Dhammakaya tradition

The Dhammakaya tradition or Dhammakaya movement, sometimes spelled as Thammakaai movement,[1] is a Thai Buddhist tradition founded by Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro in the early 20th century. It is associated with several temples descended from Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen in Bangkok.

This article is about all the Buddhist temples which originate from Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen. For the Buddhist temple in Patumthani, Thailand, see Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

Dhammakaya tradition
TypeBuddhist Tradition
SchoolTheravada, Maha Nikaya
Foundedc. 1916; Thailand
FounderLuang Pu Sodh Candasaro
TeachingsDhammakaya Meditation
Notable TemplesWat Paknam Bhasicharoen
Wat Phra Dhammakaya
Wat Luang Phor Sodh Dhammakayaram
Notable PeopleLuang Por Dhammajayo
Luang Por Dattajivo
Luang Por Sermchai Jayamangalo Chandra Khonnokyoong

The tradition is distinguished from other Thai Buddhist traditions by its teachings on the Buddhist concept of Dhammakaya and the practice of Dhammakaya meditation (Vijja Dhammakaya), a method which scholars have connected to the Yogavacara tradition, which predates the 19th-century reform of Thai Buddhism. The Dhammakaya tradition is known for its teaching that there is a "true self" connected with Nirvana, a belief that is rejected by the majority of the Thai Theravada community, who have criticized this as contradicting the Buddhist doctrine of anatta (not-self).

The Dhammakaya tradition is seen by its followers as a form of Buddhist revivalism pioneered by Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro. Some Buddhist Studies scholars have called aspects of its practices as having some "millenarian, fundamentalist" characteristics. According to theologian Rory Mackenzie, the term "fundamentalist" may be misleading given the progressive nature of the tradition. Features of the tradition include teaching meditation in a group, teaching meditation simultaneously to monastics and lay people, and an emphasis on lifelong ordination.

Nomenclature

Dhammakaya Tradition refers to a modern Buddhist tradition that has emerged in Thailand, but is based on older Yogavacara, c.q. Tantric Theravada teachings, which have survived the 19th and 20th century modernisation of Thai Buddhism. Dhammakaya means 'Dhamma body', referring to an "inner Buddha nature,"[2] which its practitioners aim to realize through meditation.

According to the anthropologist and Asian studies scholar Edwin Zehner, the term Dhammakaya (also spelled Thammakai) has four contextual meanings, though all four are "written and pronounced exactly alike":[3]

  • In the first sense, it refers to the doctrinal concept of "dharma-body" as found in Pali and Sanskrit texts.
  • Second, it means the "inner dharma-body" that is a goal of the Dhammakaya meditation practitioner.
  • Third, it refers to all the meditation centers and teachers who preach a Dhammakaya meditation style in Thailand.
  • Fourth, it refers to Wat Phra Dhammakaya and its associated institutions – the largest temple in the Dhammakaya tradition.[3]

The term Dhammakaya, states Zehner, has close affinities to the Mahayana Buddhism concept of Dharmakaya (spiritual essence of the Buddha), and the word appears in many early Pali and Sanskrit texts,[4] where its early meaning was "the collection of the dhamma".[5] However, the Dhammakaya tradition's conception of the "Dhammakaya" doctrine is different from the definition found in the Pali-English dictionary of the Pali Text Society, states Zehner.[6]

Scholars are not in agreement on the name of the Dhammakaya tradition. Some scholars use Dhammakaya tradition, while others use the term Dhammakaya temples, or Dhammakaya Movement.[7][8][9] Newell states the term Dhammakaya Movement has been confusingly used by various scholars. Some scholars use the term Dhammakaya movement interchangeably with Wat Phra Dhammakaya – the tradition's largest temple. She considers this problematic because this terminology has been used "without distinguishing between the various temples practising dhammakaya meditation and Wat Dhammakaya [sic] itself ... There are considerable differences in style, practice and structure of all the temples".[7] She prefers to use the term Dhammakaya temples.[8]

She is quoted on this by Religious Studies scholar Justin McDaniel, but he nevertheless uses Dhammakaya Movement without distinguishing between the various temples and Wat Phra Dhammakaya.[10][7] Buddhist Studies scholars Kate Crosby and Phibul Choompolpaisal, on the other hand, speak of a "network" of Dhammakaya temples.[11][12]

History

Yogavacara origins

Scholars have theorized that the Dhammakaya Tradition has its roots in the Yogavacara tradition (also known as Tantric Theravada; not to be confused with the Yogacara School in Mahayana Buddhism),[13][14][15] which thrived in pre-modern, pre-colonial times. This ancestry would be related to Wat Rajasittharam,[11] the former residence of Somdet Suk (early 19th century), "the heir to the teaching of Ayutthaya meditation masters,"[16][note 1] and the temple where Luang Pu Sodh used to practice before he went on to develop Dhammakaya meditation.[17][11]

According to Mackenzie, Yogavacara ideas are the most likely influence on Dhammakaya meditation system, though this is not definitely proven.[18] According to Buddhist Studies scholar Catherine Newell, "there is no doubt that Dhammakaya meditation is based upon the broader yogavacara tradition." She presents evidence of the borrowing of Luang Pu Sodh's Dhammakaya system from Somdet Suk's system of meditation.[13] She and Asian studies scholar Phibul Choompolpaisal believe a Yogavacara origin to be most likely.[13][19] If this would be the case, the tradition's meditation method would be an exoteric (openly taught) version of what initially was an esoteric tradition.[20]

