Ven. Boonchuay Tongtae

Boonchuay Tongtae was born in rural Thailand in the 1965 to Kham Thanh and Dr. Mai. The fourth of nine children, he completed middle school before being sent to a monastery as a novice to study Buddhism. Financial hardship was a constant challenge; with his parents unable to cover tuition fees, Boonchuay Tongtae struggled to find work to support his family.

When his mother passed away when he was 20, Boonchuay Tongtae returned home to help with the family farm. In line with Buddhist tradition and to honor his parents, he resolved to express his gratitude by becoming an ordained monk. At 25, he reentered monastic life and eventually graduated from Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU).

Boonchuay Tongtae was invited to deepen his studies under the guidance of his master, (name) leading him to travel to the United States, where he became a citizen in 2002 and continued to serve both laypeople and monastics in Russia, New York.

Dedicated to the Buddha’s teachings and his master’s guidance, Boonchuay Tongtae moved to Central Florida and served at Wat Navaram Buddhist Temple for 14 years. Following his years of service in Sanford, Florida, he became the Abbot of Watpa Bodhiyana, where he passionately supports people on their journey toward clarity and peace, sharing the Dharma with all who seek its wisdom.

Ven. Shantideva

Venerable Shantideva, originally from Nepal, was ordained in Lumbini alongside 13 others under the guidance of Bhikkhu Maitri. In 2004, he was sent to Sri Lanka, where he received foundational spiritual training that cultivated his discipline, responsibility, and commitment to embodying the Buddha’s teachings.

Shantideva pursued extensive academic and monastic studies, gaining proficiency in Pali, Sanskrit, and Sinhalese. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Buddhism from the University of Sri Lanka and later a Master’s in Religious Studies from the University of Chicago.

As a resident monk at Watpa Bodhiyana, Shantideva is a compassionate figure devoted to the Dhamma and Buddhist meditation. He is guided by values of peace, humility, and a deep commitment to serving others with empathy and compassion.

Ven. Montri Wattano

Ven. Montri Wattano was born in 1971 in Thailand. Drawn to the beauty and profound purpose of monastic life, he pursued Buddhist studies at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU), where he focused on Buddhism with an additional emphasis on Pali and the Tipitaka. He earned his Bachelor’s degree and was ordained at age 22 at Wat Chakrawatrachawad University Temple in Bangkok. In recognition of his dedication, the King of Thailand awarded Ven. Montri Wattano the honorary title of Pramaha.

Ven. Montri Wattano served various communities and temples as a monk before ultimately relocating to Dhammaram Temple in Chicago. He taught Pali and the Tripitaka there to students, laypeople, and fellow monks. He continues to travel to California, sharing the benefits of meditation and Pali studies. He remains deeply committed to supporting the Buddhist community and inspiring those interested in meditation practices.