Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa

History in Brief.... Wat Yarnna Rangsee is a Thai Buddhist Monastery founded in 1988.  It is a center for Buddhists residing in Virginia, Washington D.C. and Maryland.  The path leading to the formation of Wat Yarnna Rangsee has been long and difficult. We hope our story will help you know us better.   The desire to establish a Wat began with a visit from the Abbot of Wat  Makutkasatriyaram, Pra Dhammadhapayajarn.  He and other Monks came for the annual meeting of the Dhammayut Order at the Buddhist Center for Dallas.   From then on, the Abbot visited Northern Virginia where a thousand Thai people reside. Pra  Dhammapanyajarn was a highly respected monk and this inspired the people to invite him to establish a Wat here in Northern Virgina.   He compassionately agreed to found a Wat. The Thai Community purchased the first property for use as a Wat at 2932 Meadow Land Rd., in Falls Church, Virginia. Once this was done, the monks took residence and began serving the Buddhist and Thai Community.  The grand opening took place on December 11, 1988.  The Wat was given the name,  "Wat Yarnna Rangsee" , which means "the radiation of light of Wisdom." Pramaha Samrerng Wongklom has been the Abbot since 1990.   After two years, the space at the Wat in Falls Church began to feel small.   On some special occasions there was not enough room for all the people who came.

Somdej  Pra Buddhachinavong, the Founder

The committee decided more space was needed so they sold the property in Falls Church and purchased a larger place. On January 12, 1991 the Wat moved to the second location at 11226 Chapel Road in Faifax Virginia.  The property consisted of a single house, three floors, six bedrooms, and four and a half bathrooms.  It seemed like the perfect place as it had a lot of rooms.  The difficulty came with regulations of Fairfax County.  In Thailand there are few regulations concerning the establishment of a Wat. Faifax County is very strict concerning Churches or Wats being located in a residential area.  The Committee petitioned the county for a permit but it did not pass.  Whenever people came to the Wat the neighbors complained to the county.

Watyarn in 3 locations

1st location:  Wat Yarnna Rangsee at Rte.50, Falls Church, VA 22042	This house was the 1st temple located at 2932 Meadow lane, Falls church, Vigrinia.  Mr.Patpong(Gob) and Mrs.Surisa  Phumtim who originated and partially sponsored this temple.  They and their friends who live in Northern Virginia had invited Somdej Pra Buddha Chinavong(Abbot of Wat Makut Kasatriyaram)  to come to VA and set up a new Thai temple.  Somdej Pra Buddha Chinavong had sent some monks to stay here.  A grand opening ceremony took place on December 11, 1988.  Due to the difficulty of parking lot, narrow space, and some other inconvenience, the temple had to move to the 2rd location on January 12, 1991.  The monks who stayed here were as follows: Prakru Bideeka Pichet Jirayuko, Prakru Palad Jaroen, Pramaha Prasert Thongnet, Pramaha Predee Kaewlin, Pramaha Supon Prommaphan, Prakru Medhee Dhamma Dhada, Pramaha Samrerng  Pahaso, Pramaha Pan  Suksawad, Pramah Rachen Iyararat.  Mr.Narong  Tungjairob was a president and a significant sponsor.
2nd location:  Wat Yarnna Rangsee at Rte.123, Fairfax Station, VA 22039	This house was the 2nd location for Watyarn.  It has 6 bedrooms, 4 and 1/2 bathrooms, 3 floors located on 4.3 acres of land.   The monks moved in on January 12, 1991.  People felt more comfortable to come here and more Thai people got to know the temple.  Nobody thought that they would have the same problem like the one in Falls church.  The neighbors complained to the county about traffic and noise when people came to the temple.  Monks stayed here stressfully and unhappily for 5-6 years.   Finally, this temple was sold in 1995 and moved to the 3rd location on July 13, 1996.  Anyway, there were many people who support the temple continuously.   But it's hard to mention all of them but some of them should be mentioned here like Dr.Soonthorn  Sirivanakarn, Mr.Chuck Pong, Mrs.Laongtip  Thuptien, Mrs.Klongjit Mobley, Mr.Anuroj  Ratanpool, Mrs.Anong Billet etc.  But the rest were already recorded in the heaven.
Third location: Wat Yarnna Rangsee at Rte. 28, Sterling, VA 20164	This is the present temple located in Sterling, Virginia.  The monks moved in on July 12-13, 1996.  Pramaha Samrerng had spent all his effort to solved the problems.  He nearly gave up but fortunately he found this land for sale and decided to buy it.  Since the temple has been here, there are no more problems at all.  It's a very good location, easy access, more space for parking, no complaining etc.  Lay people who put the most effort and should be remembered forever are as follows: Dr.Soonthorn  Sirivanakarn, Mrs.Klongjit  Mobley, Mrs.Laongtip  Thupthien, Mr..Prasert  Setji, Md.   Also, the others were already recorded in the heaven.  First, the temple has 2.9 acres of land.  In 1998, Pramaha Samrerng and his committee decided to purchase  the next door house in order to expand the property.  So, currently the temple has totally 4.43 acres which can provide more space for activities and parking.  Anyway, Watyarn is still growing on and on.  In the future, we hope to see Watyarn complete in all.