An alternative theory suggests an origin in Tibetan or other forms of Mahayana Buddhism.[21][22] According to Mackenzie, it is possible but unlikely that someone who knew the Tibetan meditation methods met and shared that knowledge with Luang Pu Sodh in the early 1910s.[18] There are similarities between the two systems, states Mackenzie, as well as with the concepts such as chakra (tantric psycho-physical centers), "crystal sphere" and Vajra.[18] Though these commonalities are widely accepted, no proof has emerged yet of the cross-fertilization of Tibetan Buddhist practices into Dhammakaya system. Yogavacara ideas are the most likely influence on Dhammakaya meditation system, but this too has yet to be proven, states Mackenzie.[18] Newell acknowledges that Crosby doubts the link because of the two systems using different terminology.[23]

It is alternatively possible that Luang Pu Sodh developed his approach based on his own psychic experiences.[18]

Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro

The tradition was started by Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro in the early twentieth century.[24] In 1916, after three hours of meditating on the mantra sammā araham,[note 2] a Dhammakaya Foundation publication states "his mind [suddenly] became still and firmly established at the very centre of his body," and he experienced "a bright and shining sphere of Dhamma at the centre of his body, followed by new spheres, each "brighter and clearer."[25] According to Luang Pu Sodh, this was the true Dhamma-body, or Dhammakaya, the "spiritual essence of the Buddha and nibbana [which] exists as a literal reality within the human body,"[25][27][28] and the true Self (as opposed to the non-self).[29][note 3] According to Mackenzie, "Luang Phaw Sot sought to relate his breakthrough to the Satipatthana Sutta. He interpreted a phrase which is normally understood as ‘contemplating the body as a body’ as contemplating the body in the body."[25] According to Luang Pu Sodh, meditation could reveal "a series of astral and spiritual bodies of progressive fineness" within the physical body of a person.[25]

Convinced that he had attained the core of the Buddha's teaching, Phra Candasaro devoted the rest of his life to teaching,[27][28] and furthering the depth of knowledge of Dhammakaya meditation, a meditation method which he also called "Vijja Dhammakaya", 'the direct knowledge of the Dhammakaya'. Temples in the tradition of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, together called the Dhammakaya tradition, believe that this method was the method the Buddha originally used to attain Enlightenment, but was lost five hundred years after the Buddha passed away.[31][27] The rediscovery of Dhammakaya technique is usually described by the Dhammakaya tradition in miraculous terms with cosmic elements. For example, it is mentioned that heavy rains purified the temple before the rediscovery.[32]

The first generation of students

After discovering the Dhammakaya meditation approach, Luang Pu Sodh first taught it to others at Wat Bangpla, Bang Len District, Nakhon Pathom.[33] Since Luang Pu Sodh was given his first position as abbot at Wat Paknam, Dhammakaya meditation has been associated with this temple. Other temples, such as Wat Luang Phor Sodh Dhammakayaram, also have their roots in Wat Paknam.[34] It survived despite pressures in the nineteenth and early twentieth century to reform.[35][note 4]

Dhammakaya meditation has been taught by Luang Pu Sodh's students at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Wat Luang Por Sodh Dhammakayaram, and at Wat Rajorasarama, as well as at the respective branches of these temples. Apart from these major temples, there are also several other centers that practice in the tradition of Luang Pu Sodh.[38][39]

Maechi Thongsuk Samdaengpan

Maechi Thongsuk (1900–1963) was a nun well-known for her meditation teaching. She was born on 1 August 1900 at Baan Saphan Lueang, Bangrak District, Bangkok. She was the third born to her father Rom and mother Wan. She was separated from her parents at an early age, being adopted by her uncle and aunt instead. She had no formal education and was illiterate. She married a surgeon at Chulalongkorn Hospital. They had two children together before the untimely death of her husband, after which she had to support herself and her children by working as a salesperson.[40]

In 1930, Thongsuk Samdaengpan started to study meditation at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen under the instruction of Luang Pu Sodh. As a laywoman, and later as a maechi, she taught high-profile supporters of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen, such as Liap Sikanchananand. It was at Liap's house that Maechi Thongsuk met Chandra Khonnokyoong, who she taught Dhammakaya meditation. After the two stayed for a month at Wat Paknam, they both ordained as maechis. Maechi Thongsuk travelled around Thailand to spread the Dhamma and teach Dhammakaya Meditation according to the policy of Luang Pu Sodh. Maechi Thongsuk was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1960, and died of it on 3 February 1963 at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen. She was aged sixty-three, having been a maechi for twenty-five years.[41]

Maechi Chandra Khonnokyoong
Main article: Chandra Khonnokyoong

Maechi Chandra (1909–2000) became strongly interested in meditation when she was still a child, after she was cursed by her drunken father. After he died, she wished to reconcile with him through contacting him in the afterlife. In 1935, she went to Bangkok to work and find a way to meet Luang Pu Sodh. After she met Maechi Thongsuk and learnt meditation from her, she ordained at Wat Paknam.[42][43] She later became a prominent meditation student of Luang Pu Sodh. After Luang Pu Sodh's death, she became instrumental in introducing Dhammakaya meditation to Luang Por Dhammajayo and Luang Por Dattajivo, with whom she later founded Wat Phra Dhammakaya.[44][45] Luang Por Dhammajayo and Luang Por Dattajivo, the current abbot and vice-abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, were students of maechi (nun) Chandra Khonnokyoong.

