Dhammachai Dhutanga Program - Second Year :: Dhammakaya Foundation & Wat Phra Dhammakaya : World Peace through Inner Peace using Meditation Practice  

 

Dhammachai Dhutanga Program - Second Year

Dhammachai Dhutanga Program

On the Path of the Great Master Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro)

Second Year

Principle

In a collective effort, the Sangha Monastic Community of Thailand; Committee on Religion, Arts and Culture; and the House of Representatives collaborated with Buddhist organizations, public and private sectors, and more than 40 supporting organizations to organize the Dhammachai Dhutanga (pilgrimage). The pilgrimage, held from 2nd – 25th January 2012, covered six provinces including Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya, Suphan Buri, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Nontha Buri and Bangkok. The Dhammachai Dhutanga was conceived as a way to offer homage to the Lord Buddha and to commemorate the 2,600th anniversary of His Enlightenment; and to present and enshrine the gold statue of the Great Master Phramonkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro), at the Phramahacetiya Maharajamongkol of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen. The pilgrimage, aimed to reinvigorate the spirit and inspire Thai citizens to accumulate more merits for themselves and the country, was warmly received by both the public and private sectors and the general public.

This year the Dhammachai Dhutanga Organizing Committee has arranged another pilgrimage from 2nd – 27th January 2013 so that students and the general public can come welcome the 1,128 venerable monks from throughout Thailand making the journey and practice meditation. The pilgrimage also strives to revive morality, obviate future crises, increase prosperity and rejuvenate morale and spirit of the people. Additionally, it presents a wonderful opportunity to instill in the people the virtues of performing wholesome deeds for the benefit of society that will elevate their hearts and way of thinking as well. Thus, the Dhammachai Dhutanga will solidify the Buddhist culture in our society, homes, temples and schools; encourage the cultivation of humility and respect in accordance to the Dhamma principles [Apajayanamai] taught by the Lord Buddha; and ultimately establish a truly peaceful Thai nation.

Objectives
  1. To pay homage to the Lord Buddha and to commemorate the 2,600th anniversary of His Enlightenment.
  2. To develop virtuous Buddhist youth leader who can progress into a network of exemplary leaders as homage to the Lord Buddha and dedication to the Thai monarchy.
  3. To implement a greater sense of morality within our country’s infrastructure – the home, temple, and school.
  4. To revive the graceful Buddhist culture and affirm Thailand’s recognition as the world’s center of Buddhism by numerous nations.
  5. To foster a culture of morality, elevate morale and increase prosperity for the country.
Feature
  • 1,128 venerable monks will complete the Dhammachai Dhutanga
  • Students and the general public will contribute to forty percent of the participation
Description
  • Initiate a network of virtuous Buddhist youth leaders who are successful in developing in their community up to two morality-based programs that are endorsed by at least one temple for each school.
Organizing Committee of the Dhammachai Dhutanga Program
  1. Sangha Monastic Community of Thailand
  2. Committee of Religion, Arts and Culture and the House of Representatives
  3. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
  4. Royal Thai Police
  5. National Office of Buddhism
  6. World Federation of Buddhist Youth
  7. Office of the Regional Education Service Area
  8. Local Administration of the Education Commission
  9. Schools or Educational Institutions participating in the Dhammachai Dhutanga Program
  10. Thai Unity Alliance
  11. International Buddhist Society in patronage of His Holiness Somdej Phra Maha Ratchamangkalajahn
  12. Dhammakaya Temple and the Dhammakaya Foundation
Schedule
  • Preparation period is during the months of October – December 2012
  • Dhammachai Dhutanga takes place from 2nd – 27th January 2013
  • General public and youth participate in the pilgrimage from 2nd – 27th January 2013
Locations
  • Phra Nakhon Sri Ayutthaya
  • Suphan Buri
  • Nakhon Pathom
  • Samut Sakhon
  • Pathum Thani
  • Nontha Buri
  • Bangkok Metropolitan
Methods
  1. Conduct a program that promotes a collaborative effort from public and private sectors
  2. Coordinate the Dhammachai Dhutanga Program with the Sangha Community and various regional administrations and offices in order to prepare personnel, location, and budget; announce and promote the program
  3. Manage the various aspects of the program in order to achieve success
  4. Encourage people to come welcome the 1,128 venerable monks along the pilgrimage path and to practice meditation
Patrons of the Dhammachai Dhutanga Program
  • Phrathepyanmahamuni (Luang Por Dhammajayo), Abbot of the Dhammakaya Temple and President of the Dhammakaya Foundation
Supporting Organizations – comprised of 30 organizations
  1. Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education
  2. Office of the Education Council
  3. Office of the Basic Education Commission
  4. Office of the Vocational Education Commission
  5. Office of the Higher Education Commission
  6. Ministry of Social Development and Human Security
  7. Office of the Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Culture
  8. Office of Welfare Promotion, Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups
  9. National Office of Buddhism
  10. Department of Cultural Promotion of Thailand
  11. Department of Religious Affairs
  12. The Government Public Relations Department
  13. Bangkok Council of Cultural Promotion
  14. Moral Development and Promotion Center of Thailand
  15. Rom Klao Youth Foundation in patronage of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn
  16. Association of Thai Community Development Women Leaders
  17. Ship for Southeast Asian Youth Program (Thailand Division)
  18. White Media Association
  19. Khon Kaen University, Department of Education
  20. Eastern Asia University, Department of Communication Arts
  21. Khurusapha – Teachers’ Council of Thailand
  22. Creative Media Center for Youth
  23. Society for the Promotion of Morality
  24. Ruamjai Thai Pathum Association
  25. Society for a Culture of Virtues
  26. Bunditrat Association
  27. Society of Klatawan Airwaves & T.V. Channels
  28. Bundith Sodsai Association
  29. Ratanakeeree Foundation
  30. Dhamma Study and Support Foundation
Additional Organizations
  • charity organizations, e.g., foundations, associations, clubs, etc.
  • private organizations, e.g., hotels, tourism organizations, private companies, shops, etc.
  • public organizations, e.g., government sectors, public enterprises, educational institutions, etc.
  • general public
Expected Outcomes
  1. Accumulation of great merits and acquisition of a better understanding of the role of being a Buddhist by Thai citizens; establishment of a positive image for the country; kindling  of faith in all those witnessing the pilgrimage; and the revival of world morality.
  2. Development of a network of genuine, virtuous and morally disciplined Buddhist youth leaders.
  3. Cultivation of a morally sound network of homes, temples, and schools on all social levels.
  4. Inspiration for educational departments and institutions to continue to develop effective and enduring moral-based projects.
  5. Revival of the Buddhist culture in Thai society and elevation of moral standards in youths and citizens of Thailand and the rest of the world.
  6. Accretion of virtues in the hearts and minds of the people, prosperity, and motivation to accumulate evermore wholesome deeds for themselves and the country.
Coordination Center

Main Center: The Dhammachai Dhutanga Program aims to sustain the rich traditions of Thailand as homage to the Lord Buddha and commemoration of the 2,600th anniversary of His Enlightenment, and to rejuvenate the spirit and aspiration of the citizens to accumulate greater merits for the country.

40 Moo 8 Khlong Song Sub-District Khlong Luang District Pathum Thani Province

Telephone: 083-084-2072 or 082-458-4222, or fax: 02-524-0270

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