From Thailand to Gautier, monk transforms suburban home into temple for Coast Buddhists
Isabelle Taft, The Sun Herald
Apr. 13—Pisit Opnititanit left Thailand and eventually found his way to a few acres of land next to a cow pasture on Martin Bluff Road in Gautier.
The Buddhist monk could have stayed in his home country, where 95 percent of people practice Theravada Buddhism. Instead, his devotion led him to the Mississippi Gulf Coast by way of New Orleans.
Since Wat Buddhametta Mahabaramee opened in July 2016, Opnititanit and fellow monks and volunteers have transformed a typical suburban home, adding gabled tile roofs in the traditional style and an intricately carved wooden porch. A sign outside advertises the Sunday sales of Thai food, which is how most of Wat Buddhametta's non-Buddhist neighbors get to know the place.