序言
法身寺是泰国最大的寺院，创寺到现在四十多年，现在已经进入快速扩展的时期。大量的信徒久闻大名，首次有机会走进法身寺。当他们进入后，就想更多的了解这
处佛教圣地。本文将从各方面指引我们了解法身寺，包括寺院的历史、导师的事迹和心愿、建寺的构想、寺院的建筑、各种计划和荣获的奖项等等。
本文所描述的情况截止于 2010年4月22日
至今，法身寺经历了40个春秋，致力于弘扬佛教和法身法门，为世人带来和平幸福。
回顾之前，法身寺只是一片荒田，一望无际，没有一棵树或任何一座建筑物。荒地上只见阳光照耀着，灿烂夺目。夜晚来临，只有遍布天际的星光。
在1970年2月20号的万佛节，信仰佛教的团体，包括帕法胜法师（拉差帕哇那威素．探玛才优住持）戒腊满一年，大宝优婆夷詹老奶奶（当时61岁）和她的徒弟们，齐心协力开始兴建寺院。土地来自巴雅女士（Prayad
Phaetayapongsa-
Visudhadhibodi）捐赠的196亩，「佛轮修行中心」的兴建获得政府批准后，在1981年4月29日改名「法身寺」。
开始兴建寺院的时候，詹老奶奶只有3200泰铢的功德金，几乎是空着一双手兴建寺院。那时有一位弟子问她：「我们只有这么一点微薄的基金，怎么样才能把寺
院建成？」詹老奶奶反问：「如果我们要培养一个有道德，愿意奉献生命给佛教的好人，那要花多少钱？」那位弟子回答道：「用1亿泰铢也不一定能培养出那样的
一个人。」所以詹老奶奶就说：「现在我的面前有11位像你们那样的好人，代表我拥有的功德金，不比11亿少，我一定能建好寺院。」
弘教的土地和团体到齐后，寻找建寺功德金的法务开始排日程。师父写书寻找前世共修的大德再来修功德，许愿他们有机会读到《往幸福的大道迈进》这一本书。在书籍出版发行后，开始有信众前来护持，一些大德也以邮寄的方式捐款，使得詹老奶奶和师父们有善款建寺。
团体的首项成果就是在寺院周围挖护城河，代表寺院的地标，给居士建寺的信心。
建寺初期，非常艰苦，缺钱缺人，唯一拥有的只是坚强的信心。那时候，师父们吃的饭菜只有辣椒酱与田里收割的空心菜和罗氏田青花。
1975年，首座禅堂–四天王天禅堂落成。这座禅堂主要用来接待入寺静坐修行的信众。信众从静坐中获得快乐之后，渐渐邀请更多的人来静坐，以至于禅堂不够用，要坐到树下，有时候还有日晒和雨淋。
为了让信众有足够的地方静坐，法身寺才修建国际法身茅草禅堂。之后几年，来静坐的人又比原先多了好几倍。为了接待前来静坐的信众，法身寺继续修建国际法身堂和大僧座宝墙。法身寺依据「低成本、效期长、耐力高」的原则，修建寺内的各处禅堂，满足信众修行需要。
当每棵树苗种到土里、基桩打入地里的时候，佛法同时种到人们的心中。遵循「修建好寺院，培养好僧人，培养好人」的想法，法身寺开荒山得美果。
细数从前…
WAT PHRA DHAMMAKAYA
From no land to a large tract of land
From fallow fields to a graceful Buddhist temple
From 1 Bhikku to tens to hundreds to a thousand and increasing
From 100 laypeople to 1,000, 10,000, 100,000 and 1 million in the future
从无地无产，如今园林千里。
从荒芜不毛地，今是佛教圣地，庄严壮丽。
从仅有一名比丘，倍增十名，百名，千名。
从仅百名信众，逐增一千，一万，十万，乃至百万。
Four decades have gone past since Wat Phra Dhammakaya was founded. Wat Phra Dhammakaya’s aim has always been to propagate Buddhism and Vijja Dhammakaya, which is the source of humanity’s peace and happiness.
法身寺建寺至今历经四十多个春秋，宗旨致力于弘扬佛教与习修法身法门，祈愿为世人带来 和平、幸福。
In the beginning, there were only extensive fields under the hot รนท with no trees or buildings. And at night, there was only the star-filled sky.
回顾建寺之初，法身寺原址仅是一片荒野禾田，放眼看去全景空荡荡，树没一棵，茅屋一间 亦无。空旷荒地上总顶着炙热耀目的大太阳，然而夜幕之下，点点繁星布满夜空，闪烁着钻石般 的柔光，呈现一片宁静祥和的氛围。
On Magha Puja Day, February 20, 1970 (2513 B.E.), Phrathepyanmahamuni (Luang Por Dhammajayo, who had just spent a year in the monkhood), Master Nun Chand Khonnokyoong (61 years old), and their followers came together to commence the construction of a meditation center. The land for the meditation center covered 196 rai (78.4 acres) and was donated by Lady Prayad Pattayapongsavisuttatibodi. The meditation center became Wat Phra Dhammakaya on April 29, 1981 (2524 B.E.).
