Global Buddhist Network

Global Buddhist Network
Type Satellite network, Cable network (formerly);
Internet (currently)
Country Thailand Thailand
Availability worldwide via website and social media
Slogan The only one;
Channel for the path to the cessation of suffering and attainment of Dhamma[1]
Launch date
 9 May 2002
Dissolved 26 December 2016
Former names
 Dhammakaya Media Channel
Official website
 http://gbnus.com
Replaced by Global Buddhist Network

The Global Buddhist Network (GBN), previously known as the Dhammakaya Media Channel (DMC) is a Thai television channel concerned with Buddhism. In Thai language, it was also known by the pun 'the Dhamma satellite' (Thai: จานดาวธรรม).[2] The channel's taglines were "The secrets of life revealed" and "The only one". DMC started on 9 May 2002.[3] The channel was owned by the Dhamma Research for Environment Foundation, part of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.[4][5] The channel is managed by Phra Maha Nopon Puññajayo, who supervises a team of thirty volunteers.[6][7] The channel was one of the first widely spread satellite channels in Thailand, described as a form of 'positive television' (Thai: สื่อสีขาว, literally: 'white media'). On 26 December 2016, Thai authorities withdrew the permit for the satellite channel permanently, during the legal investigations into the temple by the Thai junta.[8][9] In April 2017, it was reported, however, that the channel's programming had continued, but broadcast through Internet only. The channel has been renamed Global Buddhist Network.

Background

The channel was founded in 2002 to provide an alternative to the many distractions that surround people in modern life, which lure "people into doing immoral things", as stated by Phra Somsak Piyasilo, spokesperson of the organization. The channel originated from an initiative in 2001 when people living in the far provinces of Thailand wanted to listen to the teachings of the temple. The temple therefore provided live teachings through a thousand public telephone lines, through which people could follow the activities. The telephone lines had many restrictions in use, and the temple started to broadcast through a television channel instead. Later, in 2005, the temple developed an online counterpart to the channel.[10]

In 2016, the channel was ordered to shut down and its permit eventually withdrawn permanently during the junta's crackdown on Wat Phra Dhammakaya during the Klongchan controversy.[11][12][8][13] The channel was later revived in a new digital format, called GBN, short for Global Buddhist Network, which can only be accessed through the Internet.[1][14]

Programming and availability

Former logo
Former logo, of the Dhammakaya Media Channel.

The main focus of the channel, as described by the temple, is moral education.[15] It has programs for people of different ages. It broadcasts guided meditations, talks, preaching, songs, documentaries, dramas, live events and cartoons twenty-four hours a day, commercial-free.[3][6] The most popular program is a broadcast of a teaching called Fan Nai Fan, which also includes a guided meditation.[16] Before the 2016 crackdown by the Thai junta, the channel could be watched or listened to for free through satellite television, Internet, cable and radio.[17] In 2005, DMC had a hundred thousand viewers.[18] In 2016, the satellite channel could be received in all continents in the world, except for South-America.[6][19] The channel has programs in Thai, English, Chinese and Japanese language.[3]

The channel was also broadcast in public places like temples, hotels and prisons.[18][20] It sought cooperation with other Buddhist countries as well: the temple assisted in establishing a television channel with Buddhist content in Sri Lanka,[21] and discussion took place considering teaching Abhidhamma teachings from Burmese teachers through the channel.[22]

Teaching about Steve Jobs

In 2012, the temple broadcast a talk of Luang Por Dhammajayo about what happened to Steve Jobs after his death.[23] The talk came as a response to a software engineer of Apple who had sent a letter with questions to the abbot. Luang Por Dhammajayo described how Steve Jobs looked like in heaven.[24][25] He said that Jobs had been reborn as a deva (heavenly being) living close to his former offices, as a result of the karma of having given knowledge to people. He was a deva with a creative, but angry temperament.[26][27] The talk was much criticized, and the abbot was accused of pretending to have attained an advanced meditative state and of attempting to outshine other temples. The temple answered the critics, saying that the talk was simply meant to illustrate the Buddhist law of karma, not to defame Jobs, nor to fake an advanced state.[24][25][28]

Program about the life of the Buddha

Shut down

In 2014, Wat Phra Dhammakaya came under scrutiny under the new military junta[29][30] and in 2015 was implicated in the Klongchan controversy, where 11.37 billion baht was allegedly embezzled from the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative in which a portion totaling over one billion baht was found to have been given to Wat Phra Dhammakaya via public donations.[31][32][33] The investigations resulted in several failed raids on the temple and the channel was ordered to shut down for thirty days, authorities citing that the channel was used to mobilize people to resist a possible arrest of the former abbot, as people had done during the first raid. The temple appealed to a higher court, denying the accusations and stating that insufficient evidence had been provided.[11][12] The temple further described the shut down as an infringement of human rights.[34] The channel's broadcast permit was permanently withdrawn the same month, on 26 December. Critics compared the shut down with the military crackdown during the 1992 Black May protest, news outlet Bangkok Post criticizing the junta's broadcasting commission for "operating outside the courts and justice system".[8][13] DMC's radio station had not been withdrawn yet, pending an investigation of the police,[2][35] and the online channel was also still available.[36] Despite the channel being shut down, Thai Rath and other main media outlets have continued to broadcast the temple's ceremonies.[37] The temple has stated that the number of people joining ceremonies has increased since the shut down, people showing sympathy with the temple and the satellite channel.[38]