Beliefs and practices

Dhammakaya meditation
See also: Dhammakaya meditation

Meditation is the most important practice of all major temples in the Dhammakaya tradition. The meditation system of the tradition distinguishes it from mainstream Theravada Buddhism.[46] According to Suwanna Satha-Anand, the tradition believes that meditation and the attainment of the Dhammakaya is the only way to Nirvana.[47] The meditation method is claimed by its teachers to accelerate the attainment of Nirvana.[48] Additionally, this technique is claimed in its advanced stages to allow the meditator to visit past lives and alternate planes of existence, wherein one can affect the present life's circumstances.[48]

Essential in this process is the "center of the body", which Luang Pu Sodh precisely describes as being at a point two finger widths above the navel of each person: whatever technique someone might use to meditate, the mind can only attain a higher level of insight through this center. This center is also believed to play a fundamental role in the birth and death of an individual.[49]

Samatha phase

There are several techniques which can be used by practitioners in focusing the attention on the center of the body.[50][51][52]

Practitioners may visualize a mental image at the center of the body – characteristically, a crystal ball or a crystal clear Buddha image.[53] This has been compared with meditation on a bright object in the Visuddhimagga.[49][54] Practitioners then visualize this image in front of themselves, and then move the mental image inwards through seven bases of the mind. Once the mental hindrances are overcome, the visual image imagined is transformed.[55]

Practitioners may also use a mantra (Thai: บริกรรมภาวนา, romanized: borikam-phavana) Sammā-Arahaṃ,[56][54] which refers to the Buddha who has 'perfectly' (sammā) attained 'perfection in the Buddhist sense' (arahaṃ),[57][52] as can be found in the traditional Tiratanavanda chant. This is a form of Buddhanussati, i.e. recollecting the Buddha qualities. This mantra has also been used by monks from Northern Thailand.[54]

Alternatively, according to Wat Phra Dhammakaya, practitioners can also place the attention at the center of the body directly,[58] and can even do so without visualizing or using a mantra.[59]

The first stage of this path Luang Pu Sodh simply called the 'beginning of the path' (Thai: ปฐมมรรค, romanized: pathommamak).[49][51][60] After that, Luang Pu Sodh would usually describe the level of attainment in terms of inner bodies (Pali: kāya) within every human being,[61] which are successively more subtle, and come in pairs.[62] In total, every human being consists of nine types of bodies,[63][64] each of which has a normal and refined form.[65]

The first four pairs of these bodies are equated with the orthodox jhāna meditation attainments.[66] Next is the 'change-of-lineage' (Pali: gotrabhū) intermediary Dhammakaya state:[65][67] this is the intermediate state between not being enlightened yet, and the four stages of enlightenment.[68] The final four of these inner pairs are called the Dhammakayas, and are equated with the four stages of enlightenment, leading to the final stage of enlightenment (arahant).[64][69]

Vipassana

After practitioners have attained the Dhammakaya, they can gain insight into the reality of life through observation of their own physical and mental processes.[70] It is believed they can understand birth, death and suffering at a deeper level, when they see the literal essence of these phenomena through meditative attainment.[71]

True Self
See also: Ātman (Buddhism)

Nirvana as True Self

According to the Dhammakaya tradition, the Buddha made the discovery that nirvana is the true Self (Pali: attā). The tradition calls this true self the Dhammakāya, the spiritual essence.[72][73] The tradition believes that this essence of the Buddha and Nirvana exist as a literal reality within each individual.[74][75][25] The not-self teaching (Pali: anattā) is considered by the tradition a means to let go of what is not the self, to attain the true self.[69] According to Buddhist studies scholar Paul Williams,

"[Dhammakaya] meditations involve the realization, when the mind reaches its purest state, of an unconditioned "Dhamma Body" (dhammakaya) in the form of a luminous, radiant and clear Buddha figure free of all defilements and situated within the body of the practitioner. Nirvana is the true Self, and this is also the dhammakaya." [29]

Interpretation of True Self

Some of the beliefs and practices of the Dhammakaya tradition – such as about nirvana, "true self" and meditation – have been criticized as allegedly opposing or rejecting the mainstream Theravada teachings and practices by traditional Thai Buddhist institutions, including Thailand's Religious Affairs Department and several Thai journalists and scholars.[76][77][78] The bulk of Thai Theravada Buddhism rejects the true-self teaching of Dhammakaya, and insists upon absolute non-self as the Buddha's real teaching.[79] Thai monastic and scholar Prayudh Payutto has written much about this topic.[80] Payutto states, in his book The Dhammakaya Case, that the "Nibbāna [Nirvana] is Higher Self (atta)" teaching of Dhammakaya "insults" the Buddhist canonical and post-canonical teachings. He continues that the historic Theravāda teachings emphasize nirvana in the context of anattā, and the "nirvana as attā" is not an acceptable interpretation.[81]

