Uncovering The Surprising Presence Of Buddhism In Amarillo, Texas

Driving through Amarillo, Texas recently, I came across something I hadn't noticed before. The massive golden arch stood out like a sore thumb against the Texas panhandle sky. With a few minutes to spare and a curiosity that wouldn't quit, I decided to get out and investigate. It turns out I had stumbled upon one of Amarillo's many Buddhist temples.

Yes, There Are Several Buddhist Temples In Amarillo, Texas

A quick search on Google provides information on at least five Buddhist temples in Amarillo, Texas. That's five more than I would imagine most people would guess. In a city most widely thought of as a "cowboy town," you don't immediately think of it as being a melting pot of cultures and religions.

However, Amarillo is exactly that. There are many cultures and religions with representation here.

I Found Myself At The Wat Lao Buddharam In Amarillo, Texas

I stepped through the arch and I was a little awe-struck. It was peaceful, calm, and beautiful. I wish I had taken some time to find a way to sit and embrace that calm.

After getting back to the office, I tried to find out more about the Wat Lao Buddharam. Unfortunately, that wasn't as easy as I had originally hoped it would be. The Facebook page I was able to find hadn't been updated in years.

When I tried going to the website that was listed, I ran into another roadblock. The website is either experiencing some kind of technical difficulty or it simply no longer exists.

I was able to come across some reviews and blogs written about trips made to the Wat Lao Buddharam. Most of them spoke highly of the Wat Lao Buddharam in Amarillo, Texas, and gave insight on some of the best ways to learn more. Spoiler alert, you'll probably need to make a phone call or make a trip to find out more.