Thai New Year (Songkran)
2025-04-13 10:30 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Start off the Thai New Year (Songkran) at San Fran Dhammaram Temple on Sunday, April 13, 2025 by giving alms and participating in the traditional watering ritual in which water is poured on the Buddha’s relics, monks, nuns, and elders as a sign of respect and to ask for good luck and prosperity.
Wat San Fran School and students will have food stations offering a variety of delicious Thai curries, sweet treats, and refreshing Thai iced tea—all part of a fundraiser to benefit the school. Help the future generation of Thai Buddhists learn about its culture and traditions.
After the ceremonies and lunch, head over to Elk Glen Picnic Area in Golden Gate Park for an afternoon of fun and water games.
*If you plan to participate in the games at the park, be sure to bring some spare clothes!
Schedule
10:30 a.m. Alms round
11:00 a.m. Lunch offering
11:10 a.m. Sermon by Phra Kru Palat Anandapanyo
12:00 p.m. Sangha-dana offering
12:30 p.m. Sacred watering ceremony
1:30 p.m. Fun and games at the Elk Glen Picnic Area in Golden Gate Park
For more information call: (415) 753-0857 or email: watsanfran@yahoo.com

April Birthday Forest Robe Offering
2025-04-20 10:30 - 14:00 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
The Buddha once taught a disciple that those who do charity will gain much merit and wealth. Those that invite others to make merit will gain many followers and much influence.
Keeping that in mind, we invite everyone with a birthday in March to come be a communal sponsor for our February Birthday Forest Robe Offering on Sunday, April 20, 2025. Invite your friends and family to come join the ceremony and make merit with you!
We will start with an alms round in front of the temple at 10:45 a.m., followed by a lunch offering to the monks and nuns. After lunch and clean-up, there will be a short sermon and group meditation, followed by a forest robe offering ceremony. The monks will chant auspicious blessings and verses of protection.
We hope to see you there!
Schedule
10:45 a.m. Alms round in front of temple
11:00 a.m. Lunch offering
12:00 p.m. Creating good kamma – cleaning
12:30 p.m. Group meditation and sermon
1:00 p.m. Birthday Forest Robe Offering
1:30 p.m. Monks chant blessings and verses of protection

Eight Precept Observance
2025-05-09 07:00 - 2025-05-11 07:00 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Join us for the next observance on the following dates:
May 9–11
You will formally receive the Eight Precepts when you arrive. You will participate in daily chantings, lunch offerings, hear sermons, and read Dhamma books. If you have any questions, the monks and nuns are happy to guide you in your search for answers. Participants are allowed to spend the night at the temple (men) or Akaliko (women).
Reserve your spot now by contacting us at watsanfran@yahoo.com or (415) 753-0857.

Visakha Puja
2025-05-11 10:30 - 14:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Visakha Puja Day marks three major events in the life of the Buddha: the day he was born, the day he became enlightened, and the day he entered nibbana. These auspicious events miraculously fall on the same month and day–the full moon day of the sixth lunar month.
Join us in commemorating Visakha Puja at Wat San Fram on Sunday, May 11 with an alms round, group chanting, and a traditional candle procession in reverence of the Buddha.
Schedule
10:30 a.m. Alms round
11:00 a.m. Lunch offering
11:10 a.m. Sermon by Phra Kru Palat Anandapanyo
12:00 a.m. Sangha-dana offering
12:30 a.m. Chanting
12:45 p.m. Candle procession ceremony

May Birthday Forest Robe Offering
2025-05-18 10:30 - 14:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
The Buddha once taught a disciple that those who do charity will gain much merit and wealth. Those that invite others to make merit will gain many followers and much influence.
Keeping that in mind, we invite everyone with a birthday in March to come be a communal sponsor for our February Birthday Forest Robe Offering on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Invite your friends and family to come join the ceremony and make merit with you!
We will start with an alms round in front of the temple at 10:45 a.m., followed by a lunch offering to the monks and nuns. After lunch and clean-up, there will be a short sermon and group meditation, followed by a forest robe offering ceremony. The monks will chant auspicious blessings and verses of protection.
We hope to see you there!
Schedule
10:45 a.m. Alms round in front of temple
11:00 a.m. Lunch offering
12:00 p.m. Creating good kamma – cleaning
12:30 p.m. Group meditation and sermon
1:00 p.m. Birthday Forest Robe Offering
1:30 p.m. Monks chant blessings and verses of protection