Abbots in order

Prakru Jirayuwatanakun (Pichet  Jirayuko)  The 1st (acting) abbot from 1989 - 1990	Ven. Prakru Pichet, he was the 1st (acting) abbot of Watyarn.  He came to stay at Watyarn in 1988 since the grand opening of the temple on December 11, 1988.  He normally resides at Wat Jedi Luang, Chiangmai.  Pra Amara Bhirakhita (Ven.Mongkol  Pemasilo) invited him to the USA. to stay at the temple.   He is now staying at Wat Jedi Luang, Chiangmai.  He is now 83 years old(2008).  Prakru Pichet, he traveled back and forth for a couple times between Thailand and America because of his visa litmit(6 month visa).  Later on, because of his illness, he decided to stay in Thailand permanently.   If you would like to go to visit him, he will be happy.
Jao Kun Pra Vibul Dhammavidesa (P.M.Samrerng  Wongklom, he is the second abbot.  Soon after his graduation from Mahamakut Buddhist University, Bangkok, Thailand.  Somdej Pra Buddha Chinavong had asked him to come to the USA. to set up Watyarn which is newly established.   Pra Vibul Dhammavidesa, he used to be the acting abbot of Wat Srakatiem, Nakorn Pathom where he ordained as a novice.   He was born in Noenkum, Bangkratum, Pitsanuloke.   He finished 7st grade from Noenkum Prachanukul Elementary School.  His mother took him to ordain as a novice at Wat Srakatiem  in 1979.  Since his grand mother was sick to death, his mom had no way to help.  She  made a pledge to the Buddha  that she will have his son become a novice for a month if her mother recover from illness.   He lived at Wat Srakatiem for a while.  His Uppachaya(Spiritual Father) took him to study at Mahavajiralongkorn Buddhist College.  He studied there for 9 years and moved to study at Mahamakut Buddhist University.   He taught Pali at Mahavajiralongkorn Buddhist College, Wongnoi, Ayutdhaya for some years.  He ordained as a monk on June 18, 1983.  Somdej Pra Buddha Chinavong was his Upachaya(Spiritual Father), Pra Dhamma Pamokha being his Right preceptor, Pratep Panyakavee being his left preceptor under the patronage of Tan poo ying Mom ratchavong Dajcharee  Rajjanee.  Pra Vibul Dhammavidesa had came to the USA. on May 30, 1990 to accomplish the temple purpose.   He found that establishing the Buddhist temple in America is very hard but he tried so hard for many years until he accomplish it.   He saw that the temple is now firm and stable, then he decided to leave a monkhood in 2007.	Jao Kun Pra Vibul Dhammavidesa (Samrerng  Pahaso) The 2nd abbot (1990-2007)
Prakru Vinaidhorn  Udom  Uttamasilo The 3rd abbot (2007 - current)	Ven. Udom  Samana, he is the 3rd and current abbot.  He is the successor after Jao Kun Pra Vibul Dhammavidesa.  He is following up the construction plan that Jao kun Vibul had set up.  He came to the USA. in 1999 and help teaching Buddhism at Watyarn from then on.   He is working on the new temple project.   Since the house where monks use for chanting and other activities is so small and narrow,  the monks and committee decided to build the new temple which is adjacent to the building.  The construction plan was already approved by Loudoun County but the budget is not ready yet.  Anyway, the bathroom for the new temple is now being constructed.   After the bathroom is finished, the temple will be constructed soon after.

Wat Yarnna Rangsee Buddhist Monastery  21950 Shaw Road     Sterling, Virginia 20164-9318 USA.  Tel. 703-406-8290, 703-406-2509