1970年2月20日万佛节平安灯会之日，法身寺举行了动土仪式。参与者皆是信仰佛教的团体， 主持仪式的是戒腊一年余的法胜法师，另有大宝优婆夷詹老奶奶（当年61岁）和弟子们。大家齐 心协力兴建寺院，原先196泰亩土地捐赠自巴雅女士Prayad Phaetayapongsa- Visudhadhibodi。获得政 府批准后建立「佛轮修行中心」，1981年4月29日则更名「法身寺」。
At the start of the construction, Master Nun Chand Khonnokyoong had just 3,200 baht. This was no different from starting with nothing at all. One of her followers asked, “How can we build a temple with this small sum of money?” Master Nun Chand Khonnokyoong or more frequently referred to as Khun Yai said, “If we were to teach a person to be good, decent, and devoted to Buddhism, how much would it cost?” This follower answered, “I am not sure if 100 million baht would be enough.” Khun Yai said, “Well then, right now I have in front of me 11 such individuals. It means that I have now at my disposal no less than 1 billion baht so I have no doubt that I will be able to get this temple built.”
建寺院之初，詹老奶奶全部身家财产仅只3，200泰铢功德金，故寺院的建立 w J几乎始于零。曾有弟子问：「我们仅有这么微薄的钱，怎能建成寺院？」詹 老奶奶反问说：r如果我们要培养一名有道德品行，愿意奉献生命给佛教的善好人， 要花多少钱？」那弟子答道：「即便1亿泰铢也未必能培养出那样的人。」詹老奶奶 说：「对啊！我跟前就有十一位像你们这样的善好人，正是我已拥有功德金绝不少于 十一亿！我一定能成功建好寺院。」
At the same time that the construction was going on, the Buddha’s Teachings were being taught to the people according to the concept, “Build a real temple. Teach the monks to be righteous monks. Develop good and decent people.”
Every bit of land, every building, every merit-making activity, and every good thing that has ever come out of this temple are not the work of any one individual, but they are the collective work of dedicated monks, novices, and laypeople. The founding team members of the temple had to have possessed extraordinary vision, unshakable faith, persistence, and patience to be able to realize the dream of building the kind of temple that Wat Phra Dhammakaya is today.
遵循「建设优良寺院，培养优秀僧人，培育善良之人」的宗旨，让法身寺开拓荒野， 历尽艰辛阻难，终得甘美果实。当每棵树苗种到土里、基桩打入地里的时候，佛法也 在同一时间种到人们的心中。在法身寺诞生的每一样东西，每一座建筑，每一场功德 法会，每一件好事，都不是个人的功劳，是僧团，沙弥和虔诚信众的功劳。他们众志 成城、团结合作，一次又一次地度过大大小小的暴风雨。法身团体依靠坚定的信仰， 克勤克俭，忍饥耐饿，建寺的梦想，成为眼前灿烂的美景。
It was our two great Masters aspiration that gave birth to Wat Phra Dhammakaya: Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro) or Luang Pu Wat Paknam, the Discoverer of Vijja Dhammakaya, and Master Nun Chand Khonnokyoong or Khun Yai, the founder of Wat Phra Dhammakaya. Luang Pu, Khun Yai, Phrathepyanmahamuni (Luang Por Dhammajayo), Abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, and Phrabhavanaviriyakhun (Luang Por Dattajeevo), Vice-Abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, share the same wish to spread the Buddha’s Teachings to every comer of the world so that humanity can know lasting inner peace and world peace.
导师
法身寺的起源来自于两位导 师的伟大的意愿，他们是法身 法门发现者-北榄寺帕蒙昆帖牟 尼祖师（湛塔萨罗）和法身寺 创办人_大宝优婆夷詹.孔诺 雍老奶奶，其中包括法身寺住 持法胜法师和副住持-施命法师 的希望，把佛法传播到所有人 的心中，给世界创造真正的和
Building the Temple According to the Lord Buddha’ร Instruction
Luang Por Dhammajayo, Khun Yai, and their followers have worked very hard together to build Wat Phra Dhammakaya according to the concept, “Build a real temple. Train the monks to be righteous monks. Develop good and decent people.” This concept was derived from the Buddha’s Teachings on Patiru-padesa-4: How to build the kind of quality temple that can attract people to come and practice the Dhamma at the temple for their own benefit, for the good of the general public, and for Buddhism’s growth.
胜法师，詹老奶奶和诸位弟子本着「建设优良寺院，培养优秀僧人，培育善良之人」的宗旨，众人心连心，携手并肩共艰苦，合 力创建法身寺。遵守着佛陀「四舒适法」的原则，建立一座真正利益广大民众的寺院，指引民众来寺院静坐修行。这不仅个人与 团体皆受益，也促进佛教佛法的兴盛与繁荣。
Patirupadesa-4 as Applied to Wat Phra Dhammakaya:
1. The Temple: The grounds of Wat Phra Dhammakaya are beautiful, cool, pleasant, clean, and tidy. It is a place that makes people feel comfortable and relaxed.
