THE JOURNEY OF DHAMMACAKRATRA (DCT)

Indonesian Buddhist Community in Los Angeles, CA

First Service

We held our first service on December 30, 2000, attended by several families.

Plan to Form a Buddhist Organization

The next service was held on Saturday, February 10, 2001. After the service, we planned to hold puja (devotional services) once a month on the second Saturday.

During the March 2001 service, we began planning to form an Indonesian Buddhist organization. Finally, on April 14, 2001, during the service, we held a vote to determine the organization’s name and establish its leadership.

The name “Kalyana Metta” was selected through voting.

First leadership structure:

• President: Senahadi Wirantana

• Vice President: Djuned Jahja

• Treasurer: Simuntarya Ang

Kalyana Metta held its first Vesak celebration on May 12, 2001.

THE BIRTH OF DHAMMACAKRATRA (DCT)

On June 13, 2001, Venerable Bhante Sukhemo from Dhammacakka Jaya Temple, Sunter, Jakarta, visited Kalyana Metta. At the same time, Venerable Bhante Sombat was attending the Theravada Dhammayut Sangha meeting across America at Wat Padhammachart in La Puente.

During this auspicious occasion, with members of the Sangha present, we took the opportunity to seek advice from Venerable Bhante Sombat regarding the newly formed organization’s name. As part of this offering, we presented five sets of robes to five monks:

Venerable Bhante Sombat, Bhante Swirayan, Bhante Dhammapravedi, Bhante Sukhemo, and Bhante Phui.

At the end of June, after Bhante Sombat returned to his kuti in North Carolina, he graciously gave a new name:

👉 “DhammaCakraTra”

Meaning: “The Foundation of the Turning Wheel of Dhamma”

This marked the birth of the name DCT in June 2001.

• April 13, 2004: DCT became a registered organization in California

• Two years later: Approved by the IRS as a nonprofit organization

DEVELOPMENT OF DCT

Since holding services once a month was considered insufficient, starting in September 2001, services were increased to twice a month:

• Second Saturday

• Fourth Sunday

The DCT committee continues to strive to enhance Dhamma knowledge and spiritual development for devotees and supporters through various activities, including:

• Regular services

• Buddhist holy day celebrations

• Paritta chanting

• Dhammapada study

• Dhamma discussions

• Children’s and youth Dhamma classes

• Social activities

STRUGGLE TO OBTAIN A TEMPLE

2000–2009: Wat Buddhanimit & Wat Padhammachart

Initially, services were held by borrowing Thai temples.

2009–2013: 15762 Amar St, La Puente

The community and committee aspired to have their own place of worship. With limited funds and community contributions, a small residential house was purchased and converted into a temple.

Challenges:

• The property was not zoned for religious use

• DCT, as a nonprofit, could not obtain a bank loan

• Ms. Metta Surya kindly lent her name to secure the loan

Due to limited space:

• The garage was converted into a prayer hall

However:

• Zoning issues and limited parking led to complaints from neighbors

• After receiving warnings from the city, the property had to be sold

2013–2022: 123 E. Locust St, Ontario

Learning from past experience, DCT purchased a new house on October 25, 2013, with better parking.

Again:

• Ms. Metta Surya helped secure the loan

DCT launched:

• Community loan programs

• Fundraising initiatives

Result:

• The mortgage was fully paid off

• On August 17, 2015, ownership was transferred to DCT

However:

❌ Despite years of effort, official permits to operate as a temple were not granted.

2022–Present: 8137 & 8184 E. 9th St, Rancho Cucamonga

Following proposals from the committee and community, on February 4, 2022, DCT purchased a former inactive place of worship in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

This purchase was made possible through:

• Donations

• Community loans

Venerable Bhikkhu Jayamedho attended the key handover ceremony and performed:

• Paritta chanting

• Blessing of the new building

Today:

• DCT has a proper temple with ample parking

• Official approval to conduct public services

Additional milestone:

• On February 13, 2024, DCT completed the purchase of a nearby house to serve as a kuti (monks’ residence), located less than 100 meters from the temple

• This was funded through the sale of the Locust Street property