May 20 Fundraiser
2025-05-20 10:30 - 14:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
May 20 is a special day for us, as it marks Venerable Acariya Thoon Khippapañño’s birthday.
We are holding a fundraiser to commemorate this auspicious day.
To donate (click here)
Please send your transaction receipt to LINE: @watsanfran or email: watsanfran@yahoo.com. For more information, call (415) 753-0857.
We are a 501(c)(3) charity, so your donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

June Birthday Forest Robe Offering
2025-06-22 10:30 - 13:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
The Buddha once taught a disciple that those who do charity will gain much merit and wealth. Those that invite others to make merit will gain many followers and much influence.
Keeping that in mind, we invite everyone with a birthday in June to come be a communal sponsor for our June Birthday Forest Robe Offering on Sunday, June 22, 2025. Invite your friends and family to come join the ceremony and make merit with you!

We will start with an alms round in front of the temple at 10:45 a.m., followed by a lunch offering to the monks and nuns. After lunch and clean-up, there will be a short sermon and group meditation, followed by a forest robe offering ceremony. The monks will chant auspicious blessings and verses of protection.

We hope to see you there!

Schedule10:45 a.m. Alms round in front of temple11:00 a.m. Lunch offering12:00 p.m. Creating good kamma – cleaning12:30 p.m. Group meditation and sermon1:00 p.m. Birthday Forest Robe Offering1:30 p.m. Monks chant blessings and verses of protection

Wat San Fran Annual Retreat
2025-06-23 07:00 - 2025-06-29 07:00 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
June 23– 29, 2025
Every year since our teacher, Venerable Acariya Thoon Khippapañño, came to the USA, our community has held pañña (wisdom) style retreats. In these retreats, we gather and discuss real-world problems, how to fix them using wisdom, and learn to address the underlying views that give rise to our issues.
In the past, we held a large annual retreat every year at KPY USA retreat center in Redwood Valley. However, we lost the retreat center in the large Northern California wildfires in 2017 and have since been holding smaller annual retreats at the temple. This year’s retreat theme is Samma-Saddha, meaning right faith.
All attendees, please sign up using this registration form: https://forms.gle/Q3j5QmK5RC7Fgw5a8

วัดซานฟรานธัมมารามขอเชิญเข้าร่วมอบรมปฏิบัติธรรมประจำปีในวันที่ 23-29 มิถุนายน 2568
ผู้สนใจสมัครเข้าอบรมสามารถลงทะเบียนในแบบฟอร์มด้านล่างนี้
https://forms.gle/Q3j5QmK5RC7Fgw5a8

Eight Precept Observance
2025-06-27 07:00 - 2025-06-29 07:00 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Join us for the next observance on the following dates:
June 27–29
You will formally receive the Eight Precepts when you arrive. You will participate in daily chantings, lunch offerings, hear sermons, and read Dhamma books. If you have any questions, the monks and nuns are happy to guide you in your search for answers. Participants are allowed to spend the night at the temple (men) or Akaliko (women).
Reserve your spot now by contacting us at watsanfran@yahoo.com or (415) 753-0857.

Asalha Puja
2025-07-10 10:30 - 14:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Asalha Puja commemorates the day in which the Buddha delivered his first post-enlightenment sermon to the Five Ascetics (pañcavaggiya) in the Sarnath Deer Park. This “setting the wheel of Dhamma into motion” discourse outlined the essence of Buddhism: the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path.

Eight Precept Observance
2025-07-11 07:00 - 2025-07-13 07:00 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Join us for the next observance on the following dates:
July 11–13
You will formally receive the Eight Precepts when you arrive. You will participate in daily chantings, lunch offerings, hear sermons, and read Dhamma books. If you have any questions, the monks and nuns are happy to guide you in your search for answers. Participants are allowed to spend the night at the temple (men) or Akaliko (women).
Reserve your spot now by contacting us at watsanfran@yahoo.com or (415) 753-0857.

