Phrarajbhavanavisudh
Encyclopedia
Phrarajabhavanavisudh is the abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya
in Thailand
and the president of the Dhammakaya Foundation.
, Thailand
, Chaibul during his adolescence, started to be interested in Buddhism
. Having matriculated from Suankularb Wittayalai School
(Secondary) in 1963, Chaibul was enrolled in the Faculty of Economics, Kasetsart University
.
While in college, he became a student at the Meditation Centre of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen
. It was here that he first met the Buddhist nun Chandra Khonnokyoong
, one of the most respected Buddhist Meditation teachers at that time. Under Kuhn Yay's supervision, Chaibul attained a certain level of knowledge of Buddhism.
Chaibul also got to know many fellow students both in Kasetsart University and in other universities who were interested in practicing meditation. One of these early acquaintances later became his assistant in the endeavor to establish the Dhammkaya Buddhist Centre. His assistant was Mr. Padet Pongswardi who became a Buddhist monk and is now well-known as Phrabhavanaviriyakhun
, the Vice-abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya
.
with a B.Sc
degree in Economics, he was ordained at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen on the 27th of August 1969. After six years of monkhood, Ven. Dhammajayo became a teacher in the specialized approach to meditation known as Dhammakaya meditation
. In the beginning, the meditation courses were carried out at a private lodging called 'Baan Dhammaprasit' within the compound of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen. On 23 February 1970, the group moved to a plot of donated land in Pathum Thani Province. Ven. Dhammajayo and a group of devoted Buddhists transform the site into a wooded parkland with a system of canal
s.
criticized him for promoting greed by emphasizing donations to the temple as a way to make merit. Widespread negative media coverage at this time was symptomatic of Phrarajbhavanavisudh being made a scapegoat
for commercial malpractice in the Thai Buddhist temple community in the wake of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. In 2006 The Thai National Office for Buddhism cleared Phrarajbhavanavisudh of all accusations when he agreed to return all the alleged embezzled funds to the name of the temple. He was subsequently restored to the position of abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.
in Azusa, California
in 2003 to offer degree courses in Buddhist studies. He encouraged Thais to quit drinking
and smoking
through the activities of Anti-Drinking and Anti-Smoking program. World Health Organization
(WHO) presented the 2004 World No Tobacco Day
Award to Phrarajbhavanavisudh in recognition for his achievement of activities of the Anti-Drinking and Anti-Smoking program on 31 May 2004 http://www.dhammakaya.or.th/recognitions/award_WHO.php
Phrarajbhavanavisudh persuaded Thai Youths to come to the temple and participate in various community and social services. Hundreds of people participate in various activities annually. Up to present, these programs have been in existence for almost two decades and a total of tens of thousands of young Thai people have ordained while almost five million young Thai people have participated in such activities. http://www.kalyanamitra.org/events/year48/04/p19/c19.htm
His movement has expanded to over eighteen countries worldwide. He has also established a Buddhist satellite network or Dhamma Media Channel (DMC.TV
) with a 24 hour-a-day Dharma and meditation teachings broadcast to the audience worldwide.
In 2006, the World Buddhist Sangha Youth (WBSY) committee unanimously agreed to present the most honorable Universal Peace Award – the highest award in commemoration of year 2550 B.E. – to Phrarajbhavanavisudh (Ven. Dhammajayo Bhikkhu), the president of Dhammakaya Foundation whose work in dissemination of Buddhism for more than 30 years is vitally recognized.http://www.dhammakaya.or.th/recognitions/award_universal_peace.php
Wat Phra Dhammakaya
Wat Phra Dhammakaya is a Buddhist temple in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province north of Bangkok, Thailand.- Origins :It was established on Magha Puja Day, 20 February 1970, on an eighty-acre plot of land donated by Lady Prayat Phaetayapongsa-visudhathibodi by a group led by the monk...
in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and the president of the Dhammakaya Foundation.
Childhood
He was born Chaibul Sutthipol on the 22 April 1944 to Janyong Sutthipol (his father) and Juree Sutthipol (his mother) At Suan Kularb School, BangkokBangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, Chaibul during his adolescence, started to be interested in Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
. Having matriculated from Suankularb Wittayalai School
Suankularb Wittayalai School
Suankularb Wittayalai School is an all-boys secondary school for grades 7th through 12th in Thailand. Founded by King Chulalongkorn in 1882, Suankularb is the oldest public secondary school in the country...
