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Founded in 1982 by Phra Ajaan Maha Samarn Siripunno. It started when he met with a group of Lao people who had offered him a piece of land to establish a local monastery. He agreed that the land would be suitable for establishing a monastery. With the purchase of additional land, there were a total of eleven acres ready for the establishment of a Buddhist monastery in Keller.
In the beginning, Phra Maha Sawaeng Nitisaro from Wat Noranaatsuntarikaram was invited to be the monastery’s first abbot. A mobile home for the monks used as a temporary residence was donated by a member of the temple (Mr.Boonlert and family).
In 1984, a sign bearing the monastery was set at the entrance to the land. In the same year, more monks’ residences, a road with water drainage, and public restrooms were built. Trees were planted throughout the area.
History of Monastery
Wat Buddharatanaram
Monastery and Learning Center
13089 Sehapayak Road, Ft Worth, TX 76244
(817) 430-1365
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History of Monastery
In 1988, in line with Ajaan Maha Sawaeng's plan, the construction of other building was commenced. Despite poor health and other difficulties, Ajaan Maha Sawaeng devoted all his energy and knowledge to his religious duties and to the Dhamma for the benefit of Buddhist community. As a result of his dedication, Wat Buddharatanaram was set on a solid footing for progress. He passed away on November 9, 1988, at the hospital in Haltom City, Texas.
In 1989, the Elders Council of the Dhammayut Order appointed Phra Pariyattisarasuthi (Luang Por Petch) to be the second abbot of Wat Buddharatanaram. He was also appointed to serve as a Chairman of the Dhammayut Abbot Council in the U.S.A.
In 1990, an asphalt road, 1,000 feet long and 15 feet wide, was built from the Keller-Haslett road to the temple. The cost of the construction was donated by Dr. Sommai and Dr. Georgina Sihapayak, along with members of their family. The road was then named Sihapayak. At the same time, the main hall was completed and named "Sala Nitisarn" in memory of Ajaan Maha Sawaeng Nitisaro. The opening ceremony of Sala Nitisarn was held on July 1, 1990, presided over by Luang Pu Chob Thanasamo, Phra Udomnanamoli, (the abbot of Wat Sampantawong and the Head of the Eleventh Ecclesiastical District), and members of the Elders Council in Thailand.
The wall around the temple, as designed by Phra Ajaan Pichit Dhammavicito, was constructed in 1994. In the same year, the abbot, Phra Pariyuttisarnsuti (Luang Por Petch), received from His Majesty King Rama IX, an ecclesiastical title at the second or "Raja" level of the Royal Council of Monks, with the name, Phra Rajavajirasophone (now Phra Thepsaramunee).