Come to experience the Dhamma for yourself at Wat Dhammavihara Hawaii. We encourage you to practice mediation in a natural environment with experienced Thai Forest Monks of the Theravada Tradition. Dr. Dhammamuni established this meditation center to help anyone who is seeking to gain insightful mediation practices in order to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of reality.
Daily Schedule
4:00 AM Wake Up
4:30 AM Walking and Sitting Meditation
6:30 AM Morning Chanting/Loving-kindness Meditation
7:30 AM Breakfast
8:30 AM Mindful Cleaning/Walking
11:00 AM Lunch Break
1:00 PM Dhamma Talk/Dhamma Discussion
3:00 PM Walking and Sitting Meditation
4:30 PM Mindful Cleaning/Washing
6:30 PM Evening Chanting/Insight Meditation
9:00 PM Free Time
Biography: Abbot Dhammamuni Sutep Congprair, Ph.D
Abbot Dhammamuni Sutep Congprair (Thai: สุเทพ อาภากโร, surname จงแพร) is a Thai-born Theravāda monk who serves as the abbot of Wat Dhammavihara in Waianae, Hawaii. He was born on November 7, 1958. He pursued intensive Buddhist studies in Thailand, completing the highest levels of the Thai monastic education system. His credentials include the Nak Tham Aek (first-class Dhamma scholar), Prean 6 (sixth level of Pāli scripture examination), and a Bachelor’s degree in Buddhist Studies. The Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the USA (CTU) listing for Wat Dhammavihara Hawaii confirms he holds Pāli degree P.D.6. These qualifications reflect many years of study in Thailand before he relocated to Hawaii.
After his Thai education, he pursued higher studies abroad. He enrolled at the Nāgānanda International Institute of Buddhist Studies (NIIBS) in Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, where he completed doctoral research. His Ph.D. in Buddhist Studies was awarded in 2016, under the name Ven. Dhammamuni Phramaha Sutep Abhakaro (Congprair). The title of his dissertation was “The Concept of Truth: A Verifiable Approach through Meditation,” indicating a focus on Theravāda philosophy and meditation practice in his scholarship. This advanced degree (the “Ph.D.” in his title) underscores his status as a scholar-monk bridging Thai and international Buddhist learning.Major Dhamma Teachings and PublicationsAbbot Sutep is known for emphasizing meditation and Pāli-based Dhamma study in his teachings. His Ph.D. dissertation (2016) examined Buddhist concepts of truth through the lens of mindfulness meditation, suggesting that much of his teaching centers on vipassanā (insight) meditation and classical doctrine. In Thai-language sources and temple announcements, he often counsels lay practitioners on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (satipaṭṭhāna) and other core practices, though these teaching talks are chiefly recorded on local media and the temple’s social channels. No book-length publications are widely available in English, but his scholarly work is documented through academic channels (the NIIBS thesis) and his participation as adviser or examiner in Buddhist academic programs. (For example, CV records show he served as a Ph.D. examiner on related topics at Sri Lankan Buddhist institutes.) Overall, his contributions combine traditional Thai Buddhist pedagogy with academic research in Buddhist studies.Community and Leadership RolesSutep Congprair serves as a key leader of the Thai Buddhist community in Hawaii. He is the abbot of Wat Dhammavihara, Hawaii – a Thai Theravāda temple in Waianae – as listed in Thai Buddhist directories. (Wat Dhammavihara is temple number 38 in an official Thai-compiled directory, and its abbot is identified as “Ven. Phra Maha Sutep Aphakaro”.) According to the Open Sangha Foundation, he also functions as “executive chairman of the Thai monks,” indicating a leadership role among Thai monastics in the region. In December 2022, the Thai Sangha awarded him the monastic rank Phra Kru Sanya Bat (assistant royal-temple abbot) with the honorific title Phra Kru Sritattapanyawithet. These ranks reflect his seniority and service; the royal gazette confirms his promotion in late 2022.Within Hawaii’s Thai community, he likely collaborates with the Council of Thai Bhikkhus in the U.S.A. (สมัชชาสงฆ์ไทยในสหรัฐฯ), which lists Wat Dhammavihara under its auspices. The CTU site confirms his full title and Pāli credentials (P.D.6) at the Hawaiian temple.
He is often called Luang Ta Hawaii (Venerable Grandfather of Hawaii) by local devotees, reflecting his status as the senior Thai monk on Oʻahu. Through these leadership roles, he both maintains traditional Thai Buddhist practices and serves the spiritual needs of Thai and Buddhist residents of the islands.
Activities and Contributions in HawaiiUnder Abbot Sutep’s guidance, Wat Dhammavihara has become a major center for Thai Buddhism and meditation in Hawaii. The temple sits on a 5-acre site in Waianae; as a profile on the Open Sangha website notes, the grounds include seven kammakāna huts (small cottages) and ten retreat rooms for meditation practice, plus a pavilion chapel and accommodations for visiting monks. These facilities – designed “for quiet study and meditation” – suggest that Abbot Sutep helped develop the center into a permanent forest-monk style retreat site
(Wat Dhammavira of Hawaii | Open Sangha Foundation).