According to proponents and teachers of the tradition such as the monk Luang Por Sermchai, it tends to be scholars who hold the view of absolute non-self, whereas "several distinguished forest hermit monks" such as Luang Pu Sodh, Ajahn Mun and Ajahn Maha Bua hold Nirvana as true self, because they have "confirmed the existence of a Higher or Real Self (attā)" by their own realizations.[82][83] He further states that Nirvana cannot be not-self because it not a compounded and conditioned phenomenon.[82] Williams summarizes the views of Luang Por Sermchai and states that these ways of reading Buddhism in terms of "... a true Self certainly seem to have been congenial in the East Asian environment, and hence flourished in that context where for complex reasons Mahayana too found a ready home". According to Williams, the Dhammakaya-related debate in Thailand leads to an appreciation that

"... there are now and have been in history Buddhists who in good faith accept some sort of teaching of the Self and argue that a true Self was the ultimate purport of Buddhist teaching. Any scholarly account of Buddhist doctrine as it has existed in history in its totality has to accept diversity on the issue, even if it is true that the not-Self advocates appear to have been in the overwhelming majority".[82]

According to James Taylor, a scholar of Religious Studies and Anthropology, Dhammakaya's doctrinal views on nirvana and "enduring notions of self" are similar to the Personalist School of early Buddhism.[84] The Dhammakaya doctrines may be better seen as an example of "hybridized Buddhism" similar to the Mahāyāna Buddhist association Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan, states Taylor.[84] Paul Williams states that in some respects the teachings of the Dhammakaya tradition resemble the Buddha-nature and Trikaya doctrines of Mahāyāna Buddhism. He sees the Dhammakaya tradition as having developed independently of the Mahayana Tathagatagarbha tradition, but as achieving very similar results in their understanding of Buddhism.[85] Potprecha Cholvijarn has compared and contrasted the Dhammakaya and Tathagatagarbha doctrines, as well as the meditative practices taught by Dhammakaya's Luang Pu Sodh and those in the Tibetan Shentong (gzhan stong) tradition.[86]

The Dhammakaya tradition has responded in different ways to the debate of self and not-self. Apart from Luang Por Sermchai, Wat Phra Dhammakaya's assistant-abbot Luang phi Ṭhanavuddho wrote a book about the topic in response to critics.[87][88] According to Rungrawee Chalermsripinyorat, the followers of the tradition seem not much interested in the discussion, and are more concerned how Dhammakaya meditation improves their mind.[89] Besides the unorthodox definition of Nirvana as true happiness, permanent and essential, Nirvana is also described by the tradition from a more orthodox perspective, as the absence of greed, hatred and delusion. Religion scholar Rachelle Scott states that the positive description of Nirvana as a state of supreme happiness may have contributed to the popularity of Wat Phra Dhammakaya to new members.[55]

Magic and rituals

Around 1969, Luang Por Dhammajayo of Wat Phra Dhammakaya expressed his opposition to the traditional "elaborate Buddhist ritual, protective magic, fortune telling, and the tools, images and money that went toward them", states McDaniel.[90] Wat Luang Phor Sodh Dhammakayaram, similarly, states its premises are "free from superstitious objects and magic".[91] Dhammakaya publications, however, do extensively emphasize the miraculous and healing power of amulets, and markets and distributes them.[92][93]

Luang Pu Sodh, the founder of the Dhammakaya tradition, is believed by Thai people to have been a man of unusual powers. His biographies have included claims of supernatural powers, but also as someone who "showed respect for every method he learned", even "black magic", states Newell.[94] He has been portrayed as opposing amulet collection as well as traditional magical rituals and fortune telling, although amulets were issued under his leadership and are generally prized in Thailand for their attributed magical powers. Luang Pu Sodh is known as a meditation master and healer to the Thai people, even those who are not his followers.[94] According to McDaniel, his meditation practice is taught in Wat Phra Dhammakaya to "develop self-confidence", help in "family and business matters". At Dhammakaya retreats, some of this temple's adherents state that amulets, magic and ordination are arbitrary to the path of spiritual and financial security, according to McDaniel.[90]

The tradition does claim miracles from its meditation practice.[95] According to Newell, adherents believe Dhammakaya meditation can bring forth various abhiñña, or mental powers, at higher meditative attainments.[96] According to Seeger, such claims and widespread use of miracles by the tradition has been one of the sources of controversy from the traditional Thai Buddhist establishment.[97] Examples include stories of miraculous events such as Luang Pu Sodh performing "miraculous healings" at Wat Paknam, and meditation stopping the Allies from dropping an atom bomb on Bangkok due to the Japanese occupation of Thailand in World War II.[98] Similarly, Wat Phra Dhammakaya has included claims of miracles in its advertisements along with images of "Mahsiriratthat amulets" with miraculous powers. These advertisements invite readers to visit the temple to witness these miraculous events.[99][note 5]

Myths of cosmic struggle

According to Mano Laohavanich—formerly associated with Wat Phra Dhammakaya—some in the Dhammakaya tradition believe in a mythical ongoing cosmic struggle between the "Black Dhammakāya" (Mara) and the "White Dhammakāya" with the idea that Luang Por Dhammajayo is a messiah and reincarnation of the Buddha.[100][101] According to the Buddhist Studies scholar Peter Harvey, the group meditation is seen in part as a means to "help overcome the influence of evil Mara" against this world.[69][102]

