Wat Dhammakaya

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gavesako
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by gavesako »

Dr. Mano, ex-monk at Dhammakaya and close to Dhammajayo, keeps appearing on Thai media and revealing more and more of the inner secrets of the organization. The latest article describes how Dhammajayo admires Hitler as a model, they even share the same birthday (one day difference). This would not be surprising if you consider the Dhammakaya iconography and their mass gatherings. He quotes Dhammajayo as saying "I don't even care about being the Sangharaja, I want to conquer the whole world". For that of course you need lots of money, and Dhammajayo from the start was investing money privately into some businesses, including a weapons company. He sees himself as a sort of Dhamma army commander fighting with the dark force in the universe.

Over the years Dhammajayo managed to spread his influence into all levels of administration and government, so he felt comfortable. With the recent coup in Thailand and the new Prime Minister who is concerned about the decline of Buddhism's image in Thailand, something more decisive might happen now if they can nail them down with the money corruption allegations that seem pretty clear.

The Mahathera Samakhom members are facing public criticism for collaborating with Dhammakaya and many photos show them participating in the 'tudong' in the streets of Bangkok walking on flowers, etc. Lots of Thais are now ready to oppose the current system, and there is even talk of a 'sangha-bheda' (split in the Sangha) in case that nothing is done. Some groups of monks who have benefited from Dhammakaya sponsorship are being encouraged to support them now publicly. On the other hand, some prominent people like Sulak Sivaraksa have openly called for the disbanding of the Mahathera Samakhom which is an outdated organization which cannot properly oversee the Thai Sangha.

More visual illustrations are here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1616565 ... 5/?fref=nf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

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gavesako
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by gavesako »

While the police investigators are preparing to freeze Dhammakaya assets...

http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/wor ... rch-3-2015" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

...some groups monks who benefited from Dhammakaya activities are protesting the efforts to reform Sangha in Thailand:

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 54804.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

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gavesako
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by gavesako »

Patronage system breeds malaise in the monkhood
by Ajahn Paisal Visalo

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... e-monkhood" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:reading:
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

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daverupa
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by daverupa »

gavesako wrote:Patronage system breeds malaise in the monkhood
by Ajahn Paisal Visalo

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opin ... e-monkhood
There are widespread false understandings even concerning the most basic matters in Buddhism such as boon or merit. For example, many believe the more they donate, the more merit they will gain. This is tam boon or making merit to acquire more things, not to let go of things according to Buddhist teachings. When there is misunderstanding at this basic level, there is no need to talk about their understanding of higher dhamma such as nirvana.

Not knowing what Buddhism is about, it is easy for them to be misled by false teachings and ready to turn a blind eye to irregularities of their gurus. In other word, the Dhammakaya controversy shows a lack of knowledge of Buddhists themselves about their own religion. It also reflects a failure of the clergy and the clergy's education system.
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  • "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.

    "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.

- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]
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gavesako
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

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Things are getting tough:


THE DEPARTMENT of Special Investigation yesterday issued a summons for Phra Dhammachayo, the abbot of Wat Dhammakaya, and a number of monks to explain why they and the temple accepted a donation of a suspected ill-gotten Bt800 million.

Meanwhile, National Reform Council member Paiboon Nititawan yesterday established a public forum to be held at Parliament House on March 11 to hear feedback from the public over ongoing reforms related to Thai Buddhism and the Wat Dhammakaya issue. Two other forums will be held later outside Bangkok at dates to be scheduled, he said.

Paiboon, head of the NRC's panel charged with reform and protection of Buddhism affairs, set the March 11 forum as a pre-emptive act in response to a call for the scrapping of his panel by a group of senior pro-Dhammakaya monks. The monks had earlier threatened to launch a large-scale rally on March 12 if Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and NRC president Thianchay Kiranandana did not disband Paiboon's panel.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 55335.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:spy:
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

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Kumara
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by Kumara »

gavesako wrote:While the police investigators are preparing to freeze Dhammakaya assets...
I think you meant this link: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... -at-temple
  • The Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) says it will examine property on the Dhammakaya temple premises for suspected links to the 12-billion-baht Klongchan Credit Union embezzlement scandal. It is also seeking to freeze the assets of those who received money allegedly embezzled from the co-operative.
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gavesako
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by gavesako »

The Guardian and the Atlantic have some good pictures of the style of ceremony at Wat Dhammakaya during the recent Magha Puja day:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/galler ... n-pictures" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2015/0 ... le/386965/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It is meant to create an overwhelming feeling of inspiration in the followers no doubt, but some of the Dhammakaya monks positioned on the raised platforms had a hard time staying awake and not to fall off, which would spoil the magnificent display:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orB0qlI53tA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

:o
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

Access to Insight - Theravada texts
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gavesako
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by gavesako »

The latest developments in the criminal investigation involving Dhammachayo:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... -next-week" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 55506.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

But this issue has stirred up rival factions among the Thai monks, in particular the group of Mahachula university which is known to have red-shirt connections and which has threatened to march in support of the existing structures:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... hism-panel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nationa ... 55511.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

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Dhammanando
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by Dhammanando »

gavesako wrote:The Guardian and the Atlantic have some good pictures of the style of ceremony at Wat Dhammakaya during the recent Magha Puja day
Ugghh. These are the most nazified pictures I've ever seen from this ghastly outfit. When one takes the nighttime photos and changes them to greyscale, only the presence of monks makes Wat Dhammakaya's rally at all distinguishable from Albert Speer’s “Cathedral of Light” at Nürnberg.

  • cathedral.jpg
    cathedral.jpg (399.93 KiB) Viewed 4401 times
Yena yena hi maññanti,
tato taṃ hoti aññathā.


In whatever way they conceive it,
It turns out otherwise.
(Sn. 588)
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suriyopama
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by suriyopama »

The National Reform Council (NRC) panel on protecting Buddhism has been disbanded.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... hism-panel" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here is another colection of pictures. Some of them are Fourth Reich style

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9b1z9rhwqees ... u0Epa?dl=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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gavesako
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by gavesako »

An in-depth article about Dhammajayo's early life and rise to fame:

Armed with magic, a monk eyes true power Phra Dhammachayo was a child touched by destiny, but former colleagues and friends say his rise to become one of the country’s most influential figures is all based on illusion

http://bangkokpost.com/news/special-rep ... true-power" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For those who understand Thai, here is the original interview with Dr Mano:

คำต่อคำ!!ชัดๆ สัมภาษณ์ "หมอมโน" ทำ รพ.กรุงเทพ พล่าน??(มีคลิป)
http://politic.tnews.co.th/content/132368/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DsLUzpBL9A" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Last edited by gavesako on Mon Mar 09, 2015 