From 2nd January till 31st January 2019, Wat Phra Dhammakaya have organise 1,135 monks go to the 6 memorials of the Grand master Phramongkolthepmuni and at the same time promotion Buddhism. When people could see many orderly and dignified bhikkhu. Those who have no faith in Buddhism will rise their faith, people who already have faith will be more firm. The following are the schedules on the period:
The monkhood is the most noble life. This bright path enable us to realize the danger in Samara, and could clearly see the suffering in the layman life. Because of the issues rise from the family life and career. Moreover, include the lack of times in perform good deeds and practices of our mind. In order to, attain Nirvana.
The monkhood is the life that away from the secular, could cast off all anxieties and focus on life of as a bhikkhu. The actions, speech and thoughts should conform to the identity of as a right monk, and maintain the calmness, grace and dignified, constantly cultivating the Sila, Samadhi and Panna.
Dhammayatra is one of the asceticism way of the Buddhist monks – Dhuta, which mean purification; enliven; discard. It also could be mean need to eliminate defilements and impurity of mind, abandon any unnecessary clothing, food, shelter, in order to refine the body and mind. In the ancient Buddhism, require the ordain monks not to focus on their own needs, at the same time content with little. Therefore, they regards the monks is to practice and accumulate merits. Dwelling, food are no need to worry, go for alms, able to receive the offers from the human and deva. The “3 sets of monk robe and one alms bowl” are the basic necessities for the practitioner. On the journey of pilgrimage, dressed to chill is necessary. Therefore, the Dhammayatra monks will only pack the necessities: A tent (a umbrella with a long handle & a mosquito netting around it‘s rim), a shoulder satchel, an alms bowl and a set of monk robe.
This round of the Dhammayatra have total 1135 monks participate in the event, start from 2nd Jan till 31st Jan‘2019. When the Dhammayatra monks reach every memorial locations, will have faithful devotees put one’s palms together devoutly and welcome them by sprinkling flower petals on their path of walk. This represent the at most noble respect to the Buddhism triple Gem. When they could see many orderly and dignified bhikkhu. Those who have no faith in Buddhism will rise their faith, people who already have faith will be more firm. During the Buddha era, this way of sprinkling flower petals as the welcome manner have already exist. This will let the Buddhists feel more contentment and blissful.
The 7th Dhammayatra with 1135 monks on the journey to the 6 memorials of the Grand master Phramongkolthepmuni, at the same time promotion Buddhism to the local society and public. There are total nine merits need to be mention:
- Four large alms offering ceremonies, for extending the long span of Buddhism ;
- Seven events on sprinkling flower petals to welcome the 1135 Dhammayatra monks, which is consider the most noble way to show respect to the triple Gem ;
- Three offering food ceremonies to Sangha from 102 temples, for support the Buddhism;
- Six large scale lantern lighting ceremonies, as the way to pay respect to the Lord Buddhas, the grand masters, and recollection the immerse grace of the triple gem.
- Supporting organize the other 50 over local temples Katina ceremony, for the maintance of those temples.
- Sincerely invite the local public to join the Dhammayatra monks by chanting the Dhammacakkappavaddana Sutta, the morning and night chanting, meditate, spreading loving kindness and in order to extend the life span of Buddhism together.
- When the local public and the Dhammayatra monks together, clean up their 50 over local temples.
- Provide the local schools top students with scholarships.
- Sincerely invite the local public to participate in the activities of “Love to ordain as a monk, keeping 5 precepts”.
The 6 memorial locations of the Grand master Phramongkolthepmuni :
- Lotus Land – The Great Master’s Birth Place
The Grand master Phramongkolthepmuni was born in the Song Phi Nong District of the Suphan Buri province, the location is surround by rivers, the terrain is very special, like a shape of lotus leaf, the area is about 20 rai (1 rai=1600km2).This is the place on the early days for the grand master to pursue prefections,all his disciples pull together to build a “Phramongkolthepmuni Memorial Hall”.Inside the memorial hall have place a golden status of the grand master,enable all the disciples to pay respect.And take him as model in term of the act in continuously pursue of prefections.
- Phramongkolthepmuni Memorial Hall (Bang Nang Taan Canal) – The Initial Vow for Lifelong Ordination Site
During the ancient time, the Nakhon Pathom Province was very prosperous. It is one of the oldest city in Thailand. It is also the very first place where the Buddhism is initially introduced from India. This city also have a Pali name “Nagara Pathama”, which the meaning is “the first city”.
At the age of 19 years old, in Buddhist Era year 2446 (Christian Era Year 1930).On the sail of the boat while doing trading business, due to the feeling of impermanence of the world through experiencing the encounter in a life endanger event, and understand the unreal of the real life. Then, the mind began to feel the dislike in the mundane. He sincerely wish for:”Please don’t let me dead before I could ordain as a monk, and wish that if I could ordain as monk, I would remain as a monk for life. And will never unfrock.”
- Wat Song pi nong – Place of Ordination
Wat Song pi nong was built in the Ayutthaya era, it have a rich historical background. According to speculation, it was initially built on Buddhist Era Year 2212 (Christian Era Year 1669). Now it is the local temple development model. The name of the temple is Wat Song pi nong. It originate from a legend, there was a pair of brotherhood elephants from wutong county. This county specializing in breeding royal elephants. During the dry season, these pair of elephants will came to these area to look for foods and due to this was their often walking path eventually form up this city.
