มุมมองคนต่างชาติในงานมาฆบูชา 2559

มาฆบูชา พุทธมหาสันนิบาต

ตอน เดี๋ยวนี้ใครๆ ก็มาวัดพระธรรมกายแล้ว

เรียบเรียงจากรายการโรงเรียนอนุบาลฝันในฝันวิทยา

    วันมาฆบูชาเมื่อวานนี้ (22 กุมภาพันธ์ 2559) ได้เห็นการรวมตัวกันของพระสงฆ์หลากนิกาย ผู้นำองค์กรพุทธต่างๆทั่วโลก พุทธศาสนิกชนนานาชาติตั้งใจมาสั่งสมบุญใหญ่ ตั้งแต่เช้าตรู่จนถึงค่ำที่วัดพระธรรมกายกันอย่างเนืองแน่นมาร่วมสร้างประวัติศาสตร์ในการฟื้นฟูพระพุทธศาสนา ทำให้ภาพเมื่อวานนี้มีแต่ความปลื้มปีติ ความกลมเกลียวสมานฉันท์ แบบไร้พรมแดนไม่มีอะไรมาขวางกั้นความรักที่ทุกคนมีต่อพระพุทธศาสนาได้เลย

เมื่ออรุณเบิกฟ้าในวันมาฆบูชา พุทธศาสนิกชนทั้งหลายก็ตั้งใจสั่งสมบุญใหญ่

ด้วยการตักบาตรแด่คณะพระภิกษุสงฆ์ผู้เป็นเนื้อนาบุญอันเลิศ

เหล่าเยาวชนผู้เป็นอนาคตที่ดีงามของพระพุทธศาสนา

 ได้มารับรางวัลการสอบตอบปัญหาธรรมะทางก้าวหน้าครั้งที่ 34

แสงเทียนถูกจุดขึ้นทั่วลานธรรมเพื่อนอบน้อมถวายแด่องค์พระชินสีห์

 ด้วยความเคารพและบูชา ในวันมาฆบูชา

     ทางด้านพระผู้ใหญ่ประเทศศรีลังกา

     รองสมเด็จพระสังฆราชมาครบทุกนิกาย ท่านกล่าวด้วยความปลื้มใจ ดังนี้

     1.พระดิมบุลกุมบูเระ วิมะละธัมมะเถโร(พรรษา 55) รองสมเด็จพระสังฆราช สยามโมบาลีมหานิกาย
ฝ่ายมัลวัตตะ

พระดิมบุลกุมบูเระ วิมะละธัมมะ เถโร (พรรษา 55)

รองสมเด็จพระสังฆราช สยามโมบาลีมหานิกาย ฝ่ายมัลวัตตะ

      กล่าวว่า “อาตมามาที่นี่เป็นครั้งที่ 2 แล้ว ความประทับใจตั้งแต่ครั้งแรกยังคงอยู่ในใจของอาตมาเสมอ งานมาฆบูชาที่วัดพระธรรมกายจัดขึ้นเป็นงานบุญที่สำคัญมาก มีการรวมพุทธบริษัทสี่ให้มาปฏิบัติธรรมร่วมกันอย่างสงบนิ่ง อาตมาคิดว่าคนมารวมกันเป็นล้าน หนึ่งปีมีเพียงครั้งเดียวไม่ใช่เรื่องยาก เพราะไทยและศรีลังกาเราร่วมมือกันมาตลอดที่จะทำงานเพื่อพระพุทธศาสนาตั้งแต่อดีตจนถึงปัจจุบัน”


     2. พระเวนดารูเวะ  อุปาลี เถโร (พรรษา  43) รองสมเด็จพระสังฆราช สยามโมบาลีมหานิกาย ฝ่ายอัสกิริยา

พระเวนดารูเวะ  อุปาลี เถโร (พรรษา 43) รองสมเด็จพระสังฆราช สยามโมบาลีมหานิกาย  ฝ่ายอัสกิริยา