(Secondary) in 1963, Chaibul was enrolled in the Faculty of Economics, Kasetsart University
Kasetsart University
Kasetsart University is a public university in Thailand and a top-ranked Public University in Thailand. It is ranked No.401-500 in the world by QS. It was also the first agricultural university and the third oldest university in Thailand...
.
While in college, he became a student at the Meditation Centre of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen
Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen
Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen in Phasi Charoen district, Bangkok is a very large wat with a sizeable population of monks and nuns. Many foreigners have stayed at this temple over the years....
. It was here that he first met the Buddhist nun Chandra Khonnokyoong
Chandra Khonnokyoong
Chandra Khonnokyoong was a Thai Theravada Buddhist nun who founded the Wat Phra Dhammakaya organization. Her full title was Khun Yay Mahā Ratana Upāsikā Chandra Khonnokyoong...
, one of the most respected Buddhist Meditation teachers at that time. Under Kuhn Yay's supervision, Chaibul attained a certain level of knowledge of Buddhism.
Chaibul also got to know many fellow students both in Kasetsart University and in other universities who were interested in practicing meditation. One of these early acquaintances later became his assistant in the endeavor to establish the Dhammkaya Buddhist Centre. His assistant was Mr. Padet Pongswardi who became a Buddhist monk and is now well-known as Phrabhavanaviriyakhun
Phrabhavanaviriyakhun
Phrabhavanaviriyakhun is a Thai Buddhist monk. Born in 1941 in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, he followed secular education to post-graduate level....
, the Vice-abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya
Wat Phra Dhammakaya
Wat Phra Dhammakaya is a Buddhist temple in Khlong Luang District, Pathum Thani Province north of Bangkok, Thailand.- Origins :It was established on Magha Puja Day, 20 February 1970, on an eighty-acre plot of land donated by Lady Prayat Phaetayapongsa-visudhathibodi by a group led by the monk...
.
Youth
After his graduation from Kasetsart UniversityKasetsart University
Kasetsart University is a public university in Thailand and a top-ranked Public University in Thailand. It is ranked No.401-500 in the world by QS. It was also the first agricultural university and the third oldest university in Thailand...
with a B.Sc
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree in Economics, he was ordained at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen on the 27th of August 1969. After six years of monkhood, Ven. Dhammajayo became a teacher in the specialized approach to meditation known as Dhammakaya meditation
Dhammakaya meditation
Dhammakaya meditation is an approach to Buddhist meditation revived in the early 1900s and practiced by several million people all over the world...
. In the beginning, the meditation courses were carried out at a private lodging called 'Baan Dhammaprasit' within the compound of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen. On 23 February 1970, the group moved to a plot of donated land in Pathum Thani Province. Ven. Dhammajayo and a group of devoted Buddhists transform the site into a wooded parkland with a system of canal
Canal
Canals are man-made channels for water. There are two types of canal:#Waterways: navigable transportation canals used for carrying ships and boats shipping goods and conveying people, further subdivided into two kinds:...
s.
Controversies
Phrarajbhavanavisudh has experienced his share of controversy. In 1999 and again in 2002 he was accused of charges ranging from fraud and embezzlement to corruption. Social critic Sulak SivaraksaSulak Sivaraksa
Sulak Sivaraksa [] is founder and director of the Thai NGO “Sathirakoses-Nagapradeepa Foundation”, named after two authorities on Thai culture, Sathirakoses and Nagapradeepa...
criticized him for promoting greed by emphasizing donations to the temple as a way to make merit. Widespread negative media coverage at this time was symptomatic of Phrarajbhavanavisudh being made a scapegoat
Scapegoat
Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any party for unmerited negative treatment or blame. Scapegoating may be conducted by individuals against individuals , individuals against groups , groups against individuals , and groups against groups Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any...
for commercial malpractice in the Thai Buddhist temple community in the wake of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. In 2006 The Thai National Office for Buddhism cleared Phrarajbhavanavisudh of all accusations when he agreed to return all the alleged embezzled funds to the name of the temple. He was subsequently restored to the position of abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.