Start of the Vassa
2025-07-13 10:30 - 14:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
This year, Asalha Puja falls on Thursday, July 10 and the vassa (three-month rains retreat) begins on Friday, July 11. You are invited to join us for the traditional ceremonies on those dates, however we will also observe Asalha Puja and the start of the vassa on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
Schedule
10:30 a.m. Alms round
11:00 a.m. Lunch offering
11:10 a.m. Sermon by Phra Kru Palat Anandapanyo
12:00 p.m. Vassa candle offering and Sangha-dana
12:30 a.m. Chanting
12:45 p.m. Candle procession ceremony

For more information call: 415-753-0857 or email: watsanfran@yahoo.com

July Birthday Forest Robe Offering
2025-07-20 10:30 - 13:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
The Buddha once taught a disciple that those who do charity will gain much merit and wealth. Those who invite others to make merit will gain many followers and much influence.
Keeping that in mind, we invite everyone with a birthday in July to come be a communal sponsor for our July Birthday Forest Robe Offering on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Invite your friends and family to come join the ceremony and make merit with you!

We will start with an alms round in front of the temple at 10:45 a.m., followed by a lunch offering to the monks and nuns. After lunch and clean-up, there will be a short sermon and group meditation, followed by a forest robe offering ceremony. The monks will chant auspicious blessings and verses of protection.

We hope to see you there!

Schedule10:45 a.m. Alms round in front of temple11:00 a.m. Lunch offering12:00 p.m. Creating good kamma – cleaning12:30 p.m. Group meditation and sermon1:00 p.m. Birthday Forest Robe Offering1:30 p.m. Monks chant blessings and verses of protection

Eight Precept Observance
2025-08-08 07:00 - 2025-08-10 07:00 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Join us for the next observance on the following dates:
August 8–10
You will formally receive the Eight Precepts when you arrive. You will participate in daily chantings, lunch offerings, hear sermons, and read Dhamma books. If you have any questions, the monks and nuns are happy to guide you in your search for answers. Participants are allowed to spend the night at the temple (men) or Akaliko (women).
Reserve your spot now by contacting us at watsanfran@yahoo.com or (415) 753-0857.

Wat San Fran School Graduation Day
2025-08-09 13:00 - 16:30 | Hall of Flowers, 9th Ave & Lincoln Way, United States
The students of Wat San Fran School will soon complete their summer course! They will receive their graduation certificates on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at Hall of Flowers (9th Ave & Lincoln Way) in Golden Gate Park at 1 p.m. Please join us!

August Birthday Forest Robe Offering
2025-08-17 10:30 - 13:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
The Buddha once taught a disciple that those who do charity will gain much merit and wealth. Those who invite others to make merit will gain many followers and much influence.
Keeping that in mind, we invite everyone with a birthday in August to come be a communal sponsor for our August Birthday Forest Robe Offering on Sunday, August 17, 2025. Invite your friends and family to come join the ceremony and make merit with you!

We will start with an alms round in front of the temple at 10:45 a.m., followed by a lunch offering to the monks and nuns. After lunch and clean-up, there will be a short sermon and group meditation, followed by a forest robe offering ceremony. The monks will chant auspicious blessings and verses of protection.

We hope to see you there!

Schedule10:45 a.m. Alms round in front of temple11:00 a.m. Lunch offering12:00 p.m. Creating good kamma – cleaning12:30 p.m. Group meditation and sermon1:00 p.m. Birthday Forest Robe Offering1:30 p.m. Monks chant blessings and verses of protection

Aug 26 Birthday Fundraiser
2025-08-26 10:30 - 14:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Mae Chee Yo is a principal founder and lead teacher at San Fran Dhammaram Temple and one of Venerable Acariya Thoon Khippapañño’s foremost students. Every year, we hold a birthday fundraiser benefiting a cause of her choosing.
To donate (click here)
Please include a note/memo about which project you wish to donate to and send your transaction receipt to LINE: @watsanfran or email: watsanfran@yahoo.com. For more information, call (415) 753-0857.
We are a 501(c)(3) charity, so your donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Eight Precept Observance
2025-09-05 07:00 - 2025-09-07 07:00 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Join us for the next observance on the following dates:
September 5–7
You will formally receive the Eight Precepts when you arrive. You will participate in daily chantings, lunch offerings, hear sermons, and read Dhamma books. If you have any questions, the monks and nuns are happy to guide you in your search for answers. Participants are allowed to spend the night at the temple (men) or Akaliko (women).
Reserve your spot now by contacting us at watsanfran@yahoo.com or (415) 753-0857.

