Phrakru Buddhamonpricha, abbot of Wat Carolina, helped found the Bolivia, NC Buddhist temple with his family and support from monks in his homeland Thailand. Phrakru, who holds the honorary title of Chao Kun, leads a simple life based around teaching, chanting and meditating. Shane Huddleston, a 34-year-old American and 3-year resident of the temple, assists Phrakru in areas where his vows and rules limit him.

“Without him, I don’t know if this place would have got going.”

-Shane Huddleston