TEMPLE HISTORY

San Fran Dhammaram Temple is the embodiment of Ācariya Thoon Khippapañño’s vision to proliferate the Buddha’s teachings. He first visited America in 1987 and returned subsequent times to teach the Dhamma. At that time, there weren’t any locations established for the meeting, education, and communal discussion of Dhamma.

Established in 2002 as a center for the teaching and practice of Theravada Buddhism, San Fran Dhammaram Temple is the first Thai temple in the city of San Francisco. Thanks to the faithful support of Thai and local communities, the temple has grown rapidly and has become a central institution not only for Dhamma practice, but also for Thai language and culture.

Venerable Ācariya Thoon Khippapañño (Luang Por Thoon) was the founder and abbot of Wat Pa Ban Kho in Udon Thani, Thailand. He is one of the great enlightened masters of Dhamma in contemporary times. He has brought the bright light of Dhamma to San Franciscans and many others around the world. Ācariya Thoon Khippapañño always emphasized the importance of starting Dhamma practice with right view (sammaditthi), which itself develops from practicing wisdom (panya), so that the accurate perception of the truth is known.