2. Food: Wat Phra Dhammakaya’s refectory prepares food for everyone attending the temple and serves it to them in a speedy fashion. The refectory staff also tends with care and respect to the food offered to the monks by the laypeople.
3. People: Wat Phra Dhammakaya’s personnel are well-trained, courteous, friendly, and service-minded. They study the Dhamma and practice meditation regularly. They are the model of goodness and decency.
4. Dhamma: When people attend Wat Phra Dhammakaya, they must not return home empty-handed in that they must have the opportunity to study the Dhamma in such a way that they can apply it in their daily life. Wat Phra Dhammakaya also offers morality training courses for the personnel of government offices and educational institutions as well as the general public.
「四舒适法」如下：
1、寺院舒适：寺院环境整理得舒适雅致，照料得秩序井然，干净亮眼，让人一见即感心旷神怡。
2、饮食舒适：设建食堂，为寺众提供餐饮，周到的服务与设想，处处方便，让居士们来寺而无后顾之忧。即便盛钵的食物也帮 助准备好。与此同时，也让居士们学习自爱自重，爱惜寺内食物和物资。
3、人员舒适：培育寺内僧俗成员待人接物时，和蔼谦虚，言行得体，品性良好，勤于学习佛法和静坐修行，成为他人好榜样， 也让每位来寺的信众留下好印象。
4、佛法舒适：民众既到寺院来，就不该入宜山空手回，此处可认识和学些佛法，运用于日常生活中，必将终生受益。尚且也协 助政府机构、大专学府与民间组织进行道德培训。
Any temple built with the Buddha’s instruction in mind plays an important role in attracting more and more people to the temple. It is for this reason that an ever increasing number of people are coming to practice the Dhamma at Wat Phra Dhammakaya. It just goes to show how a large number of people do want to attend the temple to practice the Dhamma. It remains for each temple to be well-maintained, clean, cool, pleasant, and equipped with well-trained and quality personnel. And last but not least, each temple must develop modern methods for propagating the Dhamma so that it can fulfill its role of teaching the Dhamma to the people.
按照佛陀的开示而设定建寺原则，让信众来寺后法喜充满，寺院名声传扬开来，因此来寺静坐修行的人次也逐渐增长。由此可见，还 有很多人为寻获心灵资粮而需要到寺院来修行。寺院乃应合信众的需求而建，管理得恰当，应合时代潮流是成功的要素。作为佛教圣地，理 当维持场地舒适整洁，培育僧俗成员具备佛学智慧与内涵，协助弘扬佛法，广施佛法的甘泽于大众，加以感化作有德行之人。
Building a Great Temple through the Power of Faith
The size of Wat Phra Dhammakaya went from 196 rai (78.4 acres) to 2,000 rai (800 acres) in 1984 (2527 B.E.) because Luang Por Dham-majayo wanted the temple to be large enough for all the work that it planned to do in the future. The propagation of Buddhism to every comer of the world can benefit everyone in Thailand and the entire world. The expansion of Wat Phra Dhammakaya and all of its work have been supported physically and financially by the laypeople who understand the need for the increasing size of the temple.
于法务拓展迅速，蒸蒸曰上，196泰亩的土地显得狭窄，不敷所需，法胜法师逐渐想把土地扩展为2，000泰亩，才 WW能扩展未来的法务，迎接蜂拥而至的信徒，复兴佛教，带动泰国社会的繁荣昌盛。法胜法师的理想得到居士大 德人力、信心和财力的支持，他们预见法身寺蓬勃的远景。
法身寺扩增土地面积，修建大禅堂，皆为方便接待世界各地善信大德。因此，主体建筑颇多是边建边用。目前每一 法会上，前来参与共修的信众，人次已达数十万，展望未来将有更多善信，同众共修功德。
建设法身寺的资金皆来自虔诚、正信佛教徒的供奉，节约是场地修建和维护的基本原则，实材的运用也依据低成 本，但也得经久耐用，处处发挥出最实惠的经济效益。
寺院僧俗成员和信众皆励志奉献，一心护持寺院，人人一如寺院主人，真诚细心地照料和保护佛教圣地与物资，让 寺院建筑皆能发挥至最大效益，以及每位善信同来共修也能获得圆满的功德。
As a result, Wat Phra Dhammakaya can now accommodate hundreds of thousands of people or more who are now coming and will come in the future to practice the Dhamma at Wat Phra Dhammakaya.
^身寺创立至今已有四十余年，目前还在建设中。立寺首要任务在于培训僧俗成员，即是培养素质良好的比丘，继 承佛教大业。法身寺也举办各种道德培训的活动，撒播道德种子于人心。寺院一切的法务行政与动态全皆依循创 寺准则进行，即是「建设优良寺院，培养优秀僧人，培育善良之人」。
Since every baht spent on building Wat Phra Dhammakaya is donated by the laypeople, everything having to do with the construction and maintenance of every part of the temple must be based on the principle, “Lowest cost, highest usage, and durability.” It means that only necessary structures are built and once they were built they must be utilized to the fullest extent. They must be durable. They must be easy and economical to maintain. Temple personnel and temple goers alike are taught to feel a sense of ownership in the temple such that everyone can help take good care of everything in the temple. This way, donors can reap the maximum merit from their donations.