Mackenzie states that meditating together to impact this struggle between the white party and black party is seen by these adherents to be both an individual and collective responsibility.[103] This mythical struggle can be won by a critical mass of meditators, according to this belief, and this is considered to be a holy task.[104] Mackenzie states it is unclear how many of the tradition's followers believe this myth about White versus Black Dhammakaya, or that "Dhammajayo was a Buddha reincarnation".[105] Mackenzie quotes Choompolpaisal stating that this is not an insider's understanding, and Mackenzie continues that "he has also met members who look to experience the miraculous at the temple". He finds it unlikely "they would not believe that their leader is an Avatara [reincarnation of the Buddha]". Mackenzie concludes the adherents at the temple may have many "insider understandings as people participate in the life of the temple in different ways".[106]

Ecclesiastical characterisation and organisation

Characterisation
The stupa at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen

The Dhammakaya tradition's practitioners state they find its teachings efficacious and transformative.[107]

As part of a survey of fundamentalistic movements around the globe, Donald Swearer has termed the Dhammakaya tradition as "fundamentalistic" in orientation.[108][109] By "fundamentalism" he is referring to the emerging tendencies in Theravada communities of Thailand and Sri Lanka where a "religiously grounded communal identity" is asserted along with an activist role of the laity. This tendency includes an apologetic, modernistic reinterpretation and reassertion of doctrines and practices, one that is combined with a "uniquely aggressive, critical, negative and absolutist" character.[110] According to Mackenzie, the tradition's practices are akin to a "prosperity movement" with some "millenarian, fundamentalist" characteristics.[111] Yet, the tradition does not quite resonate with the "fundamentalist" classification, states Mackenzie. The term can be misleading because of tradition's size, commitment to meditation and its progressive nature.[112]

Other scholars describe the Dhammakaya tradition as a revivalist movement.[113] Whether the tradition is a new movement is a matter of debate; Wat Phra Dhammakaya, for one, has specifically said that they do not want to start a new monastic fraternity (nikaya).[114][115] Central to the tradition is the Dhammakaya meditation practice, which the tradition considers the method through which the Buddha became enlightened, a method which was forgotten but has been revived by Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro. This method is called Vijja Dhammakaya.[27][31][116]

Several scholars, states Martin Seeger, have described the disputes and relationship between the mainstream Thai Sangha and the Dhammakaya tradition as reflecting "intolerance and undermining freedom of religion". According to Seeger, the teachings and practices of the Dhammakaya tradition temples deviate from the Theravāda tradition, and the different interpretations of Buddhist canonical texts have triggered a heated debate in the Thai media and in the Sangha Council, a smear campaign and the purging of "religious others".[117] Of these, Wat Phra Dhammakaya—the most influential in this regard—has been accused by Payutto of "distorting Buddhist ideas, insulting Buddha's teachings", and showing "disrespect to the Pali canon".[117] Besides Payutto, other critics have included a number of "Thai scholars, academics, monks and social critics".[97] Payutto has been criticized in return by a number of Thai academics and news commentators for being "narrow-minded", "attached to scriptures", "dogmatist" and a "purist".[118] Also, Thai columnist Sopon Pornchokchai has accused Payutto of performing sloppy research.[119]

Methods of propagation

Luang Pu Sodh introduced Dhammakaya meditation, which is the core of the Dhammakaya tradition. Besides the technique of meditation itself, the methods through which Luang Pu Sodh taught have also been passed on to the main temples in the tradition. The tradition has an active style of propagation.[120] Teaching meditation in a group, teaching meditation during ceremonies, teaching meditation simultaneously to monastics and lay people, and teaching one main meditation method to all are features which can be found throughout the tradition.[121][122][52]

Newell relates that Luang Pu Sodh was the person who set up the maechi community at Wat Paknam,[123] which is currently one of the largest maechi communities in Thailand.[124] Although Luang Pu Sodh encouraged women to become maechis, maechis did have to spend quite some time doing domestic activities, more so than monks. This orientation echoes in Wat Phra Dhammakaya's approach to female spirituality, praising Maechi Chandra as an example of a meditation master, but at the same time not supporting the Bhikkhuni ordination movement.[125]

Besides Wat Paknam's attitudes with regard to female spirituality, Wat Paknam's international orientation also became part of its heritage.[126] The temple ordained several monks coming from the United Kingdom,[127] and maintained relations with Japanese Buddhists.[128] Currently, Wat Paknam has branch centers in the United States, Japan and New Zealand.[129] This international orientation was also continued through the work of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, which, as of 2010, had thirty to fifty international centers,[130][131] and through the work of Wat Luang Phor Sodh Dhammakayaram, which has two branch centers in Malaysia.[132] Of all Thai Buddhist temples and traditions, the Dhammakaya tradition has an international presence that is one of the strongest.[133] A characteristic that is also found both in Wat Paknam and other temples in Luang Pu Sodh's tradition, is its emphasis on lifelong ordination.[134]

Amulets

The production and sale of protective amulets to finance the Dhammakaya tradition's early initiatives began with the founder of the tradition. The sale of amulets is "a common method of financing major temple building projects", states Newell.[135] Wat Paknam, in Luang Pu Sodh's leadership, produced and sold amulets (Thai: phra khruang rang) that gained a reputation in Thailand for their alleged powers.[94] According to Newell,

Sot [Luang Pu Sodh] was ... associated with some important issues of phra khrūang rāng [amulets], issued in order to finance some of the renovation and improvements, particularly the building of the Pali Institute which he undertook as part of his stewardship of Wat Paknam. There were also two issues of amulets to fund the Buddhamonthon Buddhist Park with which Sot was involved. These amulets have gained reputations as particularly powerful and effective, and change hands for considerable sums.[94]

