On 28 July 2026, at Kaew-Sa-Ra-Phad-Nuek 2 Meeting Hall of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Most Venerable Phrathepwachiradhammajarn, the ecclesiastical chief of Pathum Thani province and abbot of Wat Phrayoondhammaram, presided over the activities of monastic blessing, meditation practice and almsgiving to the monks on the auspicious occasion of the King’s birthday anniversary.

In this event, Ms. Apisra Ket-In, Khlong Luang district chief, was the laypeople chairperson. She lighted the incense and candles to pay homage to the Triple Gem and offered a raft of incense and candles before the King’s portrait, followed by the precept giving of the monks and monastic blessing. Then Venerable Phrakhrupaladrattanaveerawat, abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, led all participants in the meditation practice to accumulate merit as the blessing for the King. After the monastic blessing, the officials of local government organizations jointly offered the monastic essentials and robe to the monks before joining the almsgiving to the monastic community.

The ceremony was attended by 1,000 monks from Wat Phra Dhammakaya and many senior monks of Pathum Thani including Most Venerable Phraratkittimethee, assistant ecclesiastical chief of Pathum Thani province and abbot of Wat Khian Khet (a royal temple) and Venerable Phrakhruvijit Ar-Pha-Korn, ecclesiastical chief of Khlong Luang district.

In the evening, at Plook-Sattha Building of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Ms. Apisra Ket-In led all local government officials, representatives from private sectors, managerial staff of educational institutions, laypeople of Wat Phra Dhammakaya and residents of Khlong Luang district in laying flower trays before the King’s portrait, lighting candles to offer well-wishes to His Majesty and jointly singing songs to express their loyalty to the royal family.

Wat Phra Dhammakaya is honored by Pathum Thani Provincial Office and Tha Khlong Town Municipality Office to organize an exhibition for the 19th Contest of Multi Skills for the Central Region or “Tha Khlong Vichakan – Learning Plus” from 20-23 July 2026 at Tha Khlong Municipality School 1 in Pathum Thani province.

This event is the academic contest for the schools under the supervision of local government organizations in the central region of Thailand. Approximate 15,000 attendees including officials of local government organizations, managerial staff of educational institutions and teachers and students of municipal schools across 16 provinces of central region participate in this event. The contest involves 24 categories and 108 sub-items of all academic groups and provides a platform for students to show their potentials and capabilities. It also serves as a creative academic exchange for participating students.

In the contest, Wat Phra Dhammakaya hosts the exhibition “Virtual Reality Experience”, featuring “the World of Dhamma”. The visitors will learn from the real experiences via the virtual reality technology. It’s the integration of digital innovation and principles of Buddhism.

This exhibition is located in the 82^nd Anniversary of Luang Por Dhammajayo Building where the exhibition “Truth of Life” presents the contents of life values, law of Kamma, true goals of life and development of quality life in accordance with the principles of Buddhism through the modern presentation technology for the visitors of all ages.

All managerial staff of educational institutions, teachers, students and interested people are invited to experience a new concept of Dhamma learning via the virtual reality technology at booth B 11-12 of Wat Phra Dhammakaya from 20-23 July 2026.

Assigned by Most Venerable Phraprommoli (abbot of Wat Paknam, committee member of Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand and chairman of the Regulatory Office for Overseas Dhammaduta Bhikkus) and Most Venerable Phradhamwachiramethee (ecclesiastical chief of Region 1 and associate chairman of the Regulatory Office for Overseas Dhammaduta Bhikkus), Venerable Phrametheewachirabundit (abbot of Wat Yai-Paen and assistant to the chairman of the Regulatory Office for Overseas Dhammaduta Bhikkus) presided over the 4^th/2026 Thai Dhammaduta Union in East Asia (UTEA) Meeting from 22-25 July 2026 at Wat Phra Dhammakaya Mongolia in Ulaanbaatar.

In this event, Venerable Phramaha Adidech Satiwaro (secretary to associate chairman of the Regulatory Office for Overseas Dhammaduta Bhikkus), Mr. Kritsakorn Sanitphakdee (inspector of the National Office of Buddhism) and Mr. Thanakorn Juidit (director of the International Relations and Buddhist Academic Sub-division) participated in the meeting. The senior Dhammaduta monks from different countries including Venerable Phrakhru Sitthirattanavithes (president of the Union of Thai Dhammaduta Bhikkus in Korea), Venerable Phrakhru Vithes Assavanurak (associate president of the Union of Thai Dhammaduta Bhikkus in China), Venerable Phrakhru Vithes Vachirasophit (associate president of the Union of Thai Dhammaduta Bhikkus in Mongolia) and committee members of the Union of Thai Dhammaduta Bhikkus in China, Chinese-Taipei, South Korea, Vietnam and Mongolia also attended the meeting. All attendees took part in the chanting ceremony and meditation practice to dedicate merit to the Queen Mother and HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati.