法身寺立愿弘扬佛法到海外，因此全球各地颇多分院，配合当地需求而扩展多元化的佛法活动，让世人简易学习佛 陀的佛法，了解静坐方法，以及生命的真正意义和目的——修功德，修波罗蜜。这些活动协助世人扩展生命，了解心灵的 价值，振兴世界道德，也成为众人获得真正和平的泉源。
法身寺创建四十多年的主要活动如下：
The Temple’s Achievements to Date
During the past 40 years, Wat Phra Dhammakaya has not only built necessary structures but also developed people. It has cultivated righteous monks to perpetuate Buddhism. It has instilled morality in people of every age and gender. It has extended some projects to different countries to help propagate Buddhism there. These undertakings give the people in these countries the opportunities to study the Buddha’s Teachings and practice meditation. At the same time, they learn about the true objective of human life in that everyone is here to accumulate merit and pursue Perfections. Practicing the Buddha’s Teachings increases the quality of life. It is also the way to revive world morality.
元旦托钵头陀行
、vj^身寺每年元旦曰之前，都会举办3-5天头陀活动，众善信到寺院住宿修行，积累功德。为迎接新一年的 开始作准备。元旦日大清早一开始即可修大布施波罗蜜，向上万名比丘僧团供养盛钵活动。善众当天全
曰守持八戒，修行静坐，净化身口意，让生命始自新年吉祥如意。
全国十万人短期出家
New Year’s Day Food Offering and Year-End Dhutanga
About 3-5 days before each year-end, Buddhists everywhere come to undertake Dhutanga and usher in the new year at Wat Phra Dhammakaya. In the first morning of the new year, they offer food to more than 10,000 venerable monks, observe the Eight Precepts, and practice meditation in preparation for every good thing that will come into their lives in the year ahead.
Mass Ordination of 100,000 Monks from Every Village in Thailand
This project has been made possible by the support of the entire Sangha Community, the Committee on Education, Religion, Arts and Culture Group, the House of Representatives, along with more than 25 organizations. This project is the continuation of the Mass Ordination of 7,000 monks from 7,000 Sub-districts.
This mass ordination project took place between January 19 until March 8, 2010 (2553 B.E.). Ordinands were ordained together as novices at Wat Phra Dhammakaya. The novices were subsequently ordained as monks and underwent religious training at different temples all over Thailand. This was the largest mass ordination in Thailand’s recorded history. More importantly many monks were inspired to remain in the monkhood to help perpetuate Buddhism, causing the number of monks in the Sangha Community to increase.
Renunciation Practice of 100,000 Upasikas
This program took place on March 8 - 15, 2010 (2553 B.E.). During the program, women practiced renunciation, performed wholesome deeds, and learned about the Buddhist Ideal and morality. The women who undertook the training can play an important role in protecting Buddhism and reviving world morality.
V-Stars (Virtuous Stars) Project for World Morality Revival
This project aims to instill morality in young people. It does this by teaching them to cultivate certain necessary virtues so that they can be responsible not just for themselves but for the community as well. Smart and good children are the future and the hope of the family, society, and country. They are also the future model of morality.
Wat Phra Dhammakaya has put in place a morality standard appraisal, a Buddhist culture contest and an award presentation ceremony. These programs have been participated by many educational institutions at all levels nationwide. The first Award Presentation Ceremony took place on May 19, 2008 (2551 B.E.) on the grounds of the Great Dhammakaya Cetiya. The ceremony has been organized six times so far and each time it was participated by hundreds of thousands of V-Stars.
The Lighting of Candles on Magha Puja Day
About 2,500 years ago, the Buddha and 1,250 Arahats had a meeting at Veluvana Temple in which the Buddha described the Buddhist Ideal, the Buddhist Principle, and the method of spreading Buddhism. In order to commemorate this important event, Buddhists of later times have come together to light candles as homage paid to the Buddha on the day called Magha Puja Day.
Each year, Buddhists all over the world come to Wat Phra Dhammakaya to participate in Magha Puja Day activities. During the day, they earn merit by making a food-offering, practicing meditation, offering alms to the Sangha, etc. In the evening, everyone congregates at the grounds of the Great Dhammakaya Cetiya. They circumambulate the Cetiya, light more than 100,000 candles as homage paid to the Buddha, and make a resolute wish together for world peace.
The Casting of Personal Dhammakaya Images
On World Meditation Day, everyone is reminded of the god of attaining Dhammakaya because the attainment of Dhammakaya leads to inner peace and world peace respectively. Making the Buddha’s Teachings known to everyone in the world and the creation of world peace remains the life-goal of Phrathepyanmahamuni, the Abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.