Luang Pu Sodh's amulets were—and are still—widely venerated for their attributed powers, and are traded at high prices.[136] The Phutthamonthon park effort was started under Luang Pu Sodh's leadership in the 1950s and much of the construction work done in the 1970s, being financed by amulets issued by Wat Paknam.[137] Wat Phra Dhammakaya, after its founding in the early 1970s, has continued to aggressively market amulets with alleged magical powers for fundraising purposes.[138][97][139] It leverages the Buddhist merit-making tradition in Thailand.[140][141][142]

Notable temples

Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen
Main article: Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen
Somdet Chuang Varapuñño from Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen [left] and Luang Por Dattajivo from Wat Phra Dhammakaya [right]

Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen (Thai: วัดปากน้ำภาษีเจริญ) is a royal wat located in Phasi Charoen District, Bangkok, at the Chao Phraya River.[143] Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen is the temple where Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro used to be the abbot, and still is known for its meditation lessons.[24][144] The temple underwent a major change during the period that Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro became the temple's abbot, from a temple with only thirteen monks that was in disrepair, to a prosperous center of education and meditation practice. In 2008, it housed two hundred to four hundred monks, eighty to ninety samanera (young novices) and two hundred to three hundred maechis (nuns). As of 2008, the temple's abbot was Somdet Chuang Varapuñño, who was the acting Supreme Patriarch of Thailand (Sangharaja) from 2013 to 2017.[145] In 2015, he was proposed by the Sangha Supreme Council as the new Supreme Patriarch, but the appointment was stalled by the junta, which cited objections by several influential former leaders of the 2014 coup d'état.[146] The appointment was eventually withdrawn and a monk from the Dhammayuttika Nikaya appointed instead after the junta changed the law to allow the King to appoint the Supreme Patriarch directly, with the Prime Minister countersigning.[147]

Wat Phra Dhammakaya
Main article: Wat Phra Dhammakaya

Wat Phra Dhammakaya is located in Pathum Thani, north of Bangkok. It was founded by Maechi Chandra Khonnokyoong and Luang Por Dhammajayo. It is the temple that is most well-known in the Dhammakaya tradition because of its huge size and following, its numerous activities and also its controversies. The temple is popular among the Bangkok middle class, and organizes many training programs. The temple emphasizes merit-making through meditation, giving and volunteering.[148] According to theologian Rory Mackenzie, it accepts donations from its adherents in large public meetings, promising "specific results for particular donations".[149]

As of 2017, the temple's worldwide following was estimated at three million practitioners.[150] The community living at Wat Phra Dhammakaya numbered more than a thousand monks and novices, and hundreds of full-time lay employees.[151] The temple emphasizes the revival of traditional Buddhist values, but does so through modern methods and technology.[152][153] The temple emphasizes personal transformation, expressed through its slogan "World Peace through Inner Peace".[154] The temple offers English language retreats and ordinations.[155][156][157]

Initially, the temple was founded as a meditation center, after Maechi Chandra and the just ordained monk Luang Por Dhammajayo could no longer accommodate the rising number of participants in their activities at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen. The center became an official temple in 1977.[158][159] The temple grew exponentially during the 1980s, when the temple's training programs became widely known among the urban middle class.[158][160] Wat Phra Dhammakaya expanded its area and the building of a huge stupa (pagoda) was started.[161] During the period of the Asian economical crisis, however, the temple became subject to criticism as Luang Por Dhammajayo was charged with embezzlement and removed from his office as abbot. In 2006, he was cleared of these charges and he was restored as abbot.[162] The temple grew further and became known for its activities in education, promotion of ethics, and scholarship projects.[163][164][165] Under the 2014 military junta, the abbot and the temple were put under scrutiny again and Luang Por Dhammajayo was accused of receiving stolen money through the donations of a supporter.[166] The temple has been referred to as the only influential organization in Thailand that has yet to be subdued by the ruling junta, which has shut down most opposition since it took power.[167][150] The judicial processes against the abbot and the temple since the 1990s have led to much debate regarding the procedures and role of the state towards religion, a debate that has intensified during the 2017 lockdown of the temple by the junta.[168][169] As of 2017, authorities have not found Luang Por Dhammajayo, and in 2018, Phrakhru Sangharak Rangsarit was assigned as the official abbot instead.[170][171]

Wat Phra Dhammakaya emphasizes a culture of making merit through doing good deeds and meditation, as well as an ethical outlook on life.[172][173][51] The temple promotes a community of kalyanamittas ('good friends') to accomplish such a culture.[108][174] Although the temple emphasizes traditional Buddhist values, modern methods of propagation are used, such as a satellite television station and a distance-learning university, as well as modern management methods.[175][176][177] In its large temple complex, the temple houses several monuments and memorials, and in its construction designs traditional Buddhist concepts are given modern forms, as the temple envisions itself as a global spiritual center.[178][179][154]