September Birthday Forest Robe Offering
2025-09-14 10:30 - 13:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
The Buddha once taught a disciple that those who do charity will gain much merit and wealth. Those who invite others to make merit will gain many followers and much influence.
Keeping that in mind, we invite everyone with a birthday in September to come be a communal sponsor for our September Birthday Forest Robe Offering on Sunday, September 14, 2025. Invite your friends and family to come join the ceremony and make merit with you!

We will start with an alms round in front of the temple at 10:45 a.m., followed by a lunch offering to the monks and nuns. After lunch and clean-up, there will be a short sermon and group meditation, followed by a forest robe offering ceremony. The monks will chant auspicious blessings and verses of protection.

We hope to see you there!

Schedule10:45 a.m. Alms round in front of temple11:00 a.m. Lunch offering12:00 p.m. Creating good kamma – cleaning12:30 p.m. Group meditation and sermon1:00 p.m. Birthday Forest Robe Offering1:30 p.m. Monks chant blessings and verses of protection

October Birthday Forest Robe Offering
2025-10-12 10:30 - 13:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
The Buddha once taught a disciple that those who do charity will gain much merit and wealth. Those who invite others to make merit will gain many followers and much influence.
Keeping that in mind, we invite everyone with a birthday in October to come be a communal sponsor for our October Birthday Forest Robe Offering on Sunday, October 12, 2025. Invite your friends and family to come join the ceremony and make merit with you!

We will start with an alms round in front of the temple at 10:45 a.m., followed by a lunch offering to the monks and nuns. After lunch and clean-up, there will be a short sermon and group meditation, followed by a forest robe offering ceremony. The monks will chant auspicious blessings and verses of protection.

We hope to see you there!

Schedule10:45 a.m. Alms round in front of temple11:00 a.m. Lunch offering12:00 p.m. Creating good kamma – cleaning12:30 p.m. Group meditation and sermon1:00 p.m. Birthday Forest Robe Offering1:30 p.m. Monks chant blessings and verses of protection

End of the Vassa
2025-10-12 10:30 - 14:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Please join us in celebrating the end of the 2024 vassa (rains retreat) at San Fran Dhammaram Temple on Sunday, October 12. There will be an alms round in front of the temple at 10:45 a.m. in the “Tak Bat Devo” tradition. This will commemorate the day the Buddha returned to Earth after blessing his mother and other devas in the Tavatimsa heaven during his seventh rains retreat. The event will include a food offering and a Dhamma sermon.
Schedule
10:45 a.m. Alms round
11:00 a.m. Lunch offering
11:15 a.m. Sermon by Phra Kru Palat Anandapanyo
12:00 p.m. Sangha-dana offering

Eight Precept Observance
2025-10-17 07:00 - 2025-10-19 07:00 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Join us for the next observance on the following dates:
October 17–19
You will formally receive the Eight Precepts when you arrive. You will participate in daily chantings, lunch offerings, hear sermons, and read Dhamma books. If you have any questions, the monks and nuns are happy to guide you in your search for answers. Participants are allowed to spend the night at the temple (men) or Akaliko (women).
Reserve your spot now by contacting us at watsanfran@yahoo.com or (415) 753-0857.

San Fran Dhammaram Temple's 2025 Kathina
2025-10-19 10:00 - 15:30 | Hall of Flowers, 9th Ave & Lincoln Way, United States
Please join us in sponsoring and attending San Fran Dhammaram Temple’s 2024 Kathina fundraiser event at the Hall of Flowers (9th Ave & Lincoln Way) in Golden Gate Park.
Sunday, October 19, 2024
10:00 a.m. Alms round
10:30 a.m. Food offering
12:00 p.m. Sangha-dana offering
12:30 p.m. Kathina ceremony
2:30 p.m. Performance by Wat San Fran School students

Sponsorship levels:
$100 group sponsor
$1,000 principal sponsor

To donate: click here

30-Day Memorial for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother
2025-11-07 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-12 19:00 - 20:00 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Beginning October 24, 2025, our temple is observing a 30-day memorial in honor of Her Majesty the Queen Mother. Each evening starts at 6:00 p.m. with chanting and meditation, followed by Abhidhamma recitation at 7:00 p.m. Devotees are invited to make offerings in Her Majesty’s honor at this time. Join us in dedicating merit and expressing gratitude for her life of virtue and compassion.