On Earth Day April 22, Buddhists worldwide come to Wat Phra Dhammakaya to attend the Personal Dhammakaya Image Casting Ceremony. These Dhammakaya Images are to be enshrined in the Great Dhammakaya Cetiya. On the same day, venerable monks from more than 30,000 temples are invited to Wat Phra Dhammakaya to receive alms from the laypeople.
The Offering of Food to Two Million Monks from 77 Provinces in Thailand
This project not only revives morality and the food-offering tradition, but it also serves to unite Buddhists and help our monks and novices in the four southern provinces who cannot go on their alms-round due to the civil unrest. Donated food and other goods are sent to help disaster victims as well.
International Dhammadayada Ordination Program
http://www.ordinationthai.org
This event is organized especially for foreigners who are interested in learning about the monastic lifestyle. The program lasts about one month and is held in English, Chinese, and Japanese.
Participants can learn first-hand what it is like to be a monk. During the training period, they can practice meditation, study the Buddha’s Teachings, develop patience and persistence, learn to live with people from different cultures, work boldly toward their goal, and develop Right View, right knowledge, and wisdom.
The Middle Way Meditation Retreat
The Middle Way Meditation Retreat is specifically designed for foreigners who wish to learn about meditation practice. Instructions are given by qualified teaching monks in English, Chinese, Japanese, and other languages. Participants have the opportunity to practice meditation in a wonderful environment and gamer happiness from their meditation practice. It is one of life’s exceptional experiences.
The Middle Way Meditation Retreat has been included in the top ten of all international retreats world-wide by Travel+Leisure Magazine. If you are interested in joining the retreats, you can find more information at:
www.mdwmeditation.org For English www.dmcchinese.tv/zhongdao For Chinese
Other various Middle Way Meditation Retreats are offered regularly here in Thailand and at different locations all over the world in order to teach people about meditation and the incomparable joy of attaining Dhammakaya.
We also offer a weekly online Middle Way Meditation Program that you can participate in from anywhere you have a computer and a good internet connection. Currently there are two sessions held every week. For more information on how to join us in these weekly sessions please visit:
www.mdwmeditation.org
On July 16, 2008 (2551 B.E.), Dhammachai Institute’s Buddhist Studies Department and Chwien Chang University’s Theology Department in Taiwan signed an academic agreement to develop together better learning and teaching methods and elevate academic development standard.
On August 27, 2009 (2552 B.E.) at Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Peking University agreed to translate the Tripitaka from Pali into modern Chinese. This Tripitaka version is called “Beida-Dhammachai Pali Series” (BDP).
On September 29, 2010 (2553 B.E.) at Wat Phra Dhammakaya, DMC signed an agreement with Sri Lanka’s Buddhist TV Channel, MOU, to exchange broadcasting programs with each other. The Siamvongse Nikaya Supreme Patriarch presided over the signing. Initially, MOU will air certain DMC programs that are of interest to the people of Sri Lanka for two hours each day.
Academic Collaboration with Foreign Organizations
On August 27, 2011 (2554 B.E.) at Wat Phra Dhammakaya, an academic agreement was signed with three institutions: the Library of Oxford University Bodleian, King’s College London University, and University College Cork. Wat Phra Dhammakaya has agreed to fund their research under the subject of “Theravada Buddhism: Continuity and Diversity”.
On Saturday, February 23, 2013, the Tripitaka Research Group ofWat Phra Dhammakaya, the Dhammakaya Foundation along with 10 universities from around the world, organized a seminar and exhibits on the Tripitaka-Pali under the theme "Perpetuation of the Buddha's Teachings: During Buddha's Time to the Present Days” at Thailand Science Park Convention Center in Pathumthani.
During the seminar there were exhibitions and lectures from a panel of world renowned Pali experts such as Professor Richard Gombrich from Oxford University; Professor Oskar von Hiniiber, an expert on Pali and ancient manuscripts; Professor Rupert Gethin, President of the Pali Text Society; and Professor Masahiro Shimoda from University of Tokyo. Professor Shimoda presented discussions on the topics: "The Transmission of Dhamma Through Oral Tradition”; "The Transmission of Dhamma Through Palm-leaf Manuscript”; "The Transmission of Dhamma Through Printed Editions of the Tipitaka”; and "The Transmission of Dhamma in the Digital Age.”
The Tripitaka Research Group ofWat Phra Dhammakaya organized this event as an effort to preserve the ancient manuscripts digitally, a more durable format, and to create a database of the Tripitaka to assist the continued research of Buddhism throughout the world. At the event, the Tripitaka Research Group discussed their research results on ancient Buddhist manuscripts from every tradition and presented the "Dhammachai Tripitaka (preliminary edition)” in order to corral opinions and recommendations from experts that can be applied to producing the most complete text.