     กล่าวว่า “อาตมาได้ไปร่วมงานมาทั่วโลกแต่ทว่าอาตมาไม่เคยเห็นพิธีกรรมที่ยิ่งใหญ่และศักดิ์สิทธิ์เท่าที่นี่มาก่อน เป็นที่เดียวในโลกที่ทำได้ดีเยี่ยมขนาดนี้ อาตมายังทึ่งว่าบริหารจัดการได้อย่างไร ที่อาตมาเลือกมางานมาฆบูชาที่วัดพระธรรมกายเพราะความภักดีและความสัมพันธ์อันแนบแน่นที่มีต่อกันตั้งแต่สมัยพระอุบาลี ปัญหาที่พระพุทธศาสนาโดนโจมตีไม่ได้เกิดแค่ประเทศไทยเท่านั้น ไม่ว่าจะเป็นศรีลังกา พม่า กัมพูชาก็มีปัญหาเหมือนกัน ดังนั้นเราต้องเป็นหนึ่งเดียวกัน ต้องร่วมมือกันเพื่อปกป้องพระพุทธศาสนาของเรา ถ้าเป็นอย่างนี้เราถึงจะสู้เขาได้ อาตมายินดีที่จะสนับสนุนงานของหลวงพ่อเพราะอาตมารู้ว่าท่านทำเพื่อชาวโลก”

     3. พระเซรุวิละสรณกิตติ (พรรษา 56) รองสมเด็จพระสังฆราช อมราปุระนิกาย

พระเซรุวิละ  สรณกิตติ  (พรรษา 56) รองสมเด็จพระสังฆราช อมราปุระนิกา

   กล่าวว่า “อาตมารู้สึกดีใจมากที่ได้มาที่นี่ ช่างเป็นงานบุญที่มหัศจรรย์จริงๆเหมือนกับปาฏิหาริย์ คนไทยมีความเข้าใจธรรมะเป็นอย่างดีอาตมาเห็นได้จากภาพที่เกิดขึ้นเมื่อวานนี้แม้คนจะมาร่วมงานกันอย่างมากแต่กลับสงบนิ่ง การสอนธรรมะของพระพุทธองค์ด้วยวิธีปฏิบัติธรรมนี้มีผลดีอย่างยิ่งต่อยุวชนรุ่นหลังที่จะเอาเป็นแบบอย่าง เมื่อคนจำนวนมากได้มาปฏิบัติธรรมร่วมกันเขาก็จะเข้าใจพระพุทธศาสนามากขึ้น อยากให้จัดงานอย่างนี้อีกบ่อยๆ จะได้เป็นการส่งสารไปยังคนทั่วโลก ให้ปฏิบัติธรรมร่วมกันในเวลาเดียวกันเป็นวิธีที่จะเผยแผ่ธรรมะไปทั่วโลกได้จริงๆ”

พระมูกูเวละ อนุรุทธะ เถโร ประเทศศรีลังกา

 ทำหน้าที่กราบนิมนต์พระผู้ใหญ่ของประเทศมาร่วมงานมาฆบูชา วัดพระธรรมกาย

“ผมขอเคียงข้างวัดพระธรรมกาย พร้อมที่จะสู้ไปด้วยกัน เพื่อปกป้องพระพุทธศาสนา”

      ส่วนทางด้านสื่อมวลชนยกกองทัพมาทำข่าวมาฆบูชากันเยอะมากทั้งเมืองไทยและต่างประเทศ รวม 25 แห่ง แยกเป็นสื่อไทย 8 แห่งและสื่อต่างประเทศ 17 แห่ง

สื่อมวลชนไทยและต่างประเทศร่วมทำข่าวงานวันมาฆบูชา ณ วัดพระธรรมกาย

      นักข่าวต่างประทับใจทีมงานต้อนรับและการจัดงานเป็นอย่างมากอาทิเช่น มิสเตอร์ฮอเก้ ซิลวา ประเทศเม็กซิโก หัวหน้าช่างภาพ ภูมิภาคเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ สำนักข่าวรอยเตอร์  ทุ่มเทถ่ายภาพอย่างประณีต เอาใจใส่ทุกช็อต มาตั้งแต่เช้าจนค่ำ

(ขวา) มิสเตอร์ฮอเก้ ซิลวา ประเทศเม็กซิโก

 หัวหน้าช่างภาพ ภูมิภาคเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ สำนักข่าวรอยเตอร์