According to Sandra Cate, an anthropologist with a focus on Southeast Asia, the historic merit-making Buddhist practice has been "taken to new extremes" by Wat Phra Dhammakaya in how it seeks monetary donations and deploys sophisticated marketing techniques and networking.[180] The production and sale of amulets has been "a common method of financing major temple building projects", according to Newell.[135] To raise donations in the 1990s, the Wat Phra Dhammakaya made claims of "miracle in the sky" where the sun disappeared and was replaced by a golden statue of Luang Pu Sodh or giant crystal in the sky. The accumulation of great merit (Thai: phu mi bun) has been linked in this movement to mahapurusha (great person) status, radiant complexion and spiritual perfection.[181] Phra Mettanando has criticized these merit-making practices as a "solution to all personal and social problems" and thereby "luring faithful devotees to make ever-increasing donations".[182] Dhammakaya fundraising efforts deploy mass marketing campaigns that relate "levels of donations to their class status", according to Scott.[183] According to Rungrawee Chalermsripinyorat, the publications of Wat Phra Dhammakaya repeatedly reinforce the belief in the fruits of merit-making and amulets by "reproducing stories of a miraculous survival after a severe car accident, an unexplainable recovery from malignant cancer and incredible success in business after making merit".[92]

Wat Phra Dhammakaya relies on donations and merit making to build temples and operate its organization.[138] It runs consumer-savvy media placement and billboards to deploy "consumerist competitive and advertising strategy with the traditional belief of merit accumulation which ends up in the merchandization of merit", states sociologist Apinya Fuengfusakul.[184] The donors are promised rewards in future rebirths, and their donations are recognized in public ceremonies.[185][138] Although many of the temple's methods and teachings were not unique to Wat Phra Dhammakaya, it was noticeably criticized in the late 1990s during the Asian economic crisis due to its size and the major fundraising the temple was doing at the time.[186][187][188] According to Asian Studies scholar Monica Falk, the commercialization of Buddhism has become a political issue in Thailand.[189]

Wat Rajorasarama
See also: Chom Thong District, Bangkok § Places
Luang Por Thongdi Suratejo from Wat Rajorasarama

Wat Rajorasarama (or for short, Wat Rajaoros; literally 'the temple of the King's son'), Bang Khun Thian District, Bangkok, originates from the Ayutthaya Kingdom era. It became a royal temple, figuring in the history of the Chakri dynasty when Prince Rama III resided and held a ceremony there to prepare for an attack during the Burmese–Siamese wars. After having spent a while at the temple preparing, the attack did not happen. Nevertheless, Rama III repaid his gratitude to the temple by renovating it from 1817 to 1831.[190][191][192] During the renovations, texts about traditional Thai medicine and massage were carved in the temple's walls. This was done in Wat Pho as well, making for a total of thousand inscriptions, meant as a storehouse of ancient knowledge which Rama III feared might be lost during the wars.[193][194] When the renovations had started, he dedicated the temple to his father Rama II, who renamed the temple "Wat Rajorasarama".[195] The temple is often described as "the temple of King Rama III", citing his stay there during the Burmese–Siamese Wars, and the subsequent construction he started there.[195] However, in reality, Rama III grew up in the area of Wat Chomthong, not in the palace, and was therefore familiar with the temple from his childhood onward.[196]

In the 1950s, the temple was nearly abandoned and derelict. After the appointment of Luang Por Thongdi Suratejo as abbot in 1982, and with financial help from the government, the temple was greatly renovated.[197] Luang Por Thongdi spent many years at Wat Paknam, completing his Pali studies there to the highest level. He held several positions in the Thai Sangha before being appointed as a member of the Supreme Sangha Council in 1992. He is well-known in Thailand for his encyclopedias and books, of which he has published over twenty, under his honorary names.[198][197]

In 2001, Luang Por Thongdi made headlines when he was suddenly removed from the Sangha Council, because the Supreme Patriarch felt he "acted against the decisions of the council". During that period, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra had announced several reforms of the Monastic Act, aiming for a Sangha that is more independent of the government. Luang Por Thongdi expressed his disagreement with the proposed reforms by publishing a book about them. He stated the Sangha Council was rash in its decisions, and doubted whether the monastic establishment was ready to be self-reliant. A network run by scholars and devotees stated the book was inappropriate and they pleaded with the Sangha Council to act.[199][200] As soon as Luang Por Thongdi was removed from the office, practitioners of Wat Phra Dhammakaya and students of Wat Rajaoros' school protested against the decision, but Luang Por Thongdi asked them to stop in order not to express contempt of the Supreme Patriarch.[note 6] Meanwhile, PM Thaksin admitted he was "shocked" by the Supreme Patriarch's decision. Whereas the network of critics stated Luang por Thongdi "always had opposing views" and caused division, the head of the Religious Affairs Department responded "monks should have the right to air their views".[200][201][202] When Luang Por Thongdi himself was asked how he felt about the decision, he replied "We are born in this world without anything [without position or possessions]. Having been a member of the Sangha Council, I have served Buddhism, which is the highest good in life. ... The right thing to do [now] is to accept the decision made [by the Supreme Patriarch]".[200] Luang Por Thongdi also clarified that he was not opposed to reform and more independence from the government, but the Sangha should still have an important role in moral education, which he felt was overlooked in the reforms.[203][204]

Wat Luang Phor Sodh Dhammakayaram
Somdet Chuang Varapuñño from Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen presiding over a ceremony

