On 20 June 2026, at a meeting hall of Hotel NH Berlin Alexanderplatz in Germany, Most Venerable Phrapromwachirapanyajarn (Pali scholar of level 9), abbot of Wat Ratcha Orasaram Ratchaworawiharn, presided over the 19^th/2026 UTSE (The Union of Thai Sanghas in Europe) meeting. UTSE President Venerable Phraratwachirasasanavithes, together with 125 abbots and UTSE members, participated in this meeting. Additionally, more than 300 laypeople including Mr.Chaiyakorn Kiatphongsarn (minister counsellor) as representative of the Royal Thai Embassy in Berlin, Dhammaduta monks from other continents and representatives from Buddhist organizations, also attended the meeting.

The UTSE meeting had a resolution to present “The Buddhist UTSE Award” to Most Venerable Phrapromwachirapanyajarn and Most Venerable Phrapromwachirodom (ecclesiastical chief of Region 10 and abbot of Wat Wat Moli Lokayaram Ratchaworawihan) for their outstanding contributions to the promotion of Buddhism in Thailand and abroad. Additionally, the UTSE held an election for the 10th committee board (for the 2026-2031 term), and the meeting passed a resolution to nominate Venerable Phraratwachirasasanavithes as President of UTSE for the second term. Moreover, the meeting elected many senior monks to work in different important positions :

• Venerable Phravithesbhavanadham (abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya Bavaria) was nominated as “Associate President of UTSE”.
• Venerable Phrakhruvithespanyakorn (abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya Schwarzwald) was nominated as “Board Committee”.
• Venerable Phramaha Nokorn Sutratano (abbot of Wat Buddha Heilbronn) was nominated as “Public Relations Committee”.
• Venerable Phramaha Virat Chanesako, Ph.D. (Pali scholar of level 9) was nominated as “Secretary to Committee Board” for the second term.

The UTSE was founded in 2006 with the main objective of acting as the center to direct the policy of Buddhism propagation and protect the rights of Dhammaduta monks in Europe in accordance with monastic discipline and international laws.

On 17 June 2026, Pathum Thani Governor Ekawit Mee-Phian, presided over the Sattamavara (seventh-day) merit-making ceremony for the passing of HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati and Venerable Phrakhruvijit Ar-Pha-Korn, ecclesiastical chief of Khlong Luang district and abbot of Wat Sawang Phop, was the monastic chairman at Plook Sattha 2 Building of Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani province.

After the monastic chanting, the laypeople chairman presented the requisites and robes to the monks. Then Venerable Phrkhrupaladrattanaveerawat, advisor to ecclesiastical chief of Pathum Thani province and abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, led all laypeople in practicing meditation to dedicate merit to the princess. This event was attended by officials from government sectors and local administrative organizations, police, military personnel, representatives from private sectors and Wat Phra Dhammakaya and residents of Khlong Luang district.

As the Cabinet had a resolution for all government sectors to organize religious ceremonies on occasions of the 7th day, 15th day, 50th day and 100th day of the princess’s passing. These ceremonies will take place within Thailand and in abroad. The Ministry of Interior disseminated the operational guidelines to all provinces nationwide. Simultaneously, the Sangha Supreme Council approved the Buddhist clergy nationwide to participate in religious ceremonies, chanting, and meditation practice to dedicate merit to the princess. All Thais are invited to join the religious ceremonies nationwide to express their respect and gratitude for the princess’s contributions to the country.

On 14 June 2026, at Wat Phra Dhammakaya Belgium, Most Venerable Phrapromwachirapanyajarn (Pali scholar of level 9), abbot of Wat Ratcha Orasaram Ratchaworawiharn, was the preceptor for the mass ordination of 38 ordinands from 13 countries (Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Czech Republic, France, Austria, Denmark, England, Italy, Norway and Thailand). More than 200 parents/relatives of ordinands eagerly attended the ordination ceremony.

The international ordination was initiated by Luang Por Dhammajayo. He has a strong desire for all human beings worldwide to have their own inner refuge through meditation, the pathway to global peace based on the concept “The outer peace through the inner peace”.  

Additionally, the foreign monks are religious heirs and become a powerful group to prolong the lifespan of Buddhism. This mass ordination has been organized for 11 consecutive years and the training period for this ordination is during 8-24 June 2026. The ordination training is conducted in 3 languages : English, German and Dutch. The trainers are Dhammaduta monks from Thailand and Europe with more than 10 years of monastic training experiences. All international monks will be trained of the Buddha’s teachings, monastic discipline and meditation practice.

Thailand entered a period of national mourning, following the passing of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati at the age of 47.

On 13 June 2026, at Khlong Luang District Office in Pathum Thani province, Ms. Apisra Ket-In,  Khlong Luang district chief, was the laypeople chairman for the funeral bathing ceremony and paid tribute before the portrait of Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha.

In this event, Khlong Luang District Chief paid respect in front of the princess’s portrait, signed the condolence register, lighted the incense and candles and participated in the funeral bathing ceremony before the princess’s portrait.

Mr. Ong-Ard Not Dhamma-Nitra (advisor to Provincial Red Cross Chapter of Pathum Thani), officials from government sectors and local administrative organizations, police, soldiers, village headmen, subdistrict headmen, representatives from private sectors and Wat Phra Dhammakaya and residents of Khlong Luang district took part in the funeral bathing ceremony before her portrait. All attendees expressed their loyalty and gratitude to the princess for her lifelong public service to the country.

On 5 June 2026, at Ratchamongkol Meeting Hall of Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi in Pathum Thani province, the Association of Buddhist Benefactors in Thailand collaborated with 9 Buddhist organizations to present “the Ashoka Pillar Award for Moral Leaders” in order to honor monastic and lay awardees for their sacrifice and dedication to driving the spread of morality as the global role models for Buddhists throughout the world.

For the award presentation, Most Venerable Somdet Phraputthajarn (committee member of Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand and abbot of Wat Traimit Witthayaram Worawihan) was the monastic chairman for the committee of organizing this award presentation. Most Venerable Phrapromwachirathibodi (abbot of Wat Mahathatu Yuwaraj Rangsarit) and President of Maha Chulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University Council were the committee of monastic candidate screening while Gen. Thongchai Kua-Sakul (chairman of the Association of Buddhist Benefactors in Thailand) and President of the Council of “Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi” were the committee of lay candidate screening.

In this event, Most Venerable Somdet Phratheerayanmuni (committee member of Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand and abbot of Wat Depsirindrawas Ratchaworawihan) was the monastic chairman and Gen. Chawalit Pukphasuk (privy councilor) was the laypeople chairman. In 2026, the committee of screening qualified candidates and organizations within Thailand and from abroad selected 186 awardees with the outstanding contribution to Buddhism, society and the country, for example Most Venerable Phrapromvachirarangsi (abbot of Wat Bavornnives Viharn), Most Venerable Phrathepwachiradhamsophon (Luang Poo Sila), Gen. Boonsin Padklang, Mr. Boonchai Chokwattana, Mr.Methanee Buranasiri etc.

Venerable Phrapanyagara was the awardee from the project “Walk for Peace”. He, together with 13 monks, was well known on social media platforms for his pilgrimage of 3,700 kilometers across the USA within 3 months. He strictly followed the monastic routine with the simple living and almsgiving from laypeople to campaign for the inner peace and the global peace.

Venerable Phrakhrusamu Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, director of Communication Department and assistant abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, was one of the awardees. He has dedicated himself to propagating Buddhism continuously by integrating new technology and modern communication tools in order to make the Buddha’s teachings and the inner peace methods more accessible to the youth to ensure equal opportunity for all.

“The Ashoka Pillar Award for Moral Leaders, he received, is the achievement of all Wat Phra Dhammakaya supporters and the result of continuous good deeds. It is like the powerful encouragement to drive the spread of morality to the public. All these virtues are made possible by the unity of Wat Phra Dhammakaya community, under the leadership of Luang Por Dhammajayo (the leader in pursuing perfections) and Venerable Phrakrupaladrattanaveerawat (abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya), volunteers and all temple supporters. The proactive strategy of Buddhism propagation under the network of Wat Phra Dhammakaya remains firm on vigorously working for Buddhism, aims for the prosperity of Buddhism by inspiring people to walk in the path of merit, promotes outer peace through inner peace and prolongs the lifespan of Buddhism. Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and rejoice in the merit of the entire committee, especially General Thongchai Kua-Sakul for granting this honorable award to me,” said Venerable Phrakhrusamu Sanitwong.

Venerable Phrakhruvijit Ar-Pha-Korn, ecclesiastical chief of Khlong Luang district, presided over the blessing ceremony and almsgiving to the monks on occasion of Queen Suthida’s 48^th Birthday Anniversary on 3 June 2026.

In this event, Khlong Luang District Chief Apisra Ket-In was the laypeople chairman and Venerable Phrakhrupaladrattanaveerawat, abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, led all laypeople and monastic community in a meditation session to honor Their Majesties the King and Queen. To express their loyalty and commemorate Her Majesty’s contributions, this event was attended by Mr. Ong-Ard Not Dhammanitra, government officials, soldiers, police and representatives from local administrative organizations, educational institutions, foundations, private sectors and Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

On occasion of Her Majesty’s fourth-cycle birthday anniversary, the government organized celebration activities both centrally and regionally for the public to express their loyalty and offer well-wishes to Her Majesty. These activities included the religious blessing ceremony, the almsgiving to the monks, the ceremony of laying flower trays, the lantern lighting in honor of Her Majesty and the volunteer activities for public assistance.

On 31 May 2026, Venerable Phrakhrusamu Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, director of Communication Department and assistant abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya related that Vesak Day is an important  day of Buddhism, marking the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and attainment to complete nirvana. This day is officially recognized by the United Nations as the International Day of Vesak on 15 December 1999 and all Buddhists throughout the world organized activities to commemorate the great compassion of the Buddha.

At Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani province, over 10,000 Buddhists jointly offered alms to the monks, practiced meditation and offered food to the monastic community in the morning. The afternoon session was the lifetime ordination ceremony for 19 ordinands at the main chapel of Wat Phra Dhammakaya. The preceptor was Most Venerable Phrapromwachirapanyajarn (Pali scholar of level 9), the abbot of Wat Ratcha Orasaram Ratchaworawiharn. In the evening, there was the lighting of lanterns, arranged in the images of the significant events of the Buddha: his birth, enlightenment, and attainment to nirvana at the ground of Maha Dhammakaya Cetiya, followed by the circumambulation of the cetiya and the celebration for achieving 8,415,000,000 rounds of Dhammacakka recited in honor of the Buddha on Vesak Day.

In foreign countries, the monastic representatives of Wat Phra Dhammakaya branches across 5 continents attended the Vesak Festival of international Buddhist communities from 15 countries (including the USA, Singapore, South Africa, Indonesia, Nepal, Switzerland, South Korea, Vietnam, Australia, Sri Lanka, China, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Italy) and took part in their activities to honor the Buddha. The celebration of Vesak Day is not only a core part of Buddhist culture but also the promotion of global peace through the Buddha’s teachings.

On 30 May 2026, at Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani province, the Religious Studies Department organized a blessing ceremony as a congratulatory event for the monks and novices who achieved the 6^th and 9^th Pali levels. They were awarded certificates and talipot fans. In this event, Venerable Phrakhrupaladrattanaveerawat, advisor to ecclesiastical chief of Pathum Thani province, abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya and director of Religious Studies Department presided over this ceremony, which was attended by the monastic community and laypeople of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

The students who successfully passed the 6^th and 9^th levels of Pali studies were officially nominated by the King in the royal religious ceremony on Vesak Day 2026 at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha in the Grand Palace.  19 Pali students from Wat Phra Dhammakaya achieved the 6^th & 9^th Pali levels (11 students for the 6^th Pali level and 8 students for the 9^th Pali level).

Venerable Phrakhruvijit Ar-Pha-Korn, ecclesiastical chief of Khlong Luang district, was the monastic chairman for the blessing ceremony. Khlong Luang District Chief Apisra Ket-In acted as the laypeople chairman to announce the official nomination of the 9^th Pali scholars of Wat Phra Dhammakaya while Mr. Ong-Ard Not Dhammanitra announced the official nomination for the 6^th Pali scholars.

The achievement of Pali students of Wat Phra Dhammakaya comes from the policy of Pali studies promotion according to the intention of Laung Por Dhammajayo, aiming to build a true temple, train monks to be true monks and train laypeople to be truly virtuous. He has dedicated himself to propagating Buddhism by disseminating the Buddha’s teachings to the public and promoting Pali studies among the monastic community in Thailand. According to a speech of Laung Por Dhammajayo, the Pali scholars are a powerful group to support the monastic community for the sustainable prosperity of Buddhism in the future.

On 28 May 2026, Venerable Phrakhrusamu Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, director of Communication Department and assistant abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya stated that Thai monks jointly celebrated “Canadian Buddhist Heritage Month” with more than 500 Buddhists and monks from 56 Buddhist organizations of all denominations throughout Canada on occasion of International Vesak Day at the Parliament in Canada.

In this event, Venerable Phrakhrusawanpatvithes (abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya Toronto) and Venerable Phramaha Suksanti Sapaphaso (abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya Vancouver) participated in the blessing ceremony with other Buddhist leaders from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, China and Myanmar.

A highlight of this event was the press conference on “The Role of Buddhism in Canadian Society”. Additionally, the activities of the Buddha image bathing and the “National Peace Walk” were organized for all attendees in order to promote peace in a multi-cultural society. Another objective of the event is to encourage the Canadian Government to declare every “May” as the month of “Canadian Buddhist Heritage”.

The gathering of international Buddhist communities reflects the unity of all Buddhists in Canada and represents the Buddha’s teachings as the refuge of all human beings regardless of their culture or race and the path to global peace.