Constructed on 35 acres (140,000 m2) previously occupied by a farm, it opened its doors to the public in June 2014.

[1] The temple was designed by architect Been Z. Wang and features limestone from Jerusalem, concrete panels from Canada, Italian roofing tiles from Italy, and statues and light ornaments from Thailand.

[1] The temple can hold 700 people in the main worship space, and includes community rooms and lodging for monks and visitors, and a museum dedicated to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

[2] The temple was named Wat Nawamin in honor of King Rama IX of Thailand, who was born on December 5, 1927 near Boston, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA (at the Mount Auburn Hospital).

[citation needed] The temple is considered to be the largest Thai Buddhist meditation center outside Thailand.