Join in Casting The Phramongkolthepmuni Statue in one ton of solid gold on Thursday, 10th October 2013,
at the Dhammakaya Temple, Pathum Thani.
Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro) dedicated his life in order to rediscover the “wisdom of Dhammakaya”, the key to the Enlightenment of Lord Buddha for the benefit of Buddhists worldwide. He taught us how to practice bringing the mind to a standstill at the centre of the body to attain Dhammakaya, the Body of Enlightenment of all living beings, in order that these Teachings may once again announce to the world that stopping the mind is the secret of success.
Great opportunities sometimes repeat themselves
Still imprinted on all of our minds are the historic pictures of one hundred-thousand disciples of the Dhammakaya Tradition gathered at the World Dhammakaya Centre on Magha Puja Day 25 March 1994 – when in recognition of our huge debt of gratitude to the one who discovered the teachings of Dhammakaya, one hundred-thousand devotees with united strength and hearts, created an statues of Phramongkolthepmuni in solid gold as an object of veneration and symbol of the teachings of the “wisdom of Dhammakaya”. For those who missed the chance to assist in the casting of the 1994 Golden Image, the good news is that a new image will be cast on 10 October 2013.
Meditation Master worth His Weight in Gold
Ven. Phramongkolthepmuni was a role-model monk and a compassionate and dedicated meditation master. Instead of going into the forest and enjoying a reclusive life after his greatest rediscovery, he chose the difficult path of freely sharing what he rediscovered with a countless number of interested people – despite harsh criticisms and several attempts on his life. He tirelessly taught what he rediscovered, studied and practiced throughout his life to anyone who wished to learn. He clarified peoples’ doubts about the laws of karma, merit and demerit. In his old age despite sickness he never ceased to teach and to help ease peoples’ miseries. Even on his deathbed, he offered to answer questions and clarified any doubts that people might have had about Lord Buddha’s teachings and the Dhammakaya Meditation Tradition.
Ven. Phramongkolthepmuni also trained monks, novices and nuns to teach Dhammakaya Meditation so that many of them became experienced meditation teachers and served as living testaments to the enlightenment of the Lord Buddha. Without Ven. Phramongkolthepmuni’s rediscovery, we could never have known about the Dhammakaya, the centre of the body and the seventh base of the mind. Without him, there wouldn’t have been overseas Dhammakaya meditation centres and the Dhammakaya Temple. The international spread of Dhammakaya Meditation in our own generation was something, Phramongkolthepmuni both prophesied inspired.
Passing on the Heritage
On the occasion of the lat Ven. Phramongkolthepmuni’s 129th birthday anniversary, It is an auspicious time for everyone to accumulate great merit by casting the seven statues of Phramongkolthepmuni. This statues will be used in the Dhammachai Dhutanga, the path of the Great Master, which will be organized every year in January. There will be over a thousand of Dhutanga monks taking part in the Dhammachai Dhutanga leading by the golden casting statues of the Great Master. Moreover, everyday, more than a hundred thousand of populace will come to join the welcoming of Dhutanga monks. Hence, they will also have a chance to pay respect to the golden casting statues of the Great Master that all of us have assisted in casting.
Whoever has seen the golden statues of the Great Master, their reverence will be developed. They would study the Great Master’s biography and his teachings until they are finally attaining Dhammakaya. We, in the mean of the owner of the merit in casting golden image, will yield countless merits. The casting ceremony will be held on Thursday, 10th October B.E.2556.
Why Solid Gold?
One hundred or one thousand years from now, people will ask why the image of Phramongkolthepmuni was cast entirely of solid gold realizing he must have been a very important person to receive such honor and veneration. Their quest for the answer will lead to the study of his life, his greatest rediscovery and the Dhammakaya Meditation Tradition. The casting of his gold image is not merely a material expression of gratitude for his compassion and sacrifice or a monument of love for the much-revered Bodhisattva. His gold image will also serve as a historical evidence of his existence and most important rediscovery while his timeless teachings will remain a precious legacy to the world, continuing to bring peace and happiness to humankind.
Resulting Merit
Ven. Phramongkolthepmuni was no ordinary monk but a benevolent Bodhisattva who wished to help people discover the true source of happiness and to end suffering. He refrained from criticizing anyone, including his accusers and detractor, and even requested the court to waive punishment for a ruffian who attempted to assassinate him. He once said “We monks must not fight back, or run away and in so doing win every time.” The Lord Buddha had said such truly dedicated monks yield the most fertile “field of merit” because they spread virtue and teach many others to do the same.
The gold statues of the Great Master symbolize the prosperity of Buddhism and importance of Dhmamakaya meditation that should be passed on to future generations. They will also be priceless spiritual monuments for all disciples who practice going on pilgrimages from place to place in order to learn more about the path he followed in life. The seven gold statues of the Great Master will be assured as ‘wonders of the spiritual world’ which urge everyone to purify their mind by practicing meditation and living a virtuous life like him.
Contributing to the gold casting of his image, forms auspicious karmic ties with Phramongkolthepmuni, ties that will attract virtuous people to our lives and ensure that we will be reborn as Buddhists in our future lives. The resulting merit will serve as a magnet, bringing us success, wealth, moral strength and the ability to overcome obstacles. By contributing, we will inspire respect from others, and will be reborn in good families of high social status and good repute. Above all, this merit will enable us to discover our own Dhammakaya with ease.
Fund raising for this project will conclude at the Phramongkolthepmuni’s birthday at Wat Phra Dhammakaya( Thailand) on Thursday, 10th October B.E.2556. You are cordially invited to join the ceremony and become a part of this golden age of inner peace.
For more information, please contact your nearest Dhammakaya Meditation Centre or call (662) 831-1000
