The Pluralism Project at Harvard University

Activities and Schedule

The monks begin their day at 7:30 a.m. with chanting and meditation, followed by breakfast. Between breakfast and lunch at 11:00 a.m., the monks work and/or study at the wat (temple). They take a break from lunchtime until 1:00 p.m., at which time they resume working. There are no employees at the wat, so all work must be done by the monks themselves. At 7:30 p.m., the monks hold another chanting and meditation session followed by time alloted for visitations and counseling sessions for the community and visitors.

History

The legal rights to build the temple were awarded on January 8, 1982. The land for the wat was purchased in 1983, and in May of 1983 the community constructed the current building. At present, donations are being accepted for the building of the Wat Buddha Bucha of Atlanta.

Demographics

Most members are Thai, but anyone may attend the services. Thai is the predominant language, but English is also spoken and English and Laotion texts are available.

Description

The Wat Buddha Bucha is located in southern Dekalb County, Georgia. It is nestled in a wooded area just off a side road of a main highway lined with strip malls and smaller businesses. There are two cabins surrounded by trees, so that one has little feeling of being in or near the city. Just beyond the trees, behind the neighboring Baptist church, land is being cleared for the building of the new Wat Buddha Bucha of Atlanta.

Upon entering the cabin in which the chanting and meditation services are held, one finds a library of books on Buddhism, psychology, education, computers, etc. These books are all donations, and many are donated college textbooks. The next, much larger room is the worship area. It houses statues of Buddha, drums, and cushions for attendees.