The temple regularly holds ceremonies and festivals following the Thai tradition (e.g. Songkran water blessings in April and Loi Krathong candle processions), though documentation of recent events is primarily on social media.In addition to organizing temple life, Abbot Sutep often travels between Thailand and Hawaii. For example, social media posts from 2024–2025 show him visiting meditation centers in Thailand (such as Dhammamuni Forest Center in Uttaradit) and returning to lead Dharma talks in Waianae. On one occasion he hosted a Buddha relic (พระบรมสารีริกธาตุ) at Wat Dhammavihara, indicating active ties with larger Theravāda networks. He also engages with the wider Buddhist community: the Open Sangha profile calls him “executive chairman of Thai monks” and notes he manages the temple property. In practice, his role involves teaching meditation, guiding temple governance, and liaising with Thai consular authorities and local interfaith groups. The temple’s address and contact (87-1109 Iliili Road, Waianae) are publicly listed for those interested in attending services or retreats.ConclusionAbbot Dhammamuni Sutep Congprair, Ph.D., is a Thai monk-scholars whose career spans academic achievement and community leadership. Trained extensively in Thailand and Sri Lanka (culminating in a 2016 Ph.D. on Buddhist meditation), he has applied his learning to serve Thai Buddhism abroad. As abbot of Wat Dhammavihara Hawaii since at least the early 2000s, he has overseen the development of a full-featured meditation center in Waianae. He was awarded the senior monastic title, Phra Kru Sribuddhipanyavides PhD, by his majesty King Rama X, in 2022. He is distinguished as a leader of Thai monks globally.
His tenure in Hawaii embodies a bridge between traditional Thai Theravāda practice and the multiethnic religious landscape of the islands. While largely focused on Thai-language teaching, his academic credentials and temple leadership contribute to cross-cultural Buddhist understanding in Hawaii.Recommendations for Further Study or EngagementFor those wishing to learn more about Abbot Sutep’s work, direct engagement with Wat Dhammavihara Hawaii is recommended. Interested readers can visit or contact the temple (87‑1109 Iliili Road, Waianae) – the center offers retreats and cultural events open to the public. His academic contributions (notably his Ph.D. dissertation) may be obtained through the Nāgānanda Institute archives in Sri Lanka. Tracking publications or recordings from Thai Buddhist networks (for example, announcements by the Council of Thai Bhikkhus in America) may yield Dharma talks or articles by him. Finally, participating in the temple’s annual Thai festivals (Songkran, Buddhist Holidays) or in Hawaii Vipassanā retreats would offer direct insight into the practices he leads.
Biography of Ratnajyoti Bhikkhu (Nirupam Chakma)
Early Life:
I was born on January 4, 1983, in Kamalanagar II, Chawngte, within the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), Lawngtlai, Mizoram, India. Growing up in a culturally rich environment, I developed an early interest in the teachings of the Buddha, which later shaped my life’s path. Having benefited from my uncle’s teachings as a buddhist monk, I was inspired to learn more about the Dhamma and the practices of the Buddha.
Monastic Journey:
I entered monastic life and received Bhikkhu Ordination (Upasampadā) on February 25, 2011, at the IMC Sima, Buddhagaya, India. This marked a significant turning point in my spiritual journey, as I dedicated myself fully to the practice and propagation of the Dhamma. I have given Dhamma talks, lectures and paritta protective chanting to various communities around the world. Many of the devotees gain benefit from the teachings and the spiritual progress that occurs as a result of the monastic practices that are given.
Education and Training:
2009: Learned basic Buddhism and undertook Bhikkhu training and Dhammaduta training at Mahabodhi Monastic Institute, Mahabodhi Society, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru, India.
2011: Diploma in Buddhist Studies and Vipassanā from the University of Mumbai
2011: Pali Language and Literature eUniversity of Mumbai
2012: Diploma in Pali from the University of Mumbai
2012: Diploma in Buddhist Studies
2015: Master’s in Buddhist Studies from International Buddhist College (IBC), Thailand.
2022: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Buddhist Studies at International Buddhist Studies College (IBSC), Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU), Thailand.
2025: Master of Buddhist Counselling (MBC) from the University of Hong Kong.
Meditation Practice:
Throughout my academic and monastic life, I devoted time to intensive meditation practice during vacations at renowned centers. This is where I was able to build the foundations of my practice for my spiritual journey. I was fortunate to be able to sustain my practice for long periods of time. The daily interaction with the meditation masters helped guide me to progress my practices.
While practicing at Dhammagiri, Igatpuri, India, I was able to learn mindfulness of breathing (Ānāpānasati) and the contemplation of feelings (Vedanānupassanā).
In 2015, at the Pa-Auk Forest Meditation Center, Myanmar, I was able to continue my practice based on the Visuddhimagga, the path of purifications.
I was privileged to learn the technique based on the Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna method at the International Vipassanā Meditation Center, Chiang Mai, Thailand in 2014. I returned to refresh my practice in 2020. While I was completing my PhD (2015-2022) at Mahachulalonkornrajavidyalaya University, I was encouraged to continue to practice the same method. The method combines mindful walking and sitting meditation. The method encourages a practical approach to mindfulness in all aspects of daily life for deep insight. I was able to learn a variety of body scanning and focal point techniques. By focusing on the five aggregates (Nāmarūpa) and impermanence, suffering and non-self, I have been able to cultivate a deeper insight practice.