The temple will also organize merit-making ceremonies dedicated as royal merit on the following important days:

7th Day (Sattamavara): Thursday, October 30, 2025
15th Day (Pannarasamavara): Friday, November 7, 2025
50th Day (Panyasamavara): Friday, December 12, 2025
100th Day (Satamavara): Saturday, January 31, 2026

Anniversary of Venerable Acariya Thoon Khippapañño’s passing
2025-11-11 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
In the early morning of November 11, 2008, Venerable Acariya Thoon Khippapañño passed away into final enlightenment (nibbana). On this 17th anniversary of our noble master’s passing, we reflect on his teachings, his legacy, and our work to carry out his mission. Acariya Thoon dedicated his life to spreading the Buddha’s teachings about the importance of keeping wisdom (pañña) and right view (samma-ditthi) at the forefront of Dhamma practice.
We continue to preserve his teachings, practice in his footsteps, and are dedicated to producing media that embodies these core principles in Thai, English, and many other languages in order to reach the greater public. We recently published “The Autobiography of Venerable Acariya Thoon Khippapañño” in both English and Thai complete with color illustrations in paperback, epub, and pdf formats (click here) and our “watsanfran” YouTube channel regularly publishes Acariya Thoon’s Dhamma sermons as well as thought provoking excerpts of those sermons in our “Taste of Dhamma” series in Thai (click here) and with English subtitles (click here).
On this day that commemorates Acariya Thoon’s last day on Earth, help us keep his legacy alive by sharing his life story and teachings with others. We bow in deep reverence to Venerable Acariya Thoon Khippapañño. Sadhu, sadhu, sadhu.

November Birthday Forest Robe Offering
2025-11-16 10:30 - 13:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
The Buddha once taught a disciple that those who do charity will gain much merit and wealth. Those who invite others to make merit will gain many followers and much influence.

Keeping that in mind, we invite everyone with a birthday in November to come be a communal sponsor for our November Birthday Forest Robe Offering on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Invite your friends and family to come join the ceremony and make merit with you!

We will start with an alms round in front of the temple at 10:45 a.m., followed by a lunch offering to the monks and nuns. After lunch and clean-up, there will be a short sermon and group meditation, followed by a forest robe offering ceremony. The monks will chant auspicious blessings and verses of protection.

We hope to see you there!

Schedule10:45 a.m. Alms round in front of temple11:00 a.m. Lunch offering12:00 p.m. Creating good kamma – cleaning12:30 p.m. Group meditation and sermon1:00 p.m. Birthday Forest Robe Offering1:30 p.m. Monks chant blessings and verses of protection

Eight Precept Observance
2025-11-21 07:00 - 2025-11-23 07:00 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Join us for the next observance on the following dates:
November 21–23
You will formally receive the Eight Precepts when you arrive. You will participate in daily chantings, lunch offerings, hear sermons, and read Dhamma books. If you have any questions, the monks and nuns are happy to guide you in your search for answers. Participants are allowed to spend the night at the temple (men) or Akaliko (women).
Reserve your spot now by contacting us at watsanfran@yahoo.com or (415) 753-0857.

December Birthday Forest Robe Offering
2025-12-14 10:30 - 13:30 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
The Buddha once taught a disciple that those who do charity will gain much merit and wealth. Those who invite others to make merit will gain many followers and much influence.

Keeping that in mind, we invite everyone with a birthday in December to come be a communal sponsor for our December Birthday Forest Robe Offering on Sunday, December 14, 2025. Invite your friends and family to come join the ceremony and make merit with you!

We will start with an alms round in front of the temple at 10:45 a.m., followed by a lunch offering to the monks and nuns. After lunch and clean-up, there will be a short sermon and group meditation, followed by a forest robe offering ceremony. The monks will chant auspicious blessings and verses of protection.

We hope to see you there!

Schedule10:45 a.m. Alms round in front of temple11:00 a.m. Lunch offering12:00 p.m. Creating good kamma – cleaning12:30 p.m. Group meditation and sermon1:00 p.m. Birthday Forest Robe Offering1:30 p.m. Monks chant blessings and verses of protection

Wat San Fran School Spring Enrollment
2025-12-15 08:00 - 2026-01-06 17:00 | San Fran Dhammaram Temple, 2645 Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA, 94122, United States
Spring enrollment period is December 15, 2025 – January 6, 2026. Spring ’26 classes will begin on January 10, 2026 and end on May 17, 2026. Students will learn Thai language, music, and culture.
Classes are open to children aged 5 years and up. New students are required to take a placement test. For further details, please email watsanfranschool@gmail.com.