In 2011, the worst floods struck Thailand causing tremendous damage to the country and the people were in a low spirit. In order to give comfort and cheer to floods victims and bless the country and its people with great merit, Wat Phra Dhammakaya, the Dhammakaya Foundation along with more than 25 organizations had worked together to organize the Dhammachai Dhuta-nga. The event took place on January 2 - 25, 2012. More than 1,127 venerable monks undertook Dhutanga to retrace the footsteps of Luang Pu, the Great Master of Vijja Dhammakaya. The trek went through the provinces of Patumthani, Ayutthaya, Suphanburi, Nakom Pathom, Nonthaburi, and Bangkok. The total distance of the trek was more than 365 kilometers. At each rest stop, our Dhutanga monks chanted, practiced meditation, and spread love and kindness to all living beings. Everywhere the Dhutanga monks went people and students came to welcome them by lining their path with rose petals.
In retracing Luang Pu’s footsteps, our Dhutanga monks visited the six important places in Luang Pu’s life. These include 1) Luang Pu’s birthplace, 2) the place where Luang Pu entered the monkhood, 3) the place where Luang Pu attained the Dhamma (Wat Boatbon, Bang Kuvieng), 4) the place where Luang Pu taught Vijja Dhammakaya for the first time (Wat Bangpla), 5) the place where Luang Pu spent the rest of his life researching Vijja Dhammakaya (Wat Paknam), and 6) the place where Vijja Dhammakaya is propagated (Wat Phra Dhammakaya). Luang Pu’s Gold Image will be enshrined in each of these six places as a reminder to the people of future generations of Luang Pu’s precious gift to humanity. Having learnt about Luang Pu’s history, they will be inspired to study and practice Luang Pu’s teachings for the sake of their happiness and prosperity.
Dhutanga Monks Retraced Luang Pu’s Footsteps behind Luang Pu’s Gold Image
As a way to demonstrate utmost honor and appreciation for Luang Pu - the Great Master of Vijja Dhammakaya - and his discovery of the Dhammakaya Knowledge, the Most Venerable Phrathepyanmahamuni (Luang Por Dhammajayo Bhikkhu) - abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, along with faithful devotees have collectively contributed to the casting of Luang Pu’s Gold Images that will be enshrined at the six important places in Luang Pu’s life.
On April 2-6, 2012, there was a procession to enshrine the Gold Image of Luang Pu at the Phramahacetiya Maharajamongkol Pagoda at Wat Pak-nam Bhasicharoen in Bangkok, the location where the initial propagation of the Dhammakaya Knowledge was established. Thousands of lay devotees came to pay reverence to Luang Pu’s Gold Image and to welcome the 1,500 Dhutanga monks by lining the entire path with rose petals.
On March 25-26, 2013, another procession was held to enshrine the second Gold Image of Luang Pu at Wat Song Pi Nong in Suphanburi, the place where Luang Pu entered the monkhood. Great numbers of supporters convened to welcome Luang Pu’s Gold Image and the 1,500 Dhutanga monks by paving the path with marigold petals.
The great undertaking of the Dhutanga aims to bring great fortune to Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen through the enshrinement of Luang Pu’s Gold Image and to cultivate virtues in Thailand.
Dhammakaya Open University (DOU)
Dhammakaya Open University is a private Buddhist university that offers long-distance learning based on the Higher Education Act of California, U.S. A.
DOU emphasizes the combination of education and lifestyle. DOU enables its students to have a good understanding of both the theoretical part and the practical part of the Buddha’s Teachings. At DOU, students learn about the reality of life and the different realms of existence. The Dhamma knowledge gained benefits them as well as everyone around them. DOU gives people the opportunity to gain a college education regardless of their gender, age, religious belief, and ethnicity.
The Path to Progress Project
This project was initiated in 1982 (2525 B.E.) in order to promote Dhamma education and the application of Dhamma knowledge to one’s daily life. Young participants range from students at the kindergarten level all the way to the undergraduate level. Other participants include soldiers, policemen, and teachers. His Majesty the king has kindly bestowed an honor shield to each year’s top national winner. This project has also received wide support from all concerned because everyone realizes the importance of youth to the future of our country and our world. Today, the project attracts around 500,000 participants annually and during the past 20 years, about ten million young people have benefited from this project.
In April 2000 (2543 B.E.), this project was listed as a UNESCO Culture of Peace and Non-Violence.
The contest is held at the same time in different countries in order to promote Dhamma education for people worldwide for the reason that Dhamma knowledge allows us to live life correctly. Dhamma knowledge enables us to create a warm and loving family, decrease social problems, and create peace and harmony in society.
Social Welfare
The Dhammakaya Foundation under the leadership of Phrathepyanmahamuni (Luang Por Dhammajayo) has in a most timely manner given relief packages to victims of floods, violent storms, earthquakes, sudden cold spells.. .as well as spiritual support. This was most evident during the worst floods in Thailand in 2011.
During the 2011 floods, the Dhammakaya Foundation had given out more than 5 million relief packages to floods victims all throughout the months of the floods and up until the time when the situation began to improve.
