54th Anniversary of Wat Phra Dhammakaya on Magha Puja Day was celebrated by the presentation of Guinness World Records Award with the participation of 1 million people, meditating for the world peace, the presentation of Path of Progress Contest Award and World Peace Ethics Contest (World-PEC) Award and over 100,000 lanterns, lighted in homage to the Buddha.
On 24 Febraury 2024, Venerable Phrakrusamu Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, Director of Communication Department, Wat Phra Dhammakaya mentioned that on occasions of Wat Phra Dhammakaya’s 54th Anniversary and Magha Puja Day, the temple organized 7 big events, which were 1. Almsgiving to over 1,000 monks 2. Meditation practice-the inner peace for the world peace 3. The presentation of Guinness World Records Award on the title ““The Most Pledges Received for a World Peace Campaign in One Year”with the online registration of 1,134,595 persons on their support of the world peace through meditation 4. The presentation of 41st Path of Progress Contest Award 5. The presentation of 17th World Peace Ethics Contest (World-PEC) Award 6. The lighting of over 100,000 lanterns 7. The celebration of achieving 6,152,001,250 rounds of Dhammacakka recited.
The morning activities were the alms offering to over 1,000 monks and the meditation practice, followed by the presentation of Guinness World Records Award on the title “The Most Pledges Received for a World Peace Campaign in One Year”with the online registration of 1,134,595 persons on their support of the world peace through meditation. Ms.Sonia Ushirogochi was the Adjudicator from Guinness World Records to present the award certificate to Most Venerable Luang Por Dhattajivo.
The afternoon session was the presentation of 41st Path of Progress Contest Award. There were 20 awards for the contest participation of 400,000 students. In this event, the presentation of 15 World-PEC Awards was also arranged for its 17th batch at the Meditation Assembly Hall of Wat Phra Dhammakaya. Representatives from various Buddhist organizations within and outside Thailand, together with representatives from private and government sectors and educational institutions, presented the awards to the winners. The night ceremonies were the circumambulation of the Maha Dhammakaya Cetiya, the lighting of over 100,000 lanterns in homage to the Buddha and the celebration of achieving 6,152,001,250 rounds of Dhammacakka chanting.
“Wat Phra Dhammakaya was established on 20 February 1970 or Magha Puja Day. This day marks the 54th Anniversary of Wat Phra Dhammakaya. This year, the activities of the temple on Magha Puja Day were participated by many senior Buddhist monks and Buddhist leaders from 22 foreign countries, which are U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Columbia, Chile, Brazil, Italy, Germany, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Lao, Myanmar, and Cambodia. There were representatives from many government and private sectors and educational institutions to present the Awards of Path of Progress Contest and World Peace Ethics Contest to the winners, such as Bangkok’s Primary Educational Service Area Office, Suphanburi’s Primary Educational Service Area Office, Co-operative Academic Institute, Faculty of Economics-Kasetsart university, Lampang Rajabhat University, Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University, Bangkokthonburi University and Pathumthani Chamber of Commerce”, said Venerable Prakrusamu Sanitwong.
