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I was asked to present an American view of what I think the Buddhist
Temple in Tampa is all about. I have been coming to this
temple for over fifteen years, the last twelve or so on a
weekly basis. The first years were mainly for the benefit of
my Thai wife Dokmai, but as I
look back over
time, I see now
that it has
developed into a
family affair
and that I am
the most eager
to visit.
The
early years were
pretty strange
for me. Although
I had been
exposed to the
Thai culture
since the early
1970’s, the
temple visits
both in Thailand
and in the USA
were only on
special holidays
or while
visiting family
or friends in
Thailand. While
living in
California, the
Wat in LA was a
place to visit a
couple times a
year. We had and
monks over for a
meal once or
twice, but I
honestly did not
understand much
of what was
happening.
When we moved to
the Tampa area
in the early
1990’s, we found
out about this
WAT probably
through the
local food
stores or
restaurants. We
live in
Bradenton and at
that time did
not come into
contact with
Thai’s all that
often. After
several
invitations, my
wife convinced
me that it was
time for a visit
to Wat Tampa.
The
first visits
were awkward for
me to say the
least. I didn’t
know anyone,
didn’t know much
about the Tampa
area, and didn’t
know much about
Buddhism or the
Temple. What am
I doing here?
--The food of
course.
It
has been said
that the way to
a man’s heart is
through his
stomach. For me,
that certainly
applied. As I
remember the
first visits, a
ring of tables
set up outside a
house provided
an area to
purchase items.
Noodle soup was
being served
under a covered
patio and a
variety of
packaged food
was sold in a
small plastic
containers. The
smell of fried
fish, pickled
fish and fresh
fish drifted
throughout the
stalls. And the
deserts; I loved
the deserts.
Today the temple
area looks a lot
different. We
have two new
building and a
lot of new
people. The most
impressive
building is of
course our new
main temple or
Bot. It was
officially
dedicated in May
2007, but the
final details
are still being
applied. This
Temple is
magnificent both
on the outside
and the inside.
The other new
building is the
first you pass
as you enter the
area. To the
right, as you
come down the
main drive, you
see a two story
building. This
has the
dormitory, a
kitchen and
dining area,
administrative
offices and a
small but
impressive
religious
activity area.
Meditation and
religious
functions are
preformed there.
A small but
growing library
located within
is also worth a
visit.
As
you come in the
main drive and
look to the
left, you will
see a building
that looks like
a house. This is
known as the
school. This was
a property that
was a family
home purchased
about fifteen
years ago. It
provided
additional
parking, a
kitchen area and
after a very
generous
donation, the
house was
remodeled to
provide student
academic
classrooms,
dance studio and
a general
activity area.
During the last
few years of
construction
projects, it has
been useful for
temporary
sleeping and
living areas.
The last
building you see
is the one that
many of us are
most familiar
with. The hall
is a
multipurpose
building used
for special
functions,
holiday
celebrations and
provides for the
Sunday Market
that has become
so popular.
Which brings us
back to the
food. The Sunday
Market is a
special place to
bring the family
to enjoy
authentic Thai
food. The people
that prepare the
dishes are all
volunteers and
they know how it
was made back in
the villages and
cities where
they grew up. It
was common for
the young
children and
adults to be
exposed to
gathering,
preparing and
cooking the food
for the extended
families. This
is an art that
they love to
share to this
day.
What
a wonderful
place we have to
bring your
family and
friends to
enjoy. We have
beautiful views
of the Palm
River and the
newly
established
Meditation
Garden. The
picnic table
area is a great
place to sit,
eat, talk and
enjoy the
outdoors. The
riverbank and
dock invite
enjoyment and
relaxation. Let
the kids enjoy
the playground
or shoot a few
basketball hoops
while you bring
a book and just
enjoy the cool
breeze.
During the
coming months, I
hope to
introduce you to
other aspects of
our temple.
Please don’t be
shy. Join in new
activities,
enjoy different
foods and find
new ways at
looking at life.
I have grown to
love this place
and truly enjoy
coming. The
people are
friendly and
inviting. I hope
you will come
often and get to
know many new
friends.
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