Dedication of Merit to Tsunami Victims
On January 5, 2005 at Phuket and on January 19, 2005 at Pattalung Province, the Dhammakaya Foundation along with several governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations had organized a candle lighting ceremony as homage paid to the Buddha. The merit earned from this activity was then dedicated to the people who had perished as a result of the tsunami. At the same time, aid was given to the people who had survived the tsunami.
Kathina Offering
Kathina Offering is a valuable merit-making activity that has been practiced by Buddhists for more than 2,500 years.
During the Buddha’s time, many monks had to travel a long distance in order to pay homage to the Buddha at the Jetavanna Temple. By the time of their arrival, their robes would be in tatters. Therefore, the Buddha allowed the Bhikkus to wear a new set of robes after the end of the Rains-Retreat. This was how Kathina Offering came to be.
Kathina Offering is a special merit-making activity and incomparable merit can be earned by the laypeople who contribute to it as well as the Bhikkus who receive it.
Practicing Meditation Together via the Internet
Peace Revolution* is an online platform that strives to bring peace to the world by supporting individuals to find inner peace through a selfdevelopment program and share that peace with their families, friends and communities, hence the slogan PIPO or Peace In, Peace Out. The project encourages the new generation of people in every corner of the world to practice online meditation, share their experience and exchange ideas of their peace projects.
* Peace Revolution is a project under World Peace Initiative Foundation, which is in affiliation with the Dhammakaya Foundation.
http://www.peacerevolution.net
Nepal
The mass ordination program of 1,112 novices at Lumbini, Nepal was held on November 10-28, 2011 (2554 B.E.). The ordination ceremony was attended by a large number of Nepalese and Thai people.
India
On July 19 - 26, 2010 (2553 B.E.) in India, a program was organized for Buddhist men and women in India to practice renunciation. In addition, the lighting of floating lanterns was organized in different cities such as Mumbai, Kalyan, Nagpur, Murtijapur, Balaghat, and Ahmed-nagar. These activities are part of the effort to help revive Buddhism in India, restore Buddhist culture, create a network of virtuous friends, and promote the concept that economy and spirituality must go hand-in-hand.
Indonesia
The mass ordination program of 126 novices in Indonesia was held on December 21-31, 2012 (2555 B.E.). The ordination ceremony was attended by a large number of Indonesian people.
International CooDeration
Sri Lanka
The presentation of 222 Dhammakaya Images took place on June 13, 2008 (2551 B.E.) at Bernard Aluviharaya ground. The President of the Sangha Assembly of Sri Lanka presided over the ceremony. And the event was attended by 2,000 monks from all over Sri Lanka as well as the ministers of different ministries, senators, and a large number of laypeople.
The World Peace Ethics Contest in Sri Lanka was held on August 15, 2010 (2553 B.E.) by the Sri Lankan Department of Religion and Wat Phra Dhammakaya. The contest was held in more than 300 centers nationwide. Altogether there were 10,000 teams and 30,000 contestants. Today, the contest is participated by more than 20,000 teams and 60,000 contestants.
Bangladesh
The presentation of 250 Dhammakaya Images in Bangladesh took place onMay 7,2010 (2553 B.E.) in Chittagong. The ceremony was attended by a large number of Buddhists as well as representatives of different temples. The front page of different newspapers was filled with news of the event.
On March 18,2554 B.E., the World Peace Ethics Contest in Bangladesh was held for the first time. There were 10 exam centers, 509 teams and more than 1,500 contestants from four cities in the Chittagong area.
A program for Buddhist men and women in Bangladesh to practice renunciation was organized in Dhaka and Chittagong in June 2011 (2554 B.E.) by the Dhammakaya Foundation, the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth or (WFBY), and Bouddha Juba Parisad (Young Buddhist Association of Bangladesh) or BBJP. (1) In Dhaka, the program was from June 17-22, 2011 (2554 B.E.); (2) In Chittagong, the program was from June 24-30, 2011 (2554 B.E.)
The mass ordination program of 294 novices in Bangladesh was held on January 2-18, 2012 (2555 B.E.)
Wat Phra Dhammakaya and the Dhammakaya Foundation celebrate Visakha Puja Day at Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Thailand and at its branches in Indonesia, Mongolia, Singapore, India, บ.s.A., etc.
India
The Dhammakaya Foundation and the Kalpana Saroj Foundation organized a candle and floating lantern lighting event as homage paid to the Lord Buddha in the city of Karachi, India. Thousands of Indian people attended the merit-making event.
Singapore
Kalyanamitta Centre (Singapore) celebrates Visakha Puja by organizing an exhibition where people can cleanse the Buddha Image, light the candle to worship the Holy Relics, receive blessings from listening to the monks’ chanting, practice meditation, etc. Monks from every Buddhist School in Singapore and people of other religious faiths are also invited to attend.
Malaysia
Every year in Penang, Malaysia, there is a Visakha Puja Day Procession. This activity has been organized every year for about 25 years now and this year the procession was along Burmah Road, Georgetown. The activity is organized by Penang Visakha Puja Day Committee under the supervision of the Malaysian Buddhist Society with the support of 33 organizations. The activity draws more than 6,000 people this year.
