Wat Sangharatanaram

I’m not a Buddhist — I’m an Episcopalian — but a good many years ago I sat in the evening meditation in the Wat Sangharatanaram. Meditation was led by a young monk from Thailand. We conversed afterwards in fragments of Pali and hand jive.
I had the feeling that the Buddha had been by about half an hour ago, and if I’d just got there earlier I could have met him.

Despite the weather (Tornado Warning) I celebrated 2012 Songkran (Thai New Year) at Wat Sangharatanaram.
Driving to the temple was simple, although the old entrance gate off of SE 56^th was blocked. So I continued to Foster Rd and went North for a second and found the temple banquet hall.
There was a Thai /​Lao band playing traditional music. A Thai celebration wouldn’t be complete without some Thai food! Fortunately a group of Thais (restaurant owners and non-​restaurant owners) brought in food for sell. All of the proceeds went to the temple. Had I known I would’ve cooked some of my infamous east coast /​okie Thai grub!
If the weather had been cooperative the celebration would haven taken place outside the temple on the podium /​stage. Hopefully the weather during Loy Krathong will be friendlier.
The only negative I overheard was the sound of the music. Some families left early as the music was too loud for their children. Perhaps we could have a sound test before going live na khrap?!