The happiness of life

The Lord Buddha blessed us with his knowledge to verify what is the true happiness in life. He defined happiness in this world onto two categories.

  • Samisa Sukha; the happiness that depends on the material possessions such as humans (boyfriends, girlfriends, sons or daughters and beloved ones), animals and objects. This type of happiness is impermanent and will eventually bring suffering into life. The sufferings are in form of attachment, worry, jealousy, pride, pain, disappointment, etc.
  • Niramisa Sukha; the happiness achieved through the Dhamma by means of insight meditation. This is the only form of true happiness. Ones will free from attachment and that point to the path of eternal happiness, Nirvana.

Without the teaching of the Lord Buddha, the search for the true happiness would be a difficult endeavor indeed. Even the Lord Buddha himself spent six arduous years to discover the niramisa sukha, the true happiness. Finally, he concluded that one who lives worldly mundane walks on a narrow and uncomfortable path, containing of daily sufferings, clouded from the truth. By embracing Dhamma and Vinaya, true happiness and disciplines, one is bathed in the light of truth and happiness. So, one must shave head, don saffron robes and ordain into a life free from worldly possessions.

Duties and Responsibilities for Monks

The main purpose of ordination is to free one’s life from worldly commitments and worries. So, they will have the opportunity to commit themselves to meditation and break away from the shackles of desire until they can find the true happiness and path to Nirvana. To be free from worldly desire, the monk must fulfill all required and recommended duties based on tenets clearly specified by the Lord Buddha.
The Lord Buddha required monks to follow the Kiccavatta (Duties) which are clearly described in the Scriptures. The kiccavatta(s) are described as a MUST and SHOULD of daily or regularly performing activities. If those who ordain as Buddhist monk perform these duties regularly, they will increase inner morality and their mind will be strengthened. The duties will help them to be free from worldly desire. The duties and responsibilities have been concluded as followings;

  1. Almsround
  2. Temple Cleaning
  3. Confession
  4. Chanting and Meditation
  5. Reflection
  6. Caring for the Preceptor
  7. Exercise and Self Maintenance
  8. Dhamma and Monastic Studies
  9. Caring for Temple Properties
  10. Behavior Worthy of Respect

Once in a man’s life

Wat Phra Dhammakaya was established to carrying on the legacy handed down from our ancestors. Its mission is to have the temple to be a place that suitable for providing an appropriate training of ordination program. This program will be arranged yearly during the rain retreat, the Vassa; it is the most appropriate time for monks who want to learn the Dhamma and have self development. This year, the temple is ready to have 500 gentlemen to ordain as Buddhist monks. The ordained ones will be taught how to accomplish to true happiness and ready to be a respectful monk. Even tough some of them choose to be in the path of worldly life; they can use the knowledge which learnt during ordination for daily life’s benefit. This year is an opportunity not only the Dhammakaya center in Thailand but also for international centers like Gothenburg, Sweden, too. Please contact your nearest Dhamakaya Meditation center and be ready to become a person of ceremony. Rejoice in your merit.