Phramaha Bancha Temprom Ethnic Composition: Mostly Thai, Laos, Cambodian with a growing non-Thai/Laos/Cambodian population Resident Monks: Ven.

Tradition: Theravada Wat Buddhanannachat in Del Valle is uncontested for the title of the first Asian temple in the area.

A sizable community of Thais, as well as Cambodians and Laotians, desired a center for traditional Buddhist practice as well as ceremonies such as weddings and funeral rites.

So, in 1986, a farm site was purchased and arrangements were made with the Council of Thai Bhikkhus to have monks sent to Del Valle to found the Wat Buddhanannachat of Austin Temple.

Wat Buddhananachat also has a large pond adjacent to the temple, allowing people to place there paper-crafted lotus's in the water during 'Loy Krathong'.

There is also a Miss Loy Krathong pageant held every year where one young girl is crowned the winner based on the number of tickets given to her by attendees of the festival.

Every year towards the end of May Visakha Puja is celebrated to honor when the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and achieved parinirvana, which all according to tradition occurred on the same days.

Towards the end of the celebration, the monks, temporarily ordained nuns and lay people around the temple 3 times in order to commemorate the 3 significant events in the Buddha's life: Birth, Enlightenment and Parinirvana.

During the day, this space is used by the lay community to sell fresh produce and delicacies such as Thai soup, noodles, and fried bananas.