      บอกเล่าความประทับใจให้ฟังว่า“มันเป็นประสบการณ์ที่ยอดเยี่ยมมาก ผมไม่คาดคิดมาก่อนว่างานจะยิ่งใหญ่ขนาดนี้ นี่มันมหัศจรรย์มากผมเห็นการนั่งสมาธิที่มีคนเยอะๆ รู้สึกได้รับแรงกระตุ้นจากทุกคนที่มาแสดงพลังอย่างนี้ ผมจะถ่ายทอดสิ่งนี้ไปสู่คนอื่นๆอย่างแน่นอน ผมชอบกิจกรรมนี้มากมันกระทบเข้าไปในใจทุกคนอาจมีความรู้สึกแตกต่างกันไป แต่สำหรับผมนี่เป็นครั้งที่น่าจดจำและประทับใจจริงๆ” ส่วน มิสเตอร์อัมมัน  คัมลี่ ผู้อำนวยการสถานีโทรทัศน์พระพุทธศาสนา เมืองนาคปูร ประเทศอินเดีย

(คนที่ 3 จากซ้าย) มิสเตอร์อัมมัน  คัมลี่

 ผู้อำนวยการสถานีโทรทัศน์พระพุทธศาสนา เมืองนาคปูร ประเทศอินเดีย

       กล่าวว่า “นี่เป็นประสบการณ์ที่ยิ่งใหญ่ของพวกเราทุกคนที่มาจากอินเดีย ดินแดนแห่งพระสัมมาสัมพุทธเจ้าและนี่ก็เป็นแรงบันดาลใจอย่างยิ่งใหญ่ต่อชาวอินเดียทุกคน ต่อโลกและจักรวาลนี้ รู้สึกเบิกบานและมีพลังในดินแดนศักดิ์สิทธิ์แห่งนี้ณวัดพระธรรมกาย  การมาที่นี่ทำให้ได้พบกับบุคคลที่ใจเย็น และมีวินัย เราชอบวินัยแบบนี้ และอยากให้ความมีวินัยแบบนี้เกิดขึ้นที่อินเดียเช่นกันครับ”

ทีมงานอาสาสมัคร ต้อนรับสื่อต่างประเทศ ตั้งใจทำหน้าที่อย่างดีที่สุด

รวมทั้งอธิบายทำความเข้าใจเกี่ยวกับข้อปฏิบัติต่างๆ ในการถ่ายภาพ

ข้อมูลจาก http://www.dmc.tv/pages/latest_update/20160223-%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%86%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%95-%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99-%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%9A%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%81-%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B1%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B1%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A5.html

Volunteering in Wat Phra Dhammakaya on Magha Puja Day 2016

Feedback from French teacher:Joining a volunteer of Wat Phra Dhammakaya on Magha Puja Day 2016.

I learnt that Buddhism was not one but that there were many Buddhism depending on the country, what people were looking for inside the religion. It is a bit confusing as I thought that everybody wanted to reach the same goal, but I feel that there are many ways to practice Buddhism.

The most important thing that I kept in mind is always do your opinion by yourself. Monks were talking about newspapers and the difficulty to find articles that don’t mix facts and feelings. They were explaining that the most important thing was to have facts, and then you can make your own opinion.

Volunteering was a really good experience, even though I am not a Buddhist, sharing time, giving time to people for free is always gratifying. We learn so much from this kind of experience. I really like welcoming people in the morning. It was amazing to see how easy it was despite the big number of people ( The most impressing part was offering food to monks in the morning, I was surprised it didn’t last a long time regarding the number of monks who were here. And I really enjoyed the time when we lighted the candles, it was really beautiful and so quiet! Ohhh and of course I really liked the group meditation, it was a very peaceful time!

I was not really confident in helping people for the garbage as my Thai language was not good enough to understand what people asked me sometimes. 

Maybe for the garbage management to have a small training before going on site, to have the vocabulary about recycling and so on. 
But all the senior sister, staff and monks were very welcoming with us. We felt really welcome. Thank you for your time. (I really felt as a part of the people ‘working’ for that special celebration to be as beautiful, peaceful and rich as expected!)

--Teacher Mathilde Foyer, French.

French woman's impression.

Feedback from French woman:Joining a volunteer of Wat Phra Dhammakaya on Magha Puja Day 2016

I am an open-minded Catholic raised woman curious to discover other religions so I was glad to listen to the teaching monk telling us about the Buddhist beliefs and precepts. 
I felt really lucky to meet monks and to have the opportunity to talk to them directly. I was particularly interested in meditation and how to get your inner self still. I knew that it was a difficult exercise of the mind but now I understand that everybody can do it, that it is okay not to be able to meditate for a long time at first and that letting go of everything requires practice and time. Now, I feel ready to give it a try! 

