The temple not only serves the needs of the local and Thai communities, but has a outreach to all people who desire to acquire a greater knowledge of Buddhist philosophy and practice. The founding monk and patron of both temples was Most Venerable Phra Thammakhunaphon (secular name Luangpo Phaibun). Phra Thammakhunaphon founded both temples to serve both the Thai and Australian communities. He was
mindful of the fact that Buddhism, having been first established in India, has almost completely disappeared from the Indian sub-continent. He was motivated to assist the propagation of Buddhism in the West and was concerned that, in time, it would cease to be a major religion in Asia. Sadly, Phra Thammakhunaphon passed away on pilgrimage in India on the 25th December 2003. The beginnings in Brisbane started in 1987, when Phramaha Wanchai Phasuko and Phra Norman Dhammanusarano first arrived in Brisbane, with their driver, Lee Cahill. They found temporary accommodation in some rooms at a schoolware shop at 11a Gladstone Road, Highgate Hill. The premises were owned by devout Sri Lankan Buddhists, Sarath and Vinitha Chandra. After a short time and through the networking of the Sangha Trust, much interest was shown by the Thai, Lao, Cambodian, Burmese and Sri Lankan Buddhist communities, in possibly establishing a permanent Theravada Buddhist presence. At that time, there were very few Buddhist monks of any tradition in Brisbane. The Buddhist community approached the monks about staying permanently to help establish a temple. The request for monks to live in Brisbane permanently was conveyed to the abbot in Melbourne, who sought permission from the chief monk of the province of Kanchanaburi, Thailand, the Most Venerable Phra Thammakhunaphon. Phra Thammakhunaphon gave his permission and his support for the efforts to establish the temple in Brisbane, as he had previously done with the temple in Melbourne. The two monks returned to Brisbane and resided in the rooms under the shop in Highgate Hill. With the support of the Buddhist lay people, they started looking for more suitable accommodation. They subsequently rented a house at 26 Queenscroft Street, Chelmer, about 10 kilometres west of the central business district of Brisbane. This was to be their base while they continued to look for more permanent accommodation. In 1988 the Buddhist community purchased a property at 398 Waterford Road, Ellen Grove. This property was about 25 kilometres south of the central business district of Brisbane. The monks and community started the preparations to establish a proper temple, which would be named Wat Thai Buddharam. During this time, Phramaha Wanchai Phasuko returned to Brisbane on a temporary basis, which later became permanent after Phra Norman left for Thailand. From that point, Wat Thai Buddharam had two permanent monks: Phramaha Wanchai Phasuko and Chao Khun Chana. Sometime after taking up residence, the monks were informed that the land would be resumed for the construction of the Logan Motorway. In 1995, with the assistance of the council, the Buddhist community located a property at 1 -11 Paradise Road, Forestdale. Reassured that the property was relatively safe from redevelopment, they purchased it. When the Development Application for the construction of the sala was lodged, they were met with opposition from some of the Forestdale locals. The matter was ultimately resolved in the court, in favour of Wat Thai Buddharam. Part of the development approval meant that approximately two acres of temple land adjoining the creek bank was handed back to the Council. The plan approved by the court meant that construction of the sala could proceed and that future construction of the Ordination Hall could also proceed. Wat Thai Buddharam’s present Abbot, Phra Siphutthiwithet, first arrived at Wat Thai Buddharam in 2000. At that time he was known as Phramaha Chonlatish Chanhorm. He became Abbot in 2007 and was conferred the title of Phra Siphutthiwithet. Phra Siphutthiwithet is also an Australian citizen. The visionary plan for the Ordination Hall is Phra Siphutthiwithet’s creation. Its mclean and elegant modern lines borrow in part from the style of temple one would see in northern Thailand. The design has received much praise and support from the Logan City Council. Logan City Council supports a number of the projects and events held at Wat Thai Buddharam. The traditional, ornate temple fence, along the Paradise Road property boundary, was partially funded by Logan City Council. They also provide partial funding for the Songkran Festival, as does the Queensland Government’s Multicultural Queensland unit. Phra Siphutthiwithet would very much like Wat Thai Buddharam to be a fully functional Theravada Buddhist temple and monastery. This can not be achieved until the temple has an Ordination Hall. Without this hall, monks can not be ordained on site.
1987: The first Buddhist monks arrive in Brisbane on a temporary basis.
1987: Two monks permanently settle at Chelmer.
1988: The Ellen Grove property is purchased.
1991: Wat Thai Buddharam becomes an Incorporated Association (IA08393) on 24th January.
1995: The Forestdale property is purchased.
1999: Wat Thai Buddharam Inc. is assigned ABN 42 097 542 719 on 1st November.
2000: Phra Siphutthiwithet first arrives at Wat Thai Buddharam, Forestdale.
2000: Wat Thai Buddharam Inc is registered as a charity and receives income tax exemption on 1st July.
2000: The Wat Thai Buddharam Inc. Building Fund is granted Deductible Gift Recipient Status on 1st July.
2003: Wat Thai Buddharam Inc is registered for GST on 1st July.
2005: Wat Thai Buddharam Inc receives GST Concession and FBT Rebate on 1st July.
2007: Phra Siphutthiwithet becomes Abbot.
2012: Wat Thai Buddharam Inc is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission on 3rd December.
