Wat Phra Dhammakaya Temple

Today there are about 40,000 unique temples in Thailand. But among them there is one that tourists rush to visit first. Wat Phra Dhammakaya is the largest structure in the East, more like a giant alien saucer than a temple. It is located in Pathumthani district, 15 kilometers from Bangkok airport.

The Unorthodox Dhammakaya Sect

The Buddhist Dhammakaya sect was first heard of in 1916. The founder of Scientology was the monk Luang Pu Wat Paknam. He believed that one could get closer to God only through meditation. A man can know the true meaning of life and find peace if he strengthens his soul and body.

After Luang Pu Wat Pak Nam's death in 1959, his teachings were continued by a follower. In her residence, she enlightened people by encouraging them to practice rituals and meditation. The number of willing worshippers was increasing day by day and soon there was no more room for them. It was decided to establish another center, which in time became Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

History of the Temple

Construction of the temple as we know it began in 1970 and lasted more than 15 years. The work was done in the rice fields and cost a million dollars. In 1982 the chapel was erected, and a few years later the first rites were held there.

The period from 1985 to 2002 was difficult: scandals related to the abbot of the temple did not subside in the capital. He was accused of corrupt practices and other violations of the law. A year later, however, the charges were dropped and found to be unlawful. Today the non-Orthodox Dhammakai movement is considered the most radical and fastest growing in the country.

A million gold statuettes

But what makes Wat Phra Dhammakaya famous is not its history, but its unique architecture. The temple occupies an area of more than 320 square meters. In its center is a 200-meter spherical dome. The dome is the only place in the world, which collected more than a million statues of Buddha. Of these, 300,000 are located outside, and another 700,000 inside the structure. Statuettes are called the embodiment of integrity and purity. They symbolize enlightenment, spiritual unity and the penetration of Dharma into the human mind.

If they tell you that the statuettes are made entirely of gold, don't believe them. They are covered with an alloy of titanium and gilding, inside which is silicon bronze. Such an alloy is more durable and serves as a reliable protection against moisture and heat. Many of the statuettes are named. They are named after "sponsors" who wanted to immortalize their name on the stand. The dome is part of the Luang Pu Wat Pak Nam memorial and, if engineers are to be believed, will be able to stand for another thousand years.

Meditation Rituals

Inside Wat Phra Dhammakaya are two memorial halls. In the center of the first hall is the statue of Luang Pu Wat Paknam, made of gold. The second hall holds the relics of the Grand Master in a miniature pagoda.

In addition, the temple has a large two-story stadium where more than 600,000 worshippers gather for mass rituals. Outside, it is surrounded by a signature platform, which is visited daily by pilgrims and parishioners. The temple itself is home to several thousand novices.

Celebrations at Wat Phra Dhammakaya

In 2013, Wat Phra Dhammakaya received the "Best Meditation Center" award. On festival days, which fall on the full moon of the third lunar month, unique ceremonies are held here. More than 100,000 devotees gather in white robes and perform the Vijaya Dhammakaya ritual.

The essence of meditation is the use of breathing rhythms, the repetition of mantras, and the visualization of a crystal ball. What is most striking about this process is the visual composition: the perfect symmetry of the statues and the monks with candles in their hands inspire a sense of calm and tranquility.

Wat Phra Dhammakaya: How to get there

As previously mentioned, Wat Phra Dhammakaya is located in Pathumthani District, an hour's drive from central Bangkok. The easiest way to get there is by cab or private car. However, in Thailand, Dhammakaya is considered a scandalous sect, so you are unlikely to come across a single signpost on your way. And not all cab drivers know the way to the temple.

The second option is public transportation, which runs from Bangkok to Rangsit. Its terminus is Sanam Luang Park. And if you wait until Sunday, you can get to the temple on one of the free Thammasat University buses that leave there at 7:00 and 8:00 local time. For those who do not like to travel alone, we recommend taking a guided tour. In this case, you should be prepared to have much less time to see the temple and its surroundings.