Revival in online format

On 24 April 2017, a host of Inside Thailand program on Spring News noticed a revival of the Dhammakaya Media Channel through a new digital format, called GBN, short for Global Buddhist Network. The channel could be received through Internet only, and featured very similar contents as before, although the temple's spokesperson assured there would be no further attempts at mobilizing people.[1][14]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Ekmahasawat, Danai; Mahitthiruk, Amonrat (24 April 2017). กลับมาแล้วทีวีธรรมกาย ถ่ายสดวันเกิดธัมมชโย [Dhammakaya's television has returned: live broadcast of Dhammajayo's birthday]. Spring News (in Thai). Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  2. 1 2 ปิดทีวีธรรมกาย กสท.มติเอกฉันท์ถอนใบอนุญาต [Dhammakaya's TV closed down, NBTC unanimously withdraws license]. NOW (in Thai). 26 December 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 ธรรมกายปฏิเสธนำเงินวัดไปเล่นหุ้น เตรียมยื่นคัดค้านปิดช่อง DMC [Dhammakaya denies using money temple to invest in stocks, prepares to appeal to court about closing down DMC]. Post Today (in Thai). Post Publishing. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
  4. ↑ แนะนำตัวช่อง DMC [Introducing the DMC]. Dhammakaya Media Channel (in Thai). Dhamma Research for Environment Foundation. 2 January 2006. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  5. ↑ Scott, Rachelle M. (2009), Nirvana for Sale? Buddhism, Wealth, and the Dhammakāya Temple in Contemporary Thailand, Albany: State University of New York Press, ISBN 978-1-4416-2410-9
  6. 1 2 3 Nacharoen, Nithit (20 November 2016). เปิดโครงสร้างทีมสื่อวัดพระธรรมกาย [Revealing the organization structure of Wat Phra Dhammakaya's media team]. Kom Chad Luek (in Thai). The Nation Group. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  7. ↑ สั่งปิดช่อง DMC ทีวีธรรมกาย [Dhammakaya's DMC Channel closed down]. The Nation (in Thai). 7 December 2016.
  8. 1 2 3 กสท.สั่งปิดทีวีธรรมกายภัยความมั่นคง [NBTC orders closing down Dhammakaya TV, [citing it is] threat to [national] security]. Voice TV (in Thai). Digital TV Network. 27 December 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2017 – via SHTV.
  9. ↑ Buaban, Jesada (August 2016). ความทรงจำในดวงแก้ว: ความทรงจำที่แปรเปลี่ยนไปเกี่ยวกับวัดพระธรรมกายภายใต้ปริมณฑลรัฐบาลทหารปี พ.ศ. 2557–2559Free registration required [Memory in Crystal: Changing Memory on Dhammakaya Movement under the Umbrella of Military Junta 2014–2016] (pdf). The science of remembering and the art of forgetting 2nd conference (in Thai). Songkhla-Nakharin University, Songkhla: Southeast Asian Studies Program, Walailak University. p. 3.
  10. ↑ Kongkrut, Anchalee; Na Ranong, Jetjaras (20 February 2008). "Dhamma Online: Wat Dhammakaya's website allows people to listen to sermons at their convenience"Free registration required. Bangkok Post. The Post Publishing. p. 18. Retrieved 29 November 2016 – via Matichon E-library.
  11. 1 2 "Regulator takes temple TV off air"Free access subject to limited trial, subscription normally required. Bangkok Post. The Post Publishing. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Thai authorities shut down controversial Wat Dhammakaya temple’s 24-hour TV channel amid scandal". South China Morning Post. Agence France-Presse. 8 December 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  13. 1 2 "NBTC must abide by law"Free registration required. Bangkok Post. The Post Publishing. 3 January 2017. p. 9. Retrieved 15 February 2017 – via Matichon E-library.
  14. 1 2 วันคล้ายวันเกิดครบ 73 ปี พระธัมมชโย วัดพระธรรมกาย-ลูกศิษย์จัดงานทำบุญวันคุ้มครองโลก [Phra Dhammajayo's 73rd birthday: devotees organize Earth Day ceremony]. Thai PBS (in Thai). 22 April 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  15. ↑ Thaitrakulpanich, Asaree (7 December 2016). "Dhammakaya Defies Order to Halt Broadcasts". Khao Sod. Matichon Publishing. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  16. ↑ ธรรมกายเตรียมอุทธรณ์คำสั่ง "จอดำ" DMC [Dhammakaya prepares to appeal closing down DMC]. Amarin TV (in Thai). 7 December 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  17. ↑ "สำนักสื่อสารธรรมกาย" เปิดแนวรบสื่อเต็มรูปแบบ [Dhammakaya's Department of Communication starts a fully equipped media battle center]. NOW (in Thai). 31 May 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2016.