Before coming in Thailand, I used to do volunteering work in France very often. I was part of several associations and gladly participated in the organisation of events. It was a great experience to volunteer here in Thailand too on Magha Buja day, I was able to discover how everything is enthusiastically planned and arranged with great care. I could also meet respectful and incredibly devoted people. Being part of the volunteering team was an unforgettable experience. 

I very much enjoyed helping in the preparation of the celebration from early morning to late evening, the atmosphere was great and the feeling of serving people is always wonderful. Helping people sorting their garbage out, cleaning and welcoming visitors made me feel useful and happy. I could see in people eyes and smiles they were grateful and rejoicing at seeing young people giving their time and energy to ensure everything goes well. 

Some people were surprised at seeing volunteering foreigners; I could see it worked as a good surprise for them. I guess they understood we were sincerely interested in the Thai culture and felt happy we could share this great celebration with them. 

Thank you very much for your energy, your kindness and your welcoming smiles. (I had a great time and I will never forget this experience!) 

Maybe we could have a list of English books to read on Buddhism or meditation and a little bookmark with some key words we need to learn to greet people like “Share your merit” or “I am glad you came today”.

-- volunteer Helene Jonnard, French.

การรับของพระไม่เข้าข่ายรับของโจร

Wat Phra Dhammakaya celebrates Magha Puja Day

Wat Phra Dhammakaya celebrates Magha Puja Day, with leading Buddhist organization from more than 40 nations around the world.

To commemorate the auspicious event and pay respect to the Lord Buddha, Wat Phra Dhammakaya in cooperation with the Buddhist Community organized the international Magha Puja Day on February 22nd, 2016. The ceremony included an almsgiving ceremony, meditation practice, presenting awards to the winners of the World Peace Ethics Contest (World-PEC).  and light of peace ceremony. 

 

There were many VIP guests and the famous persons participating in this auspicious day. The honored guests were Most Ven. Thich Tri Quang – President of Vietnam Sangha Council, deputy supreme patriarchs of Sri Lanka which are Most Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma- Deputy Supreme Patriarch of Syamopali Malwatta Chapter, Most Ven. Wendaruwe Upali Thero -Deputy Supreme Patriarch of Syamopali Asgiriya Chapter and Most Ven. Seruwila Saranakitthi Thero-Deputy Supreme Patriarch of Amarapura Nikaya. Also Most Ven. Baddanta Kumara- Rector of State Pariyatti Sasana University(Rangoon), Most Ven. Baddanta Kesara- Rector of State Parriyatti Sasana University( Mandalay), and Hon.Sri Rajkumar Badole- Minister of Social Justice and Special Assistance of Maharastra State, India. Also honored guests who are leaders of Buddhist organizations from more than 40 nations around the world.

 

In the morning, the Almsgiving Ceremony started at 06.00a.m., receiving food offerings by 3,000 monks then continuing Meditation Practice at 9.00 a.m. In the afternoon at 1.00 p.m. awards presented were for his Majesty's grant to the winners of the 34th Path of Progress Dhamma and the 18 honor awards. Also 9 silver awards were presented to the winners of the 10th World Peace Ethics Contest (World-PEC). At 6.00 p.m., the traditional ceremony: Light of Peace Illumination and   Circumambulation Ceremony, lighting the 100,000 lanterns for the sake of The Lord Buddha.

 

Magha Puja Day is an important Buddhist festival celebrated on the full moon day of the third lunar month. About 2,500 years ago, on day of the full moon of the third lunar month, the Lord Buddha assembled with his disciple monks at Veluvana Bamboo Grove following which four marvelous events occurred: 1,250 Arahant monks appeared before the Lord Buddha without being summoned. All of them were Arahant, the enlightened disciple monks, and the Lord Buddha ordained them all.

The Lord Buddha taught “Ovadapatimokha” on Magha Puja Day that is the Heart of Buddhism.  This teaching consists of the goals, principles and procedures of Buddhism to achieve goals which of 1. Not to commit any kind of sins. 2. Do only good things. 3. Purify one’s mind. The principles are 1. One should be patient in order to reach our achievement. 2. All the Lord Buddhas had taught that Nirvana is the state of the supreme bliss. 3. Monks who harmed the other living beings do not deserve to be monks. 4. Monks who assaulted other living being do not deserve to be monks, the procedures are: 1. One should not insult or make slanderous allegations against each other. 2. One should not assault or harm each other. 3. One should observe the precepts.(Buddhist monks must observe all 227 precepts). 4.One should consume food modestly. 5. One should live in a tranquil place, which is suitable for meditation practice. 6. One should always practice mindfulness either when standing, walking, sitting, or sleeping.

