WatThaiDenmarkBrahmavihara Buddhist Monastery

 

 

WatThaiDenmarkBrahmavihara was founded since 12^th October 1990 with the cooperation from Thais who live in nearby countries such as Sweden, Norway, Germany and so on. Initially, people assembled together as Buddhist Community in Denmark to establish “Wat” ( Buddhist Monastery ) to be the place for Thais to get together and perform religious functions.

The initial fund was only 8,000 Danish Krone from Thai-Danish Society (Sawasdee Thai). The budget was used for arranging Thai cultural and traditional Buddhist functions. Within 3 years, the budget had expanded to 200,000 Danish Krone and they agreed to set up the proper place for the temple. Under the supervision of Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand, His Holiness Somdet Phra Bhuddachariya ( at that time his title was PhraBrahmagunabhorn ) the abbot of WatSraket  had suggested Phrasoodthibongse Soodthiwungso from WatPhrakraisi  Bangkok  to be the leader of  Dhammaduta monks to help people for establishing WatThai. The great support from Ganløse Lion Club and Stenløse commune made this project successful.

Once the Dhammaduta monk arrived, it was not easy as they expected. The place was not ready yet and nothing can be utilized for the project. However, they still continued the project by delegating work to each group in Thai community.

As the first generation of the Dhammaduta monk in Denmark, they had faced a lot of difficulties. Not only lack of liquidity but also separated groups of Thais were main problems. But they could still achieve the goal by having WatThai for Buddhist community. One of the remarkable team which has been helping  the temple are group of teenagers. Most of them did not come from a perfect family but with Metta ( Loving-kindness ) from the monks the temple became their second home. By having such a very strong  team, the ownership of the property was transferred to the temple and they had paid back the loan in full amount within 3 years.

On 1^st July 1991, with official visitation of His Holiness Somdet Phra Bhuddachariya and his group from Thailand, the fist Uposatha hall ( Consecrated assembly hall ) was set up. The full setting up process and religious ceremony were done  by his holiness and 14 highly respected Thai monks on the next day. Later on, the hall was extended and renovated to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of HM the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand accession to the throne. His Excellency Mr. Chaisiri Anaman, Ambassador of Thailand in Copenhagen, had requested for the permission to use the logo of the 60^th anniversary of HM the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand accession to the throne celebration at the temple and the permission was granted on 22^nd June 2006.

Even though, Buddhist monastery is considered as non profit organization but it still needs the budget to run due to all fixed expenses. So public relation is one of the strategy for fund raising. By having the support from Lok Thip, one of the most popular Buddhist magazine in Thailand, it became a channel to present news, events and activities which became very interesting for Thai who live in abroad. Charity concert or football match of Thai teenagers who live in many countries are the activities that motivate fund raising campaign. Even now, it is still not enough and many sources such as bank loan have been sought.

 

 

Development, renovation, and maintenance details

Year	Description	(approx) Amount in Danish Krone
1990-1992	Renovation of the building#1 to make the hall Making living room Making Dinning room Spreading carpet in the whole building Renovation of monk bed rooms & bath rooms Renovation of basement for lay followers’ bedroom	50000 30000 50000 80000 100000 200000 Total        510000
1993-1995	Renovation of barn to be a resident for lay followers Build new kitchen Build new dinning room Build new office Build more bath rooms	50000 350000 50000 100000 120000 Total         670000
1995-1997	Renovation of warehouse to be grand bedrooms Build new bed room and bath room down stair Build a library	100000  120000  150000  Total         370000
1998	Renovation of landscape & walking path in a garden	Total          175000

 

In 1999, New building was purchased at 1,500,000 Krone by paying installments with the bank. By making this decision, it was a chance to expand the Uposatha hall and use this building as a center for remote education(  with the cooperation of Institute of Asia Pacific Studies Srinakharinwirot University )

To commemorate KrubaBrahma Brahmacakko and His Holiness Somdet Phra Bhuddachariya(  his former title was PhraBrahmagunabhorn ) , the name of the temple was changed from WatThaiDenmark to WatThaiDenmarkBrahmavihara, Buddhist Monastery.

 It is located 27 kilometers away from the center of the city. The transportations to the temple are very comfortable  both train and car. The land was purchased to expand the temple and Our boundary also was re-measured resulting more land in our property. It is altogether 2115 square meters. Our ecclesiastical properties are 5 building which divided into Consecrated assembly hall, Monk resident, lay follower resident, library and canteen.

In 2004, Royal annual robe presentation from HM the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand was given to the temple by the petition of His Excellency Mr. Adisak Bhanupong, Ambassador of Thailand in Copenhagen.

In 2005, 2006. 2007 and 2008 Royal annual robe presentation from HM the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand was given to the temple by the petition of His Excellency Mr. Chaisiri Anaman, Ambassador of Thailand in Copenhagen.

In 2009, Royal annual robe presentation from HM the King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand was given to the temple by the petition of Her Excellency Mrs. Cholchineepan Chiranond, Ambassador of Thailand in Copenhagen.

On 3 July 2007, Her Royal Highness Soamsavali had visited WatThaiDenmarkBrahmavihara to preside over the opening ceremony of “The Celebrations On Auspicious Occasion Of His Majesty The King's 80^th  Birthday Anniversary 5^th  December 2007”.

 In 1997, Phra Robert Dhammanandho who is an English monk and very acquainted with us contacted . He went Iceland for his study. Further on he had an opportunity to set up Buddhist community and meditation center but facing with many problems from Thai community. The Dhammaduta ( Phra Ajan Kasem ) was sent from WatThaiDenmarkBrahmavihara to help and continue the project.

Phramaha Prasit Sirindharo ( his current title is PhrakruVidesSiridham ) was sent to be a project manger for setting up WatThai in Iceland.

 

Vision of  WatThaiDenmarkBrahmavihara,  Buddhist Monastery

1. To be the second home to unite Thai who live in Denmark and neighbor countries.
2. To be the place to study Buddhism and Thai tradition and culture for everyone.
3. To be ecclesiastical center of functions and meditation for everyone.
4. To be the place for Thai to have further study.