Thepsirintharawat Temple (Phra Amorn Sophon)
5. Phra Maha Mongkol Pemsil, Wat Makutkasatriyaram (Phra Amara Phirakkhit) has passed away.
6. Phrakhru Phimon Soraphan (Phra Ratchaphathanya) from San Francisco
traveled to Dallas to visit disciples and Buddhists and to discuss the establishment of a temple. The group of monks received a fair amount of information from the initial survey and were also invited by some disciples and those who had come to welcome them to establish a temple in Dallas. Before returning to Thailand, the group of monks gave them 700 dollars in funds to carry out the initial work and assigned Mr. Wirach Suphawong to arrange temporary accommodation for the monks.
Rented a house at 10355 Country Club Dr., Dallas, TX 75218 for $450 a month. First-time residents had to bring their own funds and Phra Amara Phirakkhit (Phra Phrom Methee) of Wat Thepsirinthrawat would provide funds to help from time to time. The policy was that construction of the temple had to be gradual and not create a burden for the laity. Later, when the first steps to find a temporary location for the temple were completed, three monks arrived to stay on February 15, 1982: -
1. Phra Maha Somporn Samvaro (Phra Amornsophon)
2. Phra Maha Mongkol Pemsilo (Phra Amara Phirakkhit) passed away.
3. Phrakhru Phimon Soraphan (Phra Ratchaphathanya)
The monks and Buddhists used this temporary residence to practice their religious duties, make merit, give alms, observe the precepts, and listen to sermons when appropriate. When people from farther out of towns learned that there was a temple and monks staying there, they came to pay their respects and visit regularly without fail. However, since this residence was in a residential area and not suitable for any activities, which was problematic according to Texas law, it was deemed appropriate to find a new place that was in a legal area.
The second temple
In 1983, the Sangha and the committee of the Dallas Buddhist Temple purchased a new temple site at 8484 Stults Rd., Dallas, Texas 75243, covering 1.3 acres and one building, for $175,000, with a down payment of $35,000, and then monthly payments. The new site is larger and more suitable for Buddhists in general.
Opening ceremony of the second temple
On March 29, 1983, monks from Thailand joined the temple opening ceremony, with Phra Thep Waraphon (deceased) of Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram presiding, and nine monks joining in chanting Buddhist mantras, namely:-
1. Phra Amara Phirakkhit, Wat Thepsirin (Somdet Phra Thiranyanamuni)
2. Phra Ariyakunnaphon, Wat Bowonniwet Vihara (disrobed)
3. Phrakhru Mongkhonsitthathada, Wat Ratchaprathit Sathitmahasimaram (deceased)
4. Phrakhru Wibunsilwong, Sampanthawong Temple (Phra Phrom Methee)
5. Phrakhru Sobhonthammasunthon, Thepsirintharawat Temple (Phra Thepyankawi)
6. Phrakhru Plad Wirawat, Wat Prak, Yan Nawa District (Phrakhru Wimonchaitham)
7. Phra Maha Somporn Samwaro, Thepsirintharawat Temple (Phra Amornsophon)
8. Phra Maha Prasit Pasitthi, Thepsirinthra Temple (disrobed)
9. Phra Maha Thongpliu Masawaro, Thepsirintharawat Temple (Phra Thepsarasuthee)
The Sangha, along with the laity, worked together to manage the temple to their full potential. They built a pavilion and purchased additional land and buildings, until the area became as large as it is today.
The first temple was opened on Saturday, March 27, 1982, with a group of monks from Thailand who traveled from Thailand to join the opening ceremony:-
1. Phra Amara Phrakkhit, Thepsirintharawat Temple (Somdet Phra Thiranyanamuni)
2. Phrakhru Silakhuntharajarn, Ammarinthram Temple, Ratchaburi Province (Phra Sophon Silakhun)
3. Phra Mahamanit Thitmano, Sattanatpariwat Temple, Ratchaburi Province (Phra Ratchawinyaphon)
4. Phrakhrupladwiravat, Wat Prak, Yannawa (Phrakhruwimolchaitham)
5. Phra Maha Prasit Pasitthi, Thepsirinthra Temple (disrobed)
6. Phra Maha Thongpliu Masawaro, Thepsirintharawat Temple (Phra Thepsarasuthee)
After the temple’s opening ceremony, the Board of Directors was elected to file an application to register the temple in accordance with Texas law. The first board consisted of 9 directors:-
1. Phra Amara Phirakkhit, Chairman (Somdet Phra Thiranyanamuni)
2. Phra Maha Prasit Pasitthi, Vice Chairman of the Board (resigned)
3. Dr. Manit Khantiphong, Vice Chairman
4. Dr. Sommai Sihapayak, committee member
5. Mr. Wirach Suphawong, Director
6. Mr. Chanchai Phuttapradeep, Committee Member
7. Mr. Phayap Shinawatra, Director
8. Mr. Watsanit Wadisirisak, Treasurer
9. Dr. Awuth Ploysongsaeng, Secretary