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 21st 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.
