Houston Buddhist Vihara was founded in August 1988 by two prominent Buddhist monks, Ven. Pannila Ananda and Ven. Walpola Piyananda, who also established the Dhamma Vijaya Buddhist Vihara in Los Angeles, California in 1975. The original land and building of the Houston Buddhist Vihara were donated by philanthropists Dr. Bandula Wijay and Shanthini Wijay.

The adjacent land was purchased in 1996 with the financial assistance of Dr. Upali Weerasooriya family in Austin, Texas. Over the years the Vihara purchased two more adjacent lands, thus expanding the premises for further constructions.

In 1998, foundation was laid for the main shrine hall and the Dana Sala (dining hall). The new buildings were ceremoniously opened during Vesak 2000. During the next few years, a Stupa was constructed, a Bodi tree was planted with space for puja, and a decorative iron fence was built around the property.

Construction of the new residence for monks began in May 2016 with the donations provided by the Vihara members and the directors. It was completed and opened in August 2016. Funded by Mr. & Mrs. Lionel and Swarna Silva family, a porch was added to the building in May 2017.

Landscaping around the new Avasa was completed and a walkway between the shrine Hall and the new Avasa was constructed in May 2017 with the donations provided by Valentine and Ashoka Kao family.

In 2018, the Vihara expects to complete the following three projects:

Attanagalla Rajamaha Viharaya, the head temple of the Vihara, is one of the most famous ancient royal temples in Sri Lanka.  This temple is situated in the Western Province, Sri Lanka, 28 miles northeast of Colombo, the capital city of the country.

The uniqueness of Attanagall Rajamaha Viharaya lies in the fact that it is the only ancient temple historically recognized as the place where a Bodhisatva (a future Buddha ) fulfilled his Dana Paramita (one of the ten perfections to be completed by a Bodhisatva to become a Buddha, an Awakened One).  According to the Chronicle of Attanagalla Vihara, he sacrificed his life by giving his head in gratitude for a favor he received from a poor and ordinary countryman.  Known by the name of King Sri Sangabo (247-249 A.D.), he was recognized in the chronicles and other ancient literature of Sri Lanka as the most pious Buddhist king in Sri Lankan history.

After the King Sri Sangabo, his brother Gothabhaya (249-262 A.D.) became the king of the country and built a Stupa (Pagoda) at the place where his brother made the supreme sacrifice.  Ever since, numerous kings constructed various new buildings at the place and developed it as a major place of worship.

Ven. Dr. Pannila Ananda Nayaka Thero is the present high priest and chief incumbent of Attanagall Royal Temple. The temple achieved remarkable progress under his leadership.