Phrarajbhavanavisudh

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The neutrality of this article is disputed.
Please see the discussion on the talk page.

Part of a series on Buddhism
History
Dharmic religions Timeline of Buddhism Buddhist councils
Foundations
Four Noble Truths Noble Eightfold Path The Five Precepts Nirvāṇa · Three Jewels
Key Concepts
Three marks of existence Skandha · Cosmology · Dharma Saṃsāra · Rebirth · Shunyata Pratitya-samutpada · Karma
Major Figures
Gautama Buddha Disciples · Later Buddhists
Practices and Attainment
Buddhahood · Bodhisattva Four Stages of Enlightenment Paramis · Meditation · Laity
Regions
Southeast Asia · East Asia India · Sri Lanka · Tibet Western Countries
Schools
Theravāda · Mahāyāna Vajrayāna · Early schools
Texts
Pali Canon · Mahayana Sutras Tibetan Canon
Comparative Studies Culture · List of Topics Portal: Buddhism
This box: view • talk • edit

Phrarajabhavanavisudh(Thai:พระราชภาวนาวิสุทธิ์) is the abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya in Thailand and the president of the Dhammakaya Foundation. He is a controvesial figure in Thailand, accused by the media of fund embezzlement and profiteering, and particularly for his unorthodox Buddhist temple and practice.

1 childhood
2 Young
3 Present
- 3.1 Criticism and Controversy
4 External links

[edit] childhood

He was born Chaibul Sutthipol on the 22 April 1944.Since his early childood, Chaibul had developed a distinguished quality of self-confidence, strong determination and leadership. At Suan Kularb School, Bangkok, Thailand, Chaibul during his adolescence, started to be profoundly interested in Buddhism, Having matriculated from Suan Kularb Secondary School in 1963, Chaibul was enrolled in the Faculty of Agriculture, Kasetsart University.

The student life gave him much more freedom and provided him with more opportunities to pursue the study of Dharma. He became an ardent student at the Meditation Centre of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen. It was here that he first met his mentor and spiritual guardian, the Buddhist nun Chandra Khonnokyoong. She was one of the most respected Buddhist Meditation teachers at that time.Under Kuhn Yay's close supervision, Chaibul attained a certain level of knowledge and realisation of Buddha Dharma.

Chaibul also got to know many fellow students both in Kasetsart University and in other universities who were interested in practising meditation. One of these early acquaintances later became his assistant in the great endeavour to establish the Dhammkaya Buddhist Centre. His assistant was Mr. Padet Pongswardi who became a Buddhist monk and is now well-known as the Phrabhavanaviriyakhun, the Vice-abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

[edit] Young

After his graduation from Kasetsart University with B.Sc (Economics), Chaibul made it known to his family that he intended to spend the rest of his life as a Buddhist monk. 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 specialised method of meditation known as the Dhammakaya School of meditation. . His students were many and from all walks of life.In the beginning, the meditation courses were carried out at a private lodging called 'Dhammaprasit' within the compound of Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen. Later the group moved to a plot of donated land in Pathum Thani Province.

[edit] Present

Ven. Dhammajayo and a group of devoted Buddhists shared in their efforts to transform the site into a wooded parkland, full of shady trees and well irrigated by a system of canals. Ven.Dhammajayo's vision, mission and goal for the future is to devote his life to create the World Dhammakaya Centre in the surroundings of Phra Dhammakaya Temple.

Phrarajbhavanavisudh succeeded in influencing millions of people both within Thailand and worldwide to practice meditation, a fundamental basis of true peace and eternal peace. He has also succeeded to encourage Thais to quit drinking and smoking through the activities of Anti-Drinking and Anti-Smoking program with is widely accepted nationwide and is being expanded throughout the world. World Health Organization (WHO) presented an award to Phrarajbhavanavisudh in recognition for his achievement of activities of the Anti-Drinking and Anti-Smoking program.[1]

Phrarajbhavanavisudh succeeded to persuade Thai Youths to come to the temple and participate in various activities that benefit the society. 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 Thai young people have ordained while almost five million Thai young people have participated in activities that benefit the public. [2]

His temple was successfully expanded to over eighteen countries worldwide. He has also succeeded in establishing a Buddhist satellite network or Dhamma Media Channel (DMC.TV) with a 24 hour-a-day Dharma and meditation teachings broadcast to the audience both nationwide and worldwide.

In 2006, the World Buddhist Sangha Youth (WBSY) committee anonymously 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.[3]