In 1982, Wat Paknam-ordained[205] Luang Por Sermchai Jayamangalo and Phra Khru Bart Yanathiro established the Buddhabhavana Vijja Dhammakaya Institute, distancing itself from Wat Phra Dhammakaya.[206][207][45] In 1991, the institute was changed into a temple.[208] It is located in Ratchaburi Province, west of Bangkok, and was led by Luang Por Sermchai until 2018.[209] He was formerly a lay meditation teacher at Wat Paknam, and a researcher and employee of the US embassy.[210][211] Many of the temple's activities are done in cooperation with Wat Saket.[212] Luang Por Sermchai taught regularly to government departments, companies, and other temples.[213] In 2004, Luang Por Sermchai made headlines when he criticized the government's policy on legalizing gambling during a preaching on a radio program. After some members of the government responded with displeasure, a screening process for preaching on the radio was established.[214][215] Luang Por Sermchai defended the radio broadcast, stating that his criticism referred to society in general, not just the government.[213]

In 2006, there were seventy monks and thirty-three novices at the temple.[209] Phra Khru Bart was a western monk who organized exchange student programs and gave meditation instruction and retreats in English language. English instruction is still available, though Phra Khru Bart has since died.[157][210] In Thai language, the temple offers retreats, monastic ordination programs, and study retreats for families.[216] The temple also runs its own school with Pali and Dhamma studies.[208]

Apart from an ubosot hall (central hall for ordinations), the temple also has a memorial hall in honor of Luang Pu Sodh. In 2006, the temple started building a stupa (mound-like shaped monument).[208][217] The stupa will be four storeys high and will measure 108 meters in length, width and depth.[218] It will contain meditation rooms, Buddha images, and relics.[208][217] As of 2018, the monument was still under construction.[218]

Luang Por Sermchai had been taught about Dhammakaya meditation by Phra Veera Gaṇuttamo, teacher at Wat Paknam. On 7 October 2018, Luang Por Sermchai died, aged 90 years.[205][219]

Notes
  1. Named after Thai monks from the Ayutthaya Kingdom. Their influence stretched as far as Sri Lanka, were a revival of Buddhist meditation took place in the 1750s.[11]
  2. According to Mackenzie, the mantra means "righteous Absolute of Attainment which a human being can achieve".[25] Scott states it refers to "a fully enlightened person", a phrase traditionally referring to the Buddha. It is found in the common Theravada tradition chant of, "Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa".[26]
  3. In some respects its teachings resemble the Buddha-nature doctrines of Mahayana Buddhism. Paul Williams has commented that this view of Buddhism is similar to ideas found in the shentong teachings of the Jonang school of Tibet made famous by Dolpopa Sherab Gyaltsen.[30]
  4. During the revival and modernization of Thai Buddhism in the nineteenth and early twentieth century CE, Thai temples in the Mahanikaya fraternity were forced to adjust to new reforms, including the meditation method used and taught.[36] In particular, leading monks in the Mahanikaya fraternity promoted the New Burmese method of U Narada and Mahasi Sayadaw. Yet, Mackenzie notes: "Crosby (2000:178–9) mentions three theories as to the possible development of the Yogavacara tradition in Thailand. First, it may have been the case that the Yogavacara tradition came to Thailand through the Mon (Southern Burmese) expression of Buddhism ... As a young monk, Prince Mongkut believed the Mon tradition to be the one most in keeping with the original teachings of the Buddha and he was re-ordained by Mon monks. It would thus be ironic if this tradition was the carrier of ideas that the Thammayut fraternity sought to discredit in their bid to standardise Thai Buddhism![37]
  5. Scott mentions claims of "disappearing sun" from the sky and describes another example as follows: "Underneath these evocative photographs was printed the Webster’s New World Dictionary’s definition of a miracle: “An event or action that apparently contradicts known scientific laws and is hence thought to be due to supernatural causes.” The advertisement continued, “Whether you believe in miracles or not, the experience of a great number of devotees at Wat Phra Dhammakaya in September this year certainly fits Webster’s New World definition. There were two long testimonials describing the miracle on the bottom half of the page, while at the right-hand side there was an image of the now familiar Mahsiriratthat amulet and a description of its qualities and powers. Finally, at the bottom of the page, there were two testimonials from witnesses who described the miracle in their own words, imploring readers to visit the Temple in order to witness such miraculous events for themselves."[99]
  6. Expressing criticism of the Supreme Patriarch is punishable by Thai law.[200]
gollark: Very dumb.
gollark: See, if you did `ps ; sh`, it would just execute that as a shell command and run `ps` then `sh`.
gollark: On one of my old routermodemboxes, you could actually get arbitrary shell access through a moronically dumb vulnerability in its telnet "shell" thing.
gollark: Probably.
gollark: Yes, but it's somewhat oversimplifying it.

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Sources

Further reading
Primary
  • Dhammakaya Foundation (1998) The Life & Times of Luang Phaw Wat Paknam (Bangkok, Dhammakaya Foundation) ISBN 978-974-89409-4-6
  • Bhikkhu (Terry Magness), Suratano (1960). The Life and Teaching of Chao Khun Mongkol-Thepmuni and The Dhammakāya (triple-gem.net).
  • Phramonkolthepmuni (2006) "Visudhivaca: Translation of Morradok Dhamma of Luang Phaw Wat Paknam" (Bangkok, 60th Dhammachai Education Foundation) ISBN 978-974-94230-3-5
  • Phramonkolthepmuni (2008) "Visudhivaca: Translation of Morradok Dhamma of Luang Phaw Wat Paknam", Vol.II (Bangkok, 60th Dhammachai Education Foundation) ISBN 978-974-349-815-2
Secondary
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