Dhammakaya is the body of enlightenment of the Lord Buddha and “vijja” is the true knowledge; together, “vijja Dhammakaya” means the true and supreme knowledge illuminated by the Dhammakaya vision. This knowledge is the core principle of Buddhism that will lead to extinguishing of suffering and attainment of the state of supreme bliss known is Nibbana.
The term ‘Dhammakaya’ has seen increasing reference ever since the day the Most Venerable Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro), Luang Pu Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, meditated and attained the body of enlightenment. This auspicious day occurred on the 15th day of the 10th waxing moon in 2460 B.E. (1917) at Wat Bode Bon in Bang Kuvieng Sub-District of Nonthaburi Province during the middle of the Most Venerable Phramongkolthepmuni’s 12th vassa, or year as a monk.
The Most Venerable Phramongkolthepmuni was born in 2427 B.E. during the era of King Rama V. In July 2449 B.E. (1906), at 22 years of age, he decided to enter the monkhood and ordain at Wat Song Pi Nong in Suphan Buri Province, with the Most Venerable Dee of Wat Pratusarn as his Preceptor.
Dhamma Study and Dhamma Practice
From the very first day of his ordination onward, the Most Venerable Phramongkolthepmuni diligently practiced meditation along with studying Dhamma. Shortly, seven months into his ordination, he entered Wat Phra Chetuphonwimonmongklaram to study Pali until his 11th vassa, becoming very proficient in this ancient language. Once his goal of being able to translate the Mahasatipattarn scripture was achieved, he turned his focus to earnestly practice meditation.
He had the opportunity to study Dhamma with many great masters of that era such as the Most Venerable Noeng Indasuvanno of Wat Song Phi Nong in Suphan Buri Province; Luang Pu Niam of Wat Noi in Suphan Buri Province; the Most Venerable Sangvaranuvong of Wat Rajasitharam in Bangkok; Phrakru Yanavirat (Poe) of Wat Phra Chetuphon in Bangkok; and the Most Venerable Sing of Wat Lakontam in Thonburi. All these masters were highly competent in scriptural studies and meditation practice, possessed exemplary moral conduct and had many disciples.
Attaining the Body of Enlightenment
On the full moon day in October, halfway into Luang Pu Wat Paknam’s 12th year in the monkhood, after returning from his morning almsround he went into the main chapel to meditate. He closed his eyes and repeated the mantra “samma araham” until his mind came to a complete standstill at a single point. He saw a bright crystal sphere in the middle of his body, giving him an indescribable sense of calmness. Even while having lunch, the crystal sphere remained fixed at the center of his body. Later that evening, after listening to the recitation of the Patimokkha – the Buddhist monastic code that consists of 227 disciplinary codes, he returned to the chapel to meditate with his mind was still firmly positioned at the center of the bright crystal sphere at the center of his body. He maintained the stillness until the crystal sphere became increasingly more radiant. The words “majjhima patipada” (the middle way) was heard emanating from the crystal sphere simultaneously with the appearance of a new luminous point at the center of the bright crystal sphere. He then focused on that luminous spot with a still mind until it gradually expanded and replaced the previous one. He continued to focus his mind at the center of the bright sphere within and each time a brighter and more radiant crystal sphere would emerge. Eventually, he penetrated the various bodies within until attaining the “body of enlightenment,” which is an ultra-luminous Buddha sitting in the lotus position with a topknot in the shape of a budding lotus flower.
Reflecting on what he had witnessed, he realized that attaining the Lord Buddha’s Dhamma requires one to completely still the mind. The four main responsibilities of the mind – seeing, remembering, thinking and knowing, must converge and come to a complete standstill at a single concentrated point. He would later summarize this invaluable knowledge with a simple phrase “stopping is the key to success.” Eventually, he compiled the various methods of meditation practices, from the beginning level to the advanced level, into a book called “The Abbot’s Handbook” as a reference for those interested in increasing their knowledge.
The word “Dhammakaya” has been cited in numerous Buddhist scriptures, both in Theravada and Mahayana tradition. In Theravada scriptures, the word “Dhammakaya” appears over 40 times: four times in the Tipitaka; 25 times in the Atthakatha; six times in the Vinaya’s sub-commentary called Sarattathipani [Pali version]; twice in the Visuddhimagga; and once in theMilindapanha.
“…Behold Vasettha and Paratawacha… whether it is the word Dhammakaya or Brahma, these are names that refer to the Tathagata…”
“…any sage who is endowed with pure moral discipline [sila]…is a sage destined, in the very least, to become a Private Buddha [Paccekabuddha] who has attained numerous forms of the Dhammakaya, possesses vast Dhamma knowledge, and has a mind focused on liberation …”
130th Year Anniversary of the Great Master
As a way to pay utmost reverence to the Great Master Luang Pu Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen (Sodh Candasaro) and his exemplary virtues, his faithful disciples have cast gold statues of the Great Master. These gold statues will be enshrined in all the important and significant places in the life of the Great Master to give evidence to his attainment of Vijja Dhammakaya for future generations to study and follow. These important locations are as follows:
1. Place of Birth – Song Pi Nong District in Suphan Buri Province is the site of the Great Master Memorial Hall where a gold statue of the Great Master and his biography are enshrined.
2. Wat Song Pi Nong in Song Pi Nong District of Suphan Buri Province. This is the temple where the Great Master ordained into the monkhood.
3. Wat Bode Bon in Bang Kuvieng Sub-District of Nonthaburi Province. This is the temple where the Great Master practiced meditation until he attained the Dhammakaya within.
4. Wat Bang Pla in Bang Lane District of Nakhon Phathom Province. This is the temple that the Great Master taught meditation for the very first time and where three venerable monks and four laypersons successfully attained the Dhammakaya within.
5. Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen in Bangkok. This is the temple where the Great Master became abbot, taught and propagated meditation to a great number of venerable monks, novice monks, laymen and laywomen so that they may attain the Dhammakaya. Before the Great Master passed away, he instructed his disciples not to cremate his body but to keep it at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, and for them to help propagate Buddhism and Vijja Dhammakaya all over the world.
6. Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Pathum Thani Province. This is the temple where a gold statue of the Great Master, one and a half times his actual size, has been enshrined in the Memorial Hall of Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro) in order for everyone to come pay respect and practice meditation. The aim of Wat Phra Dhammakaya is to disseminate Buddhism and Vijja Dhammakaya all over the world.
8th September 2014 is the Dhammakaya Master Day
97 years ago on a full moon day of the 10th lunar month, the Great Master Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro) made an important rediscovery of a knowledge that had been lost for over two thousand years. His great rediscovery: the Dhammakaya Knowledge. In honor of the Great Master’s outstanding attainment, the historic day was designated the Dhammakaya Master Day. Every year on this day at Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani Province, faithful disciples of the Great Master gather to pay their highest reverence to the Lord Buddha and the Dhammakaya Master and to follow in their footsteps by earnestly practicing meditation.
We would like to invite all the disciples of the Great Master Phramongkolthepmuni in Thailand and around the world to come participate in all the merit making events on the Dhammakaya Master Day. The ceremony will commence at 9.00 AM on Monday 8 September 2014 (B.E. 2557) at Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani Province. For more information, please visit www.dhammakaya.net, www.dhammakayapost.org and www.dmc.tv or call 02- 831-1000.
