ADDRESS: 1919 NC 24
        Cameron, NC 28326
PHONE: (919) 499-0567
FAX: (919) 499-6268
CONTACT: None
LINEAGE: Theravada Buddhism
AFFILIATION: None
NEWSLETTER: Way of Happiness. Circulation: 700.
WEBSITE: http://watmungmesrisuk.net/english/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=2

Down a winding country road in the small town of Cameron sits Wat Mungme Srisuk.  Wilert Pavattasiri founded this traditional Thai temple in 1997, and Amporn Campala took over as spiritual leader two years later.  In 2000, Wat Mungme Srisuk moved from nearby Spring Lake to its present location in Cameron, where devotees congregate in a trailer. But construction of a permanent temple is expected to be complete by the end of 2001. 

Sunday services are attended by a predominately Thai congregation of fifty members, while religious holidays draw larger crowds of nearly five hundred Buddhists from all over the state.  The temple houses Thai monks who travel to the United States to study both Buddhism and English.  The monks hold to traditional practices as much as possible, such as receiving food donations from the local lay Buddhist community.  However, they find that some monastic rules, such as the traditional prohibition against touching money, must be broken to complete daily chores.  Although it was only recently established, the temple already is important for the local Thai community.  And when the new building is complete, Wat Mungme Srisuk will serve as one of the two major Thai Theravadin centers in North Carolina.

CL

Updated 11-14-06