If every Buddhist disciples follow these teachings, we would have a peaceful family, peaceful community, peaceful nation, and peaceful world.

    

Magha Puja Day 2016

Magha Puja Day 2016, February 22nd, Offering Lights to Brighten Your Life

You are cordially invited to join the Magha Puja Day ceremony at Wat Phra Dhammakaya!

Magha Puja Day is one of the most important Buddhist holy days in Thailand. Each of the 30,000 Buddhist temples across the nation holds its own ceremony to mark the occasion. The ceremony at Wat Phra Dhammakaya is one of the largest held in Thailand.

The Importance of Magha Puja Day:

About 2,500 years ago, on day of the full moon of the third lunar month, the Lord Buddha assembled with his disciple monks at Veluvana Bamboo Grove and following four marvelous events occurred:
1. It was a full-moon day.
2. There were 1,250 Arahant monks who had gathered together without prior arrangement.
3. All of them were Arahant, the enlightened disciple monks, and all of them had been ordained by the Lord Buddha himself.
4. The Lord Buddha delivered a sermon called the Ovada Patimokkha which includes the ideology, the moral standards and the conducts of Buddhism.

The Buddhist ideology is the ultimate objective of every Buddhist as outlined in the Lord Buddha’s sermon, Buddhist ideology comprises the following:
1. We should be patient in order to reach our achievement. As our life may be burdened by suffering, we should be patient. Furthermore, patience toward sensual desire can prevent us from sensual indulgence.
2. All the Lord Buddhas had taught that Nirvana is the state of supreme bliss.
3. Monks who kill or harm other living beings do not deserve to be monks.

Subsequently the Lord Buddha suggested the following moral standards:
1. Abstaining from misdeeds because the Law of Karma still controls us. If we break precepts or commit bad deeds, karmic retribution will return to us either in this lifetime or during a future lifetime.
2. Doing only good deeds. When the karma from good deeds bears fruit, our life will be joyful, prosperous and successful.
3. Purifying our mind by practicing meditation. This is the only way that we are able to attain true happiness and Nirvana.

Finally, he recommended the conducts which his disciples should obey.
1. The propagation of Buddhism should be made without insulting or making slanderous allegations against each other.
2. The propagation of Buddhism should be made without assaulting or harming each other.
3. Buddhists should observe the precepts. In particular, Buddhist monks must observe all 227 precepts.
4. One should consume food modestly.
5. One should live in a tranquil place which is suitable for meditation practice.
6. One should always practice mindfulness either when standing, walking, sitting, or sleeping.

Fruits of Karma:
The act of offering lanterns in homage to the Lord Buddha yields the following fruits of merit:
1. One will be reborn in the realm of Buddhism and have strong faith in the Triple Gem which enables one to progress in pursuit of perfections.
2. One will be full of respect toward the Triple Gem, parents, and teachers.
3. One will have beautiful and powerful eyes which can see afar accurately.
4. One will have the divine eye which allows one to see the celestial realms.
5. One will have a beautiful and radiant complexion.
6. One will have bright radiance and a prosperous life.
7. One will be wise both in worldly and supra-mundane knowledge.
8. One will not be reborn in the unwholesome realm.
9. One will achieve meditative attainment at ease.

Lighting Lanterns to Cultivate Faith and Wisdom:
The light of faith and wisdom that we light up in homage to the Triple Gem represents our faithful heart with realization in the Lord Buddha’s great compassion towards all living beings. We humbly offer the light to worship his purity and wisdom as he knew the truth of life thoroughly. Nothing could conceal his insight power. As we worship him with respect, we will receive merit in return. The merit from paying homage to the wholesome one will enable us to be prosperous and successful in our lives. The gift of light will allow us to have beautiful eyes, superb vision, beautiful radiance, a bright mind, luminous wisdom, and attain the Buddhahood or Dhammakaya inside ourselves.

