Vision: World Peace Through Inner Peace
In many ways peace is one of the most sought after commodities in the world, this is perhaps because true peace is so rarely found. Human beings seek for peace in all places, books, music, exotic destinations, in companionship and even spend great amounts of money in this pursuit, but the greatest miracle of a human being is that peace is always within reach, in fact, it does not lie any further than where you are right now. The key to peace lies in its simplicity, to find peace, one only needs to close one’s eyes and become still.
When the mind of each person in this world knows true peace, the world will know peace. When the mind is peaceful it will start to see the true cause of peace, and at the same time the true cause of war. With this clarity, we can finally put an end conflict, greed, and anger and usher in an era of peace. Once we know peace for ourselves, it will be reflected in our thoughts, our speech and in our actions. Love and good intention for mankind will arise and we will become the center of peace for people around like the sun shining warm light to big and small stars, both near and far. -- Luang Phaw Dhammajayo
Peace already exists - within us. It’s always there in everyone, no matter who you are, where you live or what you believe. We only need to be aware of it. Each human being has the potential look within, to be still, to experience peace. We can see for ourselves that the road that will lead to world peace lies within our inner peace. And the journey starts right now…
History of the Dhammakaya Temple
Wat Phra Dhammakaya or the Dhammakaya Temple was established on 20th February 1970 by the most venerable Phrathepyanmahamuni (Luang Por Dhammajayo), Master Nun Chandra Khonnokyoong and their disciples. The idea of Wat Phra Dhammakaya originates from the great determination of the great master Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro), the late abbot of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen and the discoverer of Dhammakaya meditation. He aimed to propagate Dhammakaya meditation worldwide in order to prolong the Lord Buddha's teachings and promote true peace on earth.
Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro)
The greatness of the Ven. Phramonkolthepmuni /Luang Pu Sod Chandasaro or Luang Pu Wat Paknam came as a result of his meditation on the full moon day of the tenth lunar month of 1916 when, he strove to re-discover the way to attain dhammakaya, the body of enlightenment or the Buddha Nature. Luang Pu Wat Paknam is always in the heart of those who practice Dhammakaya meditation. He continue to be a legend for meditators of the modern day to live up to, but at the same time a forward looking example leading us in spiritually happy practice in to the next millenium.
The Sun of Peace - Luang Por Dhammajayo
Luang Por Dhammajayo, presently Phrathepyanmahamuni, is the president of the Dhammakaya Foundation. He become interested in Buddhism and meditation during his adolescence. After he met the Master Nun Chandra, he dedicated himself to the practice of Dhammakaya meditation. As a university student, the Master Nun assigned him to teach meditation to other disciples. After graduating from Kasetsart University in 1969, he ordained into the monastic order on August 27th 1969 at the chapel of Wat Paknam Basicharoen in Bangkok. His preceptor, presently His Holiness Somdet Phra Maharatchamangkhalachan, the present abbot of Wat Paknam, gave him the name "Dhammajayo", which means victory through Dhamma. Presently, he teaches Buddhism and meditation on the DMC channel everyday.
The Master Khun Yay Acharaya Chandra Khonnokyoong
The Master Nun Khun Yay Acharaya Chandra Khonnokyoong was one of the forefront disciples of the great master. She was an expert in advanced Dhammakaya meditation. Her insight was so powerful that she was greatly admired by the great master who referred to her as "second to none". After the great master passed away, she continued to teach meditation at her residence in the grounds of Wat Paknam. Later, when her residence became overcrowded by disciples who wished to learn meditation, she established a new meditation centre which developed into Wat Phra Dhammakaya. In addition to founding Wat Phra Dhammakaya, the master nun Chandra played a key role in its subsequent success.