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The Thai Alliance in America (TAA) supports Wat Mongkolratanaram and “Save the Thai Temple” 
Quite possibly, one of the first movements of its kind, Save the Thai Temple(STTT), a dedicated group of second generation Thai Americans, are working tirelessly to protect their beloved Wat Mongkolratanaram (Wat Berkeley, CA). What began years ago as Thai summer school has now evolved into a network of Thai Americans from around the Bay Area collaborating to preserve the religious and cultural center that their community elders established. From Thai community elders to surrounding Berkeley neighbors to universities and non-profit organizations, these individuals reflect the diverse and expanding base of support for the public education campaign insisting that Temple’s constitutional and civil rights be upheld.
In April 2008, Wat Berkeley attempted to file a permit to erect a shrine to house Buddhist images. Instead, what erupted were demands from a small group of complainants urging the Zoning Adjustment Board (ZAB) to curtail the Temple’s Sunday Food Offering, a form of merit making (Tum Boon) activities. The Sunday Food Offerings are essential to the Buddhist religious practice of the communal food-sharing aspect of contributing and receiving Buddhist merit. These services have become the center of the Temple’s spiritual activities, a part of the Culture and Arts Plan of Berkeley, and a main staple in the Thai American community, helping subsidize many of the cultural and religious programs offered on the grounds.
In a proactive response, the Temple slashed the Sunday hours by 50% (it now operates 3 hours a week), conducted land use studies, and modified construction plans, in hopes of creating goodwill. After four hearings, which have stretched out almost a year, six mediation sessions, and three community open houses, the ZAB has granted both the building permit and allows for the Temple’s 27 year beloved Sunday traditions to continue. Since then, a group of three individuals filed an appeal requesting that the Temple further cut its hours by 75%, move offsite, build structures specifically to house Sunday visitors, and to cut the top and bottom of the proposed Buddhist shrine. There will be a hearing by the Berkeley City Council to decide whether or not the ZAB’s decision will be upheld.
Wat Mongkolratanaram
As the demand became increasingly aggressive, complainants started calling the police to the Temple over what they thought were violations of the permit granted – lay people cooking for the monks. The permit clearly articulates that cooking may be done on the grounds for the monks and lay people residing as well as for the children which attend classes, as long as the food is not sold.
In addition to collectively organizing, STTT has recently garnered full support from key organizations and institutions that fully side with Wat Berkeley. Some of these well-known establishments are the Asian Law Caucus of San Francisco; San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies, Ethnic Studies, as well as La Raza Studies Departments; UC Berkeley’s ASUC; California State Assembly Member Paul Fong of District 22; Filipinas Magazine; Asian Week Magazine; Angryasianman.com; University of San Francisco’s Center for the Pacific Rim; as well as many other Asian American groups and individuals.
Throughout the country, the Thai Buddhist temples serve as the heart and anchor for its community. Curtailing of the religious activities is considered a violation of first amendment rights that should be afforded to the Temple's followers.
The Thai Alliance in America (TAA) supports Wat Mongkolratanaram and Save The Thai Temple. TAA will be providing letters of support for STTT to members of the Berkeley City Council prior to their hearing.
Some of the Save the Thai Temple (STTT) Team
The Berkeley City Council is scheduled to decide whether to uphold the Zoning Adjustment Board (ZAB) decision on Tuesday, September 22, 2009.
For more information, please contact:
Ide Viriya (Thai Alliance in America)
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Pahole Sookkasikon (Save the Thai Temple) -
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