Wat Phra Dhammakaya and Dhammakaya Foundation

The Dhammakaya tradition in our era started in 1916 when the Great Abbot of Wat Paknam (Phra Monkolthepmuni) strove with a determination to the degree he was prepared to devote his entire life, to rediscovering through meditation the knowledge known to the Buddhas.

Meditation, previously considered nothing more than a mental exercise or spiritual austerity, became popular through this master’s dedication to teaching and research in the Dhammakaya tradition he has discovered.

The Great Abbot’s most gifted disciple was a nun Khun Yay Ubasika Chandra Khonnokyoong. Wat Phra Dhammakaya was founded by Khun Yay in 1970 after the Great Abbot’s death when her own dwelling at Wat Paknam in Bangkok became too small to accommodate all those coming to study meditation there. Khun Yay and her students led by Ven. Dhammajayo Bhikkhu and Ven. Dattajivo Bhikkhu wanted to see the continual growth of the Dhammakaya Tradition and established the temple with vision of a sanctuary for peaceful spiritual practice a refuge in the midst of a turbulent world.

The temple was to be a centre for international meditation study. The temple was established on Magha Puja Day, 20 February 1970, on an eighty-acre plot of land donated by lady Prayat Phaetayapongsa – Visudhathibodi.

On Magha Puja Day, March 25, 1994, hundred-thousand of disciples under the leadership of Ven. Phra Dhammajayo Bhikkhu, the present Abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, gave the deep gratitude to Luang Pu Wat Paknam by creating an image of Luang Pu Wat Paknam - Phra Mongkolthepmuni in solid gold as an object of veneration and symbol of the teachings of Vijja Dhammkaya led by Khun Yay Upasika Chandra Khonnok-yoong.

The Golden Image of Luang Pu Wat Paknam, is believed to be the largest image in the world to be built out of pure gold. MISSION - Spread the universal teachings of Lord Buddha to enable every humankind attain the Inner Peace

Dhammakaya Foundation & Wat Phra Dhammakayaare
located at :Khlong 3, Khlong Luang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
Tel. (662) 524-0257 to 63
http://www.dhammakaya.net/index.php

Driving from Bangkok takes approximately one hour. The Temple is about 20 km north of the Donmuang (old) Airport.

Every Sunday and on Buddhist holidays, chartered buses depart from Sanam Luang (near the main gate of Thammasart University), from Jatujak Park (opposite the Northern Bus Terminal) and from the Victory Monument (in front of the TV 5 Building). Look for passengers dressed in white. Buses leave for the temple from 07.00-08.00 H.

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