Author: MT

Wat Buddhavas Houston warmly invites the community to join in the observance of Magha Puja Day 2026 on Sunday, March 1, 2026, beginning at 10:30 AM. This important Buddhist holy day commemorates the gathering of 1,250 enlightened disciples who came together spontaneously to hear the Buddha’s teachings, symbolizing unity, purity, and the heart of the Dhamma.

Activities

• Buddhist chanting and prayer
• Alms offering and merit‑making
• Dhamma sermon
• Candlelight circumambulation (Wian Tian) around the Ubosot

4th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony for Phra Thepphuthiwithet (Prachan Chutintharo Kumchan) Former Abbot of Wat Buddhavas Houston and Former President of the Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the USA

Sunday, February 15, 2026
From 10:00 AM onward

Program Schedule

10:00 AM

• Assemble together at the Ubosot (Main Ordination Hall)
• Chanting of Dhammaniyama by 10 senior monks
• Offering of robes (Pha Bangsukun) and Thai Tham requisites
• Water‑pouring ceremony to receive blessings (Kruat Nam)

11:00 AM

• Alms offering to 20–30 monks
• Offering of the midday meal (Phra Phan)

12:00 PM

• Community lunch

1:30 PM

• Reassemble at the Ubosot
• Matika chanting ceremony
• Offering of robes (Pha Bangsukun) and Thai Tham requisites
• Water‑pouring ceremony to receive blessings

พิธีทักษิณานุประทาน ครบรอบมรณกาล 4 ปี 

พระเทพพุทธิวิเทศ (ประชัน ชุตินฺธโร คำจันทร์)

อดีตเจ้าอาวาสวัดพุทธาวาส นครฮิวส์ตัน 

อดีตประธานสมัชชาสงฆ์ไทยในสหรัฐอเมริกา

วันอาทิตย์ ที่ 15 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2569

10.00 am เป็นต้นไป

*********************

กำหนดการ

10.00 am

     – พร้อมเพรียงกัน ณ อุโบสถ

     – พระสงฆ์ทรงสมณศักดิ์ 10 รูป สวดธรรมนิยาม

     – ทอดผ้าบังสุกุล ถวายเครื่องไทยธรรม

     – กรวดน้ำรับพร

11.00 am

     – ร่วมทำบุญใส่บาตรพระสงฆ์ 20 – 30 รูป

     – ถวายภัตราหารเพล

12.00 pm

     – ร่วมรับประทานอาหารกลางวัน

01.30 pm

     – พร้อมเพรียงกัน ณ อุโบสถ

     – พิธีสวดมาติกา

     – ทอดผ้าบังสุกุล ถวายเครื่องไทยธรรม

     – กรวดน้ำรับพร

The Thai community of Houston and nearby cities is invited to join a merit‑making ceremony dedicated as a royal offering in honor of
Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, The Queen Mother,
on the occasion of the 100th day (Satamawan) since Her Majesty’s passing.

Saturday, January 31, 2026
Wat Buddhavas Houston, Texas, USA
4:00 PM

Attendees may sign the condolence book at the ceremony.
All are respectfully encouraged to wear modest black‑and‑white attire or other appropriate mourning colors during the service.

You are respectfully invited to attend the Abhidhamma chanting
and to offer your condolences on the passing of

Phra Thepmongkolwachirangsi
(Luang Ta Chee Surasak Cheewananto)

Former Chief Abbot of Wat Thai Washington, D.C.
Former Advisor to the Thai Sangha Assembly in the United States

At the Ubosot (ordination hall)
Wat Buddhavas, Houston

Sunday, January 18, 2026 4:00 PM

Wat Buddhavas of Houston cordially invites you and your family to join us for the annual Kathina Samakkhi Ceremony. This rare and auspicious occasion marks the end of the Rains Retreat (Vassa) and provides a unique opportunity to offer robes and other necessities to the Sangha (the monastic community). Your participation in this sacred tradition is a meritorious deed that helps sustain our community.

📅 Date: Saturday, October 12, 2025
📍 Location: Wat Buddhavas of Houston

You’re Invited to Make Merit on the End of Buddhist Lent
Wat Buddhavas of Houston warmly welcomes you and your family to join us in celebrating Mahapavarana Day and the Tak Bat Thewo almsgiving ceremony.

Come offer alms to 9 monks, reflect on the blessings of the Buddhist Lent, and share in a day of community, tradition, and spiritual renewal.

Whether you’re continuing a cherished tradition or experiencing it for the first time, your presence will bring joy and merit to all.

📅 Date: October 5, 2023
🕙 Time: Starting from 10:00 AM onward
📞 For inquiries: (281) 820-3255 | watbuddhavas.org

Join us for a meaningful evening of Dhamma reflection as we explore the Sammukhī Sutta. Together, we’ll contemplate the three qualities that bring abundant merit:

1. Faith (Saddhā) — Confidence in the Buddha, the Dhamma, the Sangha, and in the law of karma.
2. Generosity (Dāna) — Giving with a pure heart, offering material support to others.
3. Worthy Recipient (Dakkhiṇeyya-puggala) — Giving to those who are truly deserving, such as noble monks who live virtuously.

This is one of the most emotionally intense chapters in the Vessantara Jataka, highlighting the deep love and sacrifice within a family, and illustrating how karma and attachment perpetuate the cycle of rebirth.

🌱 Reflections and Teachings

• Parental love is profound and incomparable.
• True generosity often requires painful sacrifice, but it leads toward spiritual liberation.
• Every action carries karmic consequences—whether wholesome or unwholesome.
• Understanding others’ suffering is the beginning of compassion and wisdom

This is the eighth sermon in a series of Buddhist teachings, emphasizing the principle of “Apamada”—which means heedfulness or non-negligence. It’s considered one of the most vital virtues in Buddhist practice.

Gharavasa Dhamma refers to the ethical and spiritual principles that guide the lives of lay followers—those who are not ordained monks or nuns. These teachings help laypeople live harmoniously, cultivate virtue, and progress spiritually while engaging in worldly life.

The four core principles of Gharavasa Dhamma are:

1. Sacca (Truthfulness) – Being honest and sincere in speech and action.
2. Dama (Self-control) – Restraining harmful impulses, especially in speech and behavior.
3. Khanti (Patience) – Enduring difficulties calmly, without anger or frustration.
4. Cāga (Generosity) – Sharing resources, time, and compassion with others.

These values are often taught in sermons or recitations during traditional Thai Buddhist festivals, especially in the context of the Vessantara Jataka, where each chapter (กัณฑ์) conveys a moral lesson. Chapter 7 would be one of these, focusing on how laypeople can live ethically and meaningfully.