“Most Venerable Phraprommoli sincerely admires and rejoices in the merit of all Dhammaduta monks for their dedication to propagating Buddhism abroad for the benefit of all humanity. Additionally, they are the role models of living a simple life and properly integrate the principles of Buddhism with the local culture and tradition,” Venerable Phrametheewachirabundit conveyed the message of Most Venerable Phraprommoli.

The meeting topics involved the progress of temple development to support the merit-making activities for both Thais and foreigners, the guideline of work regulation in the EU and the feedback of all Dhammaduta monks including the obstacles of Buddhist propagation for the Regulatory Office for Overseas Dhammaduta Bhikkus to set the proper policy of Buddhist propagation for Dhammaduta monks in the future.

“All Dhammaduta monks should perform their duties carefully and comply with the laws and regulations in each country as it is a sensitive issue when working with the foreign government and local communities. All monks are required to comply with monastic discipline while adhering to the laws and regulations of each country in propagating Buddhism. Moreover, they should be knowledgeable on Thai laws and regulations of the Sangha Supreme Council of Thailand regarding the Buddhist propagation as well,” Venerable Phrametheewachirabundit communicated the message of Most Venerable Phradhamwachiramethee.

Dimitri Marx is a prominent Swiss slalom kayakist and a leading international competitor in Kayak Cross. He is renowned for his pioneering techniques and explosive speed, particularly in Kayak Cross (formerly Extreme Slalom). According to his official profile with the International Canoe Federation, his major achievements include:

World Champion: Secured two U23 World Championship titles in Kayak Cross.

World Cup Victory: Won supreme gold at the 2023 ICF World Cup in Prague.

European Success: Secured multiple medals at the European Championships.

National Success: Crowned the Swiss National Champion in 2024.

After he attended a 7-day meditation retreat at Pai International Meditation Center, he shared his meditation experience in his social media and expected that it would be beneficial to others. The following is his message in Instagram : dimitri_marx98.

“7 days of learning from the monks

Because I’m still in the recovery process of my shoulder, I wanted to work on my mental strength and decided to learn how to meditate.

During my time here, I met some of the happiest, kindest, most genuine, and mentally strongest people I have ever encountered.

They introduced me to the practice of meditation and helped me understand what inner peace truly means.

Their goal is to contribute to a more peaceful and compassionate world.

The insights I gained here will not only support me in sports but also in many aspects of life.

This place is a unique retreat where people live in close connection with nature.

I believe it is an experience that everyone should have at least once in their lifetime. @paimeditationcenter”

On 14 July 2026, Venerable Phrakhrusamu Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, director of Communication Department and assistant abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya related that Wat Phra Dhammakaya Seattle regularly organizes “the Full Moon Meditation” on the full moon days for Americans and interested individuals, regardless of their race and religion. This meditation session aims to promote the meditation practice, the knowledge of Buddhist principles and the cultural exchange.

The session started with the preaching and the guideline of basic meditation practice of the teaching monks. The training was broadcasted live to other branches and meditation centers of Wat Phra Dhammakaya. Then all attendees started the meditation practice by focusing their mind with relaxation and consciousness. After their practice, they shared their meditation experience that they felt more relaxed and concentrated. At night, all participants lighted the lanterns and joined walking meditation before the session ended with Thai supper and small talk related to meditation, Buddhism and Thai culture.

Wat Phra Dhammakaya Seattle has organized such activity continuously to train the locals on meditation and the principles of Buddhism while promoting the cultural exchange among attendees of all races and religions. This helps Americans gain a better understanding of Buddhism as the means of Buddhism propagation in the US.

On 12 July 2026, Venerable Phrakhrusamu Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, director of Communication Department and assistant abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya related that Wat Phra Dhammakaya has promoted the Buddhist propagation at international level through the international ordination program for foreigners. This ordination program encourages the foreign monks to study and comply with the principles of Buddhism and develops religious heirs to spread the Buddha’s teachings in their country.

The 21^st International Dhammadayada Ordination Program (IDOP) in Chinese version was organized on 11 July 2026 at the chapel of Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Pathum Thani province. There were 29 foreign ordinands from China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. Amid the peaceful atmosphere, the ordinands’ parents were delighted to join the ordination ceremony. The ceremony started with the circumambulation of the chapel, followed by the ceremony of asking for forgiveness from parents, the offering of monk’s robe and alms bowl and the ordination ceremony in the chapel.

Before ordination, many foreigners have a query what the monk’s life and routines are like. All foreign monks are trained on the Buddha’s teachings, monastic discipline and meditation practice. This ordination program helps develop religious heirs to propagate Buddhism abroad.

On July 7, 2026, the Dhammachai International Research Institute (DIRI), New Zealand, and The Ancient India and Iran Trust (AIIT), United Kingdom, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the Dictionary of Buddhist Sogdian Project.