According to the Buddhist scripture, there was once a lady who faithfully lit lanterns to pay homage to the Lord Buddha. Later on, her good karma caused her to be reborn as a beautiful lady with a golden subtle complexion. Radiance glowed from her body constantly. Even when she was in the dark, she could see things because of her own radiance. After she ordained to become a Bhikkhuni (female Buddhist monk), she was able to attain enlightenment quickly and went on to become a female disciple monk who was recognized by the Lord Buddha as the one who was excellent in recalling past lifetimes.
From this story, we can conclude that the act of worship to the Triple Gem is indeed the opportunity to develop our own mind by realizing and welcoming the wholesomeness of the Triple Gem into our own heart, similar to opening the lid of a crystal jar to receive drops of clean rain from the sky. We do not only believe in what we do, but we also understand why we do it. This is why the act of worship allows us to cultivate both faith and wisdom simultaneously.

How to Meditate During Magha Puja Ceremony?
1. Chant to pay homage to the Triple Gem in order to keep your mind peaceful and clam.
2. Light up lanterns with a respectful mind.
3. Close your eyes and meditate.
4. Visualize a lantern at the center of your body; focus your mind on it tenderly.
5. Repeat the mantra ‘Samma Arahang’ or ‘clear and bright’ in your mind over and over to prevent your mind from mental distractions.
6. Once your mind is calm and still, use your mind to offer the lantern in homage to the Lord Buddhas.
7. Share your merit with all sentient beings.
8. Make wishes.

Schedule of Events

Morning & Afternoon at the Dhammakaya Meditation Hall

06.00-08.30            – Almsgiving Ceremony

08.40-11.15            – Morning Chanting

                               – Meditation Practice

                               – Offering Midday Meal to the Monks

                               – Luang Por Dattajeevo presents World-PEC awards to  the winners.

15.00-16.00            – Meditation Practice and Sermon 

Evening Session at the Dhammakaya Cetiya

18.00                      – Meditation Practice, led by Luang Por Dhammajayo

                              – Light of Peace Illumination Ceremony

19.00                     – Circumambulation Ceremony

19.45                     – Luang Por Dhammajayo leads the congregation to make resolutions, spread loving kindness, and pay homage to the Triple Gem.

20.00                    – End of Ceremony.

English Translation is broadcasted through radio channel FM 94.75MHz, foreign visitors may borrow a device from our service center at Pillar H20 of the Dhammakaya Meditation Hall.

For more information, please contact: The Dhammakaya Meditation Centre nearest you or Call (662) 831-1000

DHAMMAKAYA IMAGE: Theravada Buddhism Thai

DHAMMAKAYA IMAGE

The public has two different perceptions about Wat Phra Dhammakaya. One of them is that it trains and develops good people for the society. Another is it solicits donations from the public in order to fund its expenses. Unfortunately, the task of developing good people is not evident to the public because this is carried out within the temple premises and is not visible to others. Teaching moral education and meditation practices can be similar to teaching educational courses in universities or performing surgeries in hospitals, because they are done privately within the premises of the institution, away from the public’s eyes. Those who have not visited the institutions will have no idea what is happening there.

People who have never visited Wat Phra Dhammakaya have no clue what is going on at the Temple. However, activities involving the solicitation of donations are obvious because they are made public. The media see this aspect and criticize the Temple in all sorts of ways. Because of a one-dimensional projection made by the media, the layperson, who has never visited the Temple, can’t help but arrive at the conclusion that fund raising is the main focus of Wat Phra Dhammakaya. This misunderstanding has been going on for a long time. 

It is our wish for the public to be aware of the fact that, throughout its forty-five years of existence, Wat Phra Dhammakaya has devoted all of its efforts to cultivating and developing good people for society. These efforts are made evident in the innumerable projects that the Temple has completed, all of which have produced outstanding results.  

Developing and maintaining a good society starts with its people. To solve the problems of society we must go to the root of the problem, that is its people. Wat Phra Dhammakaya has not taken any taxpayer’s money to achieve this. It in fact has saved considerable taxpayer’s money by relieving the burdens of the state and by preventing the taxpayer’s money from being wasted through ineffective means—attacking the symptom instead of the cause.

Anyone who has seen the work of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, and who is able to observe its various activities with an open mind, will, without a doubt, extend support and encouragement for these activities. As Thais and Buddhists, it is our natural inclination to wish Buddhism well and to see that our society and nation are peaceful and secure. 

