A Peaceful Mind

A Peaceful Mind
A Peaceful Mind

Friday, February 17, 2012

Wat Dhammakaya - BBC NEWS



The Dhammakāya Movement is a Buddhist movement founded in 1916 by the Thai meditation master Phra Mongkolthepmuni (1885-1959) - the late abbot of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, Thonburi. The movement is primarily represented today by its non-profit foundation, the Dhammakaya Foundation, and the Wat Phra Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand.

It has many doctrinal elements to distinguish it from conventional Theravāda Buddhism and in some respects resembles schools of Mahāyāna Buddhism. The Dhammakāya school of meditation is marked by its literal interpretation of Buddhist technical terms, (including the term dhammakāya) in their physical meaning, as described by Phra Mongkolthepmuni. Many sermons of Phra Mongkolthepmuni himself can be traced back to some schools of meditation in Southeast Asia preserved only in ancient meditation manuals.

Following the death of Phra Monkolthepmuni, the Foundation's work was continued by his disciple, Khun Yay Mahā Ratana Upāsikā Chandra Khonnokyoong. In 1970, a temple, called Wat Phra Dhammakaya, was constructed as a home for the movement. Located in Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani Province, the temple was intended to become an international center for the study of meditation.

The Dhammakaya Foundation, under the leadership of Ven. Phra Rajbhavanavisudh, better known as Luang Phor Dhammajayo, President of the Foundation, has set the goal to create world peace for all mankind by developing a peaceful mind in every individual. In fact, world peace is a result of a peaceful and purified mind of all. Therefore, we need a place to facilitate people in their search for spiritual fulfillment and the kind of happiness that is independent of material things and circumstances.

The World Dhammakaya Centre (WDC.) is a Buddhist parkland and sanctuary. It was started in 1985 by Phra Rajbhavanavisudh and Khun Yay. The centre covers 1000 acres (4 km²). In the area there are six main landmarks:

(1) The Memorial Hall of Phra Monkolthepmuni: This circular domed building was built in 2002 in honor of Phra Mongkolthepmuni. At present it houses an exhibition and a golden statue of that monk. The building is open to visitors and pilgrims.

(2) The Great Sapha Dhammakaya Hall: This hangar-like construction built in 1997 is a multi-functional two-storey building is used for meditation, Buddhist lectures and ceremonies, youth training courses and monastic conferences. The upper level has been designed to accommodate 150,000 people and the lower level is used primarily for parking but can be used as seating capacity for an additional 150,000 people if necessary.

(3) The Dhammakaya Cetiya is a symbol of world peace through inner peace. Built entirely on international public contributions, it is also the embodiment of unity and love for mankind. The dome-shaped Cetiya (stupa) is the hallmark of what has become the largest venue for mass meditation and prayers for Buddhists and peace-loving people of the world.

(4) The Grand Meditation Amphitheatre is the name of a two-storey cloister built to accommodate monks, novices and peace-loving people from around the world to meditate and pray for the happiness of fellow human beings regardless of race, nationality, faith and religion.

(5) Named after the founder of the Dhammakaya Temple, the Dining Hall of Khun Yay can seat up to 6,000 monks. Everyday, lay people come to enjoy offering food and refreshments to more than 1,200 monks and novices who reside at this temple.

(6) The Memorial Hall of Khun Yay: This hexagonal pyramid-shaped chapel was built in 2002. It is made of gold-tinted plate glass. It is a two-storey structure. The lower floor is a museum with an exhibition telling the biography of Khun Yay, the nun who founded Wat Phra Dhammakaya. The upper floor houses a golden image of the nun.

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