Board Members of Wat Lao      Boupharam of San Diego, CA

Wat Lao Boupharam of San Diego is a center of Buddhist beliefs and spiritual refuge for all Laotians in the southern California area. The temple was established in 1996 by Pha Maha Achan Boupha Thanyavong who became the head abbot, and the Lao- American community of the San Diego metropolitan area. It has since been a bridge linking the Lao community and other Southeast Asian communities as well as Americans.

In an addition to performing religious services

Donation of Phra Trai Pi Dok

for the faithfuls, Wat Lao
Boupharam has also played a leading role in promoting and disseminating the Buddhist doctrines as a guiding light for Buddhists to live their life to its fullest. Wat Lao Boupharam has also organized many events to raise funds to help victims of the many catastrophes that happened around the world, such as the September 11th attacks and the Katrina hurricane disaster in the U.S., and the tsunami attacks in the Indian Ocean.

A Set of Phra Trai Pi Dok

But the most significant of Wat Lao Boupharam’s past activities is the donation of “Phra Trai Pi Dok or Buddhist Doctrines” to the San Diego State University Library, the San Diego Library, and the Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center.



Phra Achan Boupha told VOA

Pra Maha Achan Boupha             Thanyavong

that “These Buddhist Doctrines will open up the teachings of Buddha and allow the world to understand Buddhism and its practices.”

Phra Achan Boupha concluded our interview by preaching the five basic commandments that all Buddhists should practice and use them as a guiding light for communities, Laotians and Americans, to live peacefully together.

Listen to our audio for more details.