Getting to Know Wat Phra Dhammakaya

http://www.dmc.tv/pages/en/Dhammakaya/Getting-to-Know-Wat-Phra-Dhammakaya.html

#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha

Facts about Wat Phra Dhammakaya: Theravada Buddism Thai

Facts about Wat Phra Dhammakaya: 

Theravada Buddism Thai

           Venerable Phrarajbhavanavisudh (Luangpor Dhammajayo), Abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, is alleged to have swindled land from the temple and returned it only after being contested. What are the facts surrounding this issue?

The facts are as follows:

        The land donors have verified their full intention to donate the land to Phrarajbhavanavisudh (Luangpor Dhammajayo) because of the strong faith they have in him. The full title deed also clearly indicates that the donated land is intended for religious purposes.

Once land or property is donated to a temple, it becomes monastic property but with specific restrictions, i.e., a new temple cannot be built on that land even if it is located in a different province. Otherwise, it would be considered an overlapping of an existing temple, which violates the Vinaya (Monastic Disciplinary Code).

Donors of several plots of land have appeared in court to verify their donation of the land to Phrarajbhavanavisudh due to their strong faith and appreciation for his efforts in Buddhist dissemination.

                The plaintiff in this lawsuit, an official from the Department of Religious Affairs, nevertheless, advances the argument that when the full title deed specifies “the land plots were donated to Phrarajbhavanavisudh to be used for purposes in Buddhism”, it signifies the land was really granted to the temple, and not the individual monk. This interpretation is peculiar and contradictory considering the land donors precisely indicated that the land was donated specifically to Phrarajbhavanavisudh. Yet, the official from the Department of Religious Affairs presumed to know better than the donors and filed charges against the temple.

  

               The same official from the Department of Religious Affairs also mentioned, “in order for the land to be used for religious purposes, the land must belong to a temple only.”  When the official stated this, the defense lawyer asked, “If Phrarajbhavanavisudh wishes to use this land to build a meditation center, would this be deemed as an effort related to Buddhism?”

The official replied, “No, it is not considered related to Buddhism; it has to be a temple only.”

                      The lawyer continued, “If so, would Buddhamonthon (a Buddhist park), which is not a temple, fall in the spectrum of affairs related to Buddhism?”

                        The official paused to think, prompting the lawyer to reiterate, “Please consider it carefully before answering because members of the royal family also make visits there.”

                        Finally, the official replied: “Buddhamonthon is an exception; it does fall under affairs related to Buddhism.”

             ***(Why was he willing to consider Buddhamonthon in the spectrum of affairs related to Buddhism when it clearly is not a temple? It is something to consider. Yet, when Phrarahbhavanavisudh used land offered to him to construct a meditation center to conduct Buddhist activities, the official did not view it as Buddhist-related.)

                     When taking everything into consideration, most honest people will immediately recognize this as an instigation of problems – creating issues out of a trivial matter in order to attack the temple.

To this day, supporters continue to donate land to Phrarajbhavanavisudh (presently Phrathepyanmahamuni) at land offering ceremonies witnessed by hundreds of thousands of people. The donors repeat their intention as many as three times: “I intend to donate this land to Phrathepyanmahamuni for his own personal use or toward religious work. Should the land prove to be unsuitable for religious purposes, the land can be sold and the money be applied to projects related to Buddhism.”  This live event is also captured on video as verification of the donor’s intent and to prevent problems that may arise. 

                   The caption printed by the press, “Phrarajbhavanavisudh returned the land to the temple” is misleading and has led to much misunderstanding. In fact, Phrarajbhavanavisudh donated the land to Wat Phra Dhammakaya and was not committing fraud. He did so to bring an end to the situation and to kindly comply with the epistle authored by the late Supreme Patriarch, as a demonstration of highest respect to the Supreme Patriarch.  

                    Phrathepyanmahamunni (Luangpor Dhammajayo) devoted the entire 46 years of his monkhood to Buddhism. He co-founded Wat Phra Dhammakaya and established 161 branch centers throughout the world in order to propagate Buddhism to millions of people. He has made great contributions to Buddhism. At over 70 years of age, he continues to dedicate all his time to teaching meditation and disseminating Buddhist teachings to the public. Therefore, the allegation of him defrauding the temple is baseless. Why would someone who has personally established these meditation centers wish to embezzle these places when they were built to be used by the general public?     

“Deeds performed by a person his entire life have more credibility than any accusations could.”
___________________________________________

#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha#Buddha