The grand master at the age of 22 years old. That was on the Buddhist Era Year 2449(Christina Era Year 1906) the beginning of July, at the temple Wat Song pi nong of Suphan Buri Province. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk. His monastic name was Phra Sodh Candasaro.
4.Wat Bot bon – Dhammakaya Attainment Site
Wat Bot bon is located at Bangkuvieng Sub-district, Bang Kruai District of the Nonthaburi Province. It have long historical background. But it have been well maintained, it was the cohesion on the crystallization of wisdom from the Thailand old generation of artists. The background on the process of building the temple and the builder was not clear.
After ordain as a monk for 11 years, the grand master walk till Wat Bot bon for his Buddhist lent practice. During the next year, on the full moon day of 15 October of Buddhist Era Year 2460.When the grand master was practice meditation at the main shrine of the Wat Bot bon ,till finally he have attain the Dhammakaya within.
- Bang-pla Memorial Hall – First Dhammakaya Meditation Propagation Site
Wat Bang-pla is located at the Bang Len District of Nakhon Pathom province. This was a temple for the senior monks. The place was rich in history, but could not be trace, in term of the time of it built. But looking at it histories and legends, the temple should be built before the era of the Chakri dynasty, due to the temple is along Nakhon Chai Si River. Therefore, those who live at the Bang-pla river side, just call it the Bang-pla temple till now.
When the grand master attain the Dhammakaya within, in order to reach the goal of the ultimate of Dhamma. As he diligently and in-depth on the practice of Dhammakaya meditation. The more proficient he became. At the end of the Buddhist lent period, he took his left with the abbot of Wat Bot-bon and came to Wat Bang-pla. Due to when he was in his meditative state, he saw in Wat Bang-pla will have people could attain the Dhammakaya within too. Finally, under his elaborately guidance, there are 3 monks and 4 laymen attain their Dhammkaya within.
- The place of the inherit of the Dhammakaya Meditation –Wat Phra Dhammakaya Patumthani
In all the disciples of the grand master, Chandra Khonnokyoong is the one with most profound achievement in practicing the Dhammakaya Meditation. She have been praised by him with “ my daughter – Chandra, you are second to none.” After the grand master have pass away, Chandra have follow the instructions given by the grand master, continue to inherit the Dhammakaya Meditation method. Till, finally a young man who very passionate in the practice of meditation become one of her disciple, and learn the Dhammakaya meditation. Which also result with very profound achievement. Eventually, this outstanding disciple have selected the path of being a monk, and given with the monastic name “Dhammajayo” (the ex-abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya – Luang Por Dhammajayo).Since then, Luang Por Dhammajayo have been teaching the lay devotees practice meditation at a small house called the ‘Ban Thammaprasit’.Subsequently, more and more people came to learn meditation.
In order to accommodate the increase in new students, and the intention to spread the Dhammakaya meditation method throughout the world. In Buddhist Era Year 2513 (Christian Era Year 1970), Luang Por Dhammajayo and master Chandra Khonnokyoong together with their group decide to build a new temple – Wat Phra Dhammakaya at Khlong Luang District in Pathumthani Province. With the aim to build a good practice site, to cultivate the right monks and good people that the society needed.
In Buddha Era, the Patsari city due to serious natural disasters, causes many of citizens suffer and death. Therefore, the people kneel and plead Lord Buddha and his 500 monk disciples for help with kindness. Their king Bimbisara have install 5 different colors of double layers flag along the path of arrival for the Sangha, and using fresh flowers layout for “5 Yojana” (approx. 555km).And the people in Patsari city also clean up the streets, and decorate with delicate flowers and sprinkling flower petals with 10 different colors. Hopefully these will clear all disasters, the diseases of all citizens will be recover, drive away all evils, the Buddhas and all celestial beings will bless the citizens with auspicious in their life.
All these traditional activities will assist in moral revival, allow the schools, temples and families be united as one. Together cultivate the firmness in faith towards the youth and public in Buddhism. To Learn and understand the cultures of Buddhism and good customs. For everyone to have a kind heart, modest respectable, have passion in Buddhism, and willing to inherit the good Buddhism cultures.
Therefore, the Dhammayatra journey is a very meaningful activities, which will allow every Dhammayautra monks to be able earnestly practice meditation, train themselves, purify their body and mind, become the good model toward the public. And encourage people to have confidence in perform good deeds in the society, yet propagate it to the whole world. Finally, realize the true world peace.
If we could offer foods, bedding, medicine to monks from all directions, and these monks could practice together to purify themselves. The merits gains from this offering , could let the offerer parents and relatives in their past 7 life times, will be keep away from entering the path of evil. Their current parents with themselves will be live with longevity, healthy, no troubles, no worry in term of food and clothing, with the wellbeing in both physically and mentally.
We like to sincerely invite all people with virtue come and support the offering. The offering in monetary way will be include in provide food, drinks and all others expenses. These is a very special event, which also inherit the greatness in Buddhism cultures. The blissful support is not determine by the amount offered. But how blissful is your mind at that moment.