International Visakha Puja Day
Mongolia
The Dhammakaya Foundation and the Peaceful Mind Foundation organized a candle and floating lantern lighting event as homage paid to the Buddha at the National Stadium in the center of Ulan Bator. During the event, Mongolians pledged themselves as Buddhists. They chanted and practiced meditation together. The event was attended by senior Lamas and broadcasted live on television nationwide. Thousands of Mongolians attended the merit-filled event.
Indonesia
The Dhammakaya Foundation and the Warubi Society organized a Visakha Puja Day event at Borobudur. Monks from different Buddhist Schools and Buddhists all over Indonesia came together to practice meditation, chant, light candles and floating lanterns as homage paid to the Buddha.
The United States
The Dhammakaya International Meditation Center in Azusa, California organizes an international Visakha Puja day event every year. Monks from different Buddhist Schools and Buddhists from different countries are invited to light candles, circumambulate the Buddha Image, chant, and practice meditation together.
Dhamma Programs via Satellite (DMC)
In 2007, DMC, a satellite broadcast program comprised of virtuous and quality programs, was awarded 12 Telly Awards.
DMC or Dhamma Media Channel broadcasts its programs 24 hours a day to promote Dhamma knowledge and morality. These programs are produced by the Dhamma Education for the Environment Foundation. DMC offers a variety of interesting programs such as the Inner Dreams Kindergarten School, Good Questions, Good Answers from by Phrabhavanaviriyakhun (Luang Por Dattajeevo), Paying Homage to the Great Dhammakaya Cetiya, meditation lessons, morning and evening chanting, DMC News, to name a few.
DMC gives everyone in the world the opportunity to practice meditation together and discover true happiness for himself. Meditation is usually led by Luang Por Dhammajayo. Meditation is something that can be practiced by anyone in his daily life. Meditation gives rise to inner peace and inner peace leads to world peace.
Many projects initiated and run by Wat Phra Dhammakaya have received international recognition suet
- The Senate Medal was received on February 23, 2005 in recognition of the memorial services organized for the Tsui'
- World No Tobacco Day Awards 2004 from the World Health Organization. The award was received on May 31, 2004
- A Mahatma Gandhi Medal for Peace from Akhil Bharat Rachanatmak Samaj. The medal was received on April 22, 2(
- Honorary Shield from the representatives of the four southern provinces. The award was received on December 3, 20
- Universal Peace Award from Buddhist leaders who attended the third WBSY meeting in Sri Lanka. The award was ]
- The 28th Telly Awards, U.SA. Twelve awards were received on September 26, 2007 in recognition of DMC 'ร uniqi
- Outstanding Radio and TV Stations for the promotion of Buddhism from the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand. The aw
- GuinnessWorld Records. The longest journey walking on flower petals is 427.8 km (265.82 miles) and was achieved
- The Association for the Protection of Afghan Archaeology presented an honorific plaque to Most Venerable Phrathep
- Noble Peace Award from the World Buddhist Sangha Youth (WBSY) was presented to Most Venerable Phrathepyan mander of the Sri Lanka Navy, representing the Honorable Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.
International Award
1 that different awards have been offered to Luang Por Dhammajayo, Wat Phra Dhammakaya, and the Dhammakaya Foundation over the years. Some of these awards are:
laini victims in Phuket on January 5, 2005 and in Phang-nga on January 19, 2005. in recognition of Luang Por Dhammajayo'ร ongoing stop smoking campaign.
305 in recognition of Luang Por Dhammajayo'ร dedicated effort in youth development for more than 40 years.
'06 in recognition of Luang Por Dhammajayo'ร effort to help floods victims in different provinces in 2006. received on March 3, 2007 in recognition of Luang Por Dhammajayo'ร outstanding work in propagating Buddhism, le and quality Dhamma programs.
ard was received on May 22, 2008 in recognition of DMC programs and their translation into English and Chinese. DMC started its 24 hours a day worldwide broadcast in 2002. by 1,127 Buddhist monks, who walked across Thailand on the Dhammkaya Dhutanga pilgrimage to welcome the year 2012 in Thailand, between 2 and 25 January 2012. yanmahamuni on February 25, 2013 in recognition of his tremendous support in the effort to protect and preserve an invaluable 2000-year-old ancient Buddhist site at Mes Aynak in Afghanistan, mahamuni on February 25, 2013. The award was presented by Most Venerable Mugunuwela Anuruddha Thero, Secretary General of the WBSY, and Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Com-
In 40 years, everything has changed with time as it must. But the aspiration of Wat Phra Dhammakaya community has never changed. It continues to perpetuate the aspiration of Phramongkolthepmuni and Master Nun Chand Khonnokyoong, which is to Spread Buddhism and Vijja Dhammakaya to every corner of the world. The Buddha’s Teachings can create inner peace for all humankind, and encourage everyone to accumulate merit as provisions for the endless cycles of life, death, and rebirth until such time that Nibbana can be attained. Every human being is born on earth to embark upon the Path of Nibbana, accumulate merit, and pursue Perfections.
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