Present
Phrarajbhavanavisudh influenced millions of people within Thailand and worldwide to practice meditation form of Dhammakaya. He set up the Dhammakaya Open UniversityDhammakaya Open University
Dhammakaya Open University is an unaccredited Theravada Buddhist school offering instruction by distance-learning. Founded in 2003, it is based in Azusa, California but distributes its courses internationally via liaison centres at branches of the Dhammakaya Foundation. It offers courses in...
in Azusa, California
Azusa, California
Azusa is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 46,361 at the 2010 census, up from 44,712 at the 2000 census. Though sometimes assumed to be a compaction of the phrase "everything from A to Z in the USA" from an old Jack Benny joke, the place name "Azusa"...
in 2003 to offer degree courses in Buddhist studies. He encouraged Thais to quit drinking
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
and smoking
Tobacco smoking
Tobacco smoking is the practice where tobacco is burned and the resulting smoke is inhaled. The practice may have begun as early as 5000–3000 BCE. Tobacco was introduced to Eurasia in the late 16th century where it followed common trade routes...
through the activities of Anti-Drinking and Anti-Smoking program. World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
(WHO) presented the 2004 World No Tobacco Day
World No Tobacco Day
World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31. It is meant to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe. The day is further intended to draw global attention to the widespread prevalence of tobacco use and to negative...
Award to Phrarajbhavanavisudh in recognition for his achievement of activities of the Anti-Drinking and Anti-Smoking program on 31 May 2004 http://www.dhammakaya.or.th/recognitions/award_WHO.php
Phrarajbhavanavisudh persuaded Thai Youths to come to the temple and participate in various community and social services. Hundreds of people participate in various activities annually. Up to present, these programs have been in existence for almost two decades and a total of tens of thousands of young Thai people have ordained while almost five million young Thai people have participated in such activities. http://www.kalyanamitra.org/events/year48/04/p19/c19.htm
His movement has expanded to over eighteen countries worldwide. He has also established a Buddhist satellite network or Dhamma Media Channel (DMC.TV
DMC.TV
DMC.TV is a Thai cable television channel concerned with Buddhism. Its main taglines are "the secrets of life revealed" and "the only one channel" ....
) with a 24 hour-a-day Dharma and meditation teachings broadcast to the audience worldwide.
In 2006, the World Buddhist Sangha Youth (WBSY) committee unanimously agreed to present the most honorable Universal Peace Award – the highest award in commemoration of year 2550 B.E. – to Phrarajbhavanavisudh (Ven. Dhammajayo Bhikkhu), the president of Dhammakaya Foundation whose work in dissemination of Buddhism for more than 30 years is vitally recognized.http://www.dhammakaya.or.th/recognitions/award_universal_peace.php
Publications
English language- Luang Phaw Dhammajayo (2006) Pearls of Inner Wisdom: Reflections on Buddhism, Peace, Life and Meditation (Bangkok: Dhammakaya Foundation) ISBN 978-974-94783-0-4
- Luang Phaw Dhammajayo (2007) Pearls of Inner Wisdom: Reflections on Buddhism, Peace, Life and Meditation (Singapore: Tawandhamma Foundation) ISBN 978-981-05852-1-1
- Luang Phaw Dhammajayo (2007) Tomorrow the World Will Change: A Practice for all Humanity (Singapore: Tawandhamma Foundation) ISBN 978-981-05775-7-5
- Luang Phaw Dhammajayo (2008) Journey to Joy: The Simple Path Towards a Happy Life (Singapore, Tawandhamma Foundation) ISBN 978-981-05963-7-8
- Luang Phaw Dhammajayo (2008) Lovely Love (Singapore, Tawandhamma Foundation) ISBN 978-981-080044-4
Biographies
- Tawandhamma Foundation (2007) The Sun of Peace (Bangkok: New Witek) ISBN 978-974-88547-9-3
External links
- The Sun of Peace
- Information
- Recognitions
- "Thai monk defies arrest" BBC News, August 24, 1999
- Phra Dhammakaya Temple Controversy Bangkok Post/December 21, 1998