A Vision with Purpose
Wat Buddhametta is both a Temple and Monastery, and provides a place of residence for the monastic community in Tucson, as well as a meeting place for laypeople, and facilities for the observance of Buddhist religious practices according to the Theravada tradition. Members, students and individuals interested in Buddhist religion and practice can join us for classes, ceremonies, meditation, and community services. Training is also provided for persons aspiring to join the monastic community. We offer community services including Buddhist meditation, birth blessings, Thai Buddhist weddings, and funeral & memorial services. Additionally, Tucson Buddhist Meditation Center organizes other events such as fundraising, seminars, conferences, and meditation retreats. Please check our schedule regularly for modifications in meditation times as well as for notices of special events.
Wat Buddhametta: Tucson Buddhist Meditation Center is the vision of Theravada Buddhist monk, Ajahn Sarayut Arnanta. From 2006-2010, Ajahn Sarayut held group meditations aimed at teaching Vipassana or Mindfulness Meditation to both beginners and experienced meditators. The groups would meet once a month at various public library meeting rooms and practice meditation. Ajahn Sarayut noticed that a significant number of people that participated also thirsted for an environment to further their meditation practice.
Historically, the Temple from which Ajahn Sarayut serviced the community served the Southeast Asian Buddhist community exclusively. Nevertheless, Ajahn Sarayut's experience conducting group meditation demonstrated to him that there was a large non-Asian population that needed access to the environment which a Temple provides. In Thailand, it is common for Wat or Temples, which also serve as monasteries, to be open to the community for meditation and community services. In mid 2009, Ajahn Sarayut decided to establish a location in the heart of Tucson to provide a similar environment for the entire community, both Asian and non-asian. In February 2010, Wat Buddhametta and the Tucson Buddhist Meditation Center were established in central Tucson, on the site of a former landscape design school. The building is a 1950s 3500 sq. Ft. adobe on 3.5 acres, located just north of 22nd St. on the east side of Swan Rd.