  18. 1 2 คนแห่ร่วมสัปดาห์วันวิสาขะธรรมกายตั้งซุ้มขายสมาชิกFree registration required [Many people came to join the Visakha week, Dhammakaya set up stall to sell to members]. Matichon (in Thai). 18 May 2005. p. 13. Retrieved 29 November 2016 – via Matichon E-library.
  19. ↑ "Major Countries Under DMC Channel Coverage". Dhammakaya Media Channel. Dhamma Research for Environment Foundation. 2006-01-01. Retrieved 2016-06-25.
  20. ↑ Scott, Rachelle M. (2016). "Contemporary Thai Buddhism". In Jerryson, Michael. The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Buddhism. Oxford University Press. p. 203. ISBN 978-0-19-936238-7.
  21. ↑ Somarathna, Rasika (21 March 2007). "President meets Thai Bhikkus". Daily News (Sri Lanka). Lakehouse Newspapers. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  22. ↑ Lwin, Ye (19 April 2010). "Thai TV to air Abhidhamma show". The Myanmar Times. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  23. ↑ "The Crisis in Thai Buddhism". Asia Sentinel. 1 February 2013. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  24. 1 2 "'Steve Jobs now an angel living in parallel universe'". Sify. New Delhi. Asian News International. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  25. 1 2 ธรรมกายแจงปมภัยศาสนา [Dhammakaya responds to issues that threaten [Buddhist] religion]. Thai News Agency. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  26. ↑ กระฉ่อนโลกออนไลน์ ธรรมกายเผย'สตีฟ จ็อบส์'ตายแล้วไปไหน [Circulating through the online world: Dhammakaya reveals where Steve Jobs went after his death]. Thai Rath (in Thai). Wacharapol. 20 July 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  27. ↑ Chantarasiri, Ruangyot (27 August 2012). สังคม ความเชื่อ และศรัทธาFree registration required [Society, beliefs and faith]. Lok Wannee (in Thai). p. 2. Retrieved 3 December 2016 – via Matichon E-library.
  28. ↑ Hookway, James (31 August 2012). "Thai Group Says Steve Jobs Reincarnated as Warrior-Philosopher". Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company. Retrieved 10 November 2016.
  29. ↑ Dubus, Arnaud (22 June 2016). "Controverse autour du temple bouddhique Dhammakaya: un bras de fer religieux et politique" [Controversy regarding the Dhammakaya Buddhist temple: A religious and political standoff]. Églises d'Asie (in French). Information Agency for Foreign Missions of Paris.
  30. ↑ ธรรมกายแจงปมภัยศาสนา [Dhammakaya responds to issues that threaten [Buddhist] religion]. Thai News Agency (in Thai). 3 June 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2016.
  31. ↑ Tan Hui Yee (23 June 2016). "Politics and religion coming worryingly together in temple scandal"Free access subject to limited trial, subscription normally required. The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  32. ↑ พิษเงินบริจาคพันล้าน [Poisonous donations of a billion baht]. Thai PBS (in Thai). 2 May 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2016. Lay summary – Dhammakaya Uncovered (21 April 2016).
  33. ↑ ฟังทนายพระธัมมชโย แจงคดีร้อน [Let's listen to the lawyer of Phra Dhammajayo, providing information about a controversial lawsuit]. Spring News (in Thai). 28 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016. Lay summary – Dhammakaya Uncovered (21 April 2016).
  34. ↑ Chotsiripornrit, Natchapan. ปิดทีวีธรรมกาย ชนวนเหตุระดมพล [Closing down channel Dhammakaya, reason used for mobilizing]. Voice TV (in Thai). Digital TV Network. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  35. ↑ ปิดยาว DMC ทีวีธรรมกาย เกรงปลุกระดมมวลชน [DMC, Dhammakaya's TV, closed down permanently out of fear mobilizing people]. Thai PBS (in Thai). 26 December 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  36. ↑ ตั้ง ธัมมชโย เป็นเจ้าอาวาสกิตติมศักดิ์ ธรรมกายหันไลฟ์สดผ่าน FB-Youtube แทนหลังช่อง DMC ถูกปิด [Dhammajayao appointed as honorary abbot, after closing down Dhammakaya broadcasts live through Facebook and Youtube instead]. BEC-tero (in Thai). BEC World. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  37. ↑ ศิษย์ธรรมกายแน่นสวดมนต์ข้ามปี [Dhammakaya's devotees chant in great numbers with New Year]. Thai Rath (in Thai). Wacharapol. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
  38. ↑ ธรรมกายโชว์คนเยอะแน่นวัด โวเมื่อรู้ว่า DMC ถูกปิดคนยิ่งมา [Dhammakaya shows great number of people, boasts that when DMC is shut down, people joining only increase]. Bangkok Biz News (in Thai). The Nation Group. 8 December 2016.
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