This signing ceremony was held on the auspicious occasion of the 4th anniversary merit -making ceremony for the late Phra Suthamyanavidesa, Vi. (Sutham Sudhammo), the founding Executive Chairman of DIRI, who played a vital role in laying the foundation and promoting international Buddhist research.

In alignment with green energy initiatives and to reduce environmental impact by minimizing international travel, the MOU was signed online by both organizations. Representing DIRI in Thailand was its President, Phra Maha Sudham Suratano (Pāli Studies Level 9, Ph.D.). Representing the AIIT in the United Kingdom was its Chairman, Professor Almut Hintze, alongside Professor Nicholas Sims-Williams, an AIIT executive board member and leading expert in the Sogdian language and historical documents, who served as a witness.

The Dictionary of Buddhist Sogdian Project is highly valuable project for Buddhism, Linguistic and Silk Road historical studies. Focusing on Buddhist Sogdian texts provides crucial evidence of the cultural and religious transmission between Buddhism and Chariness in early Central Asia. This project will be presented in three languages: Sogdian, English, and Chinese.

The project’s working group comprises world-leading scholars, including Professor Imre Galambos, an expert in Chinese Buddhist texts and Dunhuang manuscripts; Professor Nicholas Sims-Williams, a specialist in the Sogdian language and Iranian studies; and Professor Yutaka Yoshida, an expert in Sogdian Buddhism and the transcription of Chinese texts into the Sogdian script.

The Dictionary of Buddhist Sogdian will span approximately 600 pages, available in Hardback, e-Book, and Gold Open Access formats. It is planned for publication in partnership with Reichert Verlag (Wiesbaden, Germany) this work aims to serve the international academic community, offering invaluable insights for scholars, students, and general readers interested in Buddhism, linguistics, and the history of the Silk Road.

This corroboration marks another significant milestone for DIRI in establishing an international academic network and supporting the study of Buddhism through primary source evidence, ancient documents, and ancient language – key elements in promoting Buddhist research toward global recognition.

The Dhammachai International Research Institute (DIRI) wishes to express its sincere gratitude to The Ancient India and Iran Trust, Professor Almut Hintze, Professor Nicholas Sims-Williams, and all involved parties for their invaluable support of this significant academic collaboration.

Reference : https://www.diri.ac.nz

The 1,195 senior monks from 77 provinces across Thailand attended a meditation training at World Peace Valley in Nokhon Ratchasima province to prepare the Kathina project for 30,000 temples throughout Thailand, aiming to strengthen the unity of the monastic community in the country.

On 28 June 2026, Venerable Phrakhrusamu Sanitwong Wuttiwangso, director of Communication Department and assistant abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, related that the meditation practice of 1,195 senior monks across Thailand during 26 June – 2 July 2026 aimed to promote morality, concentration and wisdom for senior monks to prepare the Kathina project for 30,000 temples nationwide.

On 27 June 2026, Most Venerable Phrathepsimaporn, ecclesiastical chief of Nakorn Ratchasima province and abbot of Wat Bung (a royal temple), presided over the opening ceremony of this project and Venerable Phrakhrusamu Thanin Punyanantho, assistant abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, reported to the monastic chairman that the objective of this project was to enhance the meditation practice, the study of monastic discipline and the potential development in propagating Buddhism for senior monks to prepare themselves for the challenging missions of Buddhism.

The 1,195 training attendees were senior monks, holding the positions of ecclesiastical chiefs at provincial, district and sub-district levels. An additional 442 laypeople and monks from all regions of Thailand also assisted the project. One of the joining senior monks has been in the monkhood for 57 years.

On 26 June 2026, Venerable Thavalsak Yatisakko, a representative of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, attended the opening ceremony of the cardiac catheterization laboratory at Thammasat Advanced Medical Center (THAMC) in Pathum Thani province.

Previously, Venerable Phrakhrupaladrattanaveerawat, abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, had been invited by Dr. Jittinad Hawanon, M.D., director of Thammasat Advanced Medical Center, to visit the hospital. As Wat Phra Dhammakaya realized the benefits of the highly effective treatment for heart disease patients, the temple and its disciples jointly provided 40 million baht to build a cardiac catheterization & hybrid operating room on the fifth floor of THAMC.

This financial support aims to enhance the potential of THAMC with the high technology of modern medical treatment for heart disease, especially for the complicated treatment in a hybrid operating room. This highly effective treatment helps reduce risks and ensure the patients’ safety.

“Wat Phra Dhammakaya has continuously committed to promoting public assistance activities along with propagating Buddhism and the medical support is widely beneficial for the public to get access to the quality treatment,” Venerable Phramaha Nopporn Punyachayo (Pali scholar of level 9), assistant abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, said.

“The donation of Wat Phra Dhammakaya contributes significantly to the potential development of Thammasat Advanced Medical Center to increase its capacity of patient treatment for the rising number of patients and to ensure access to the high standard medical treatment for the public,“ Associate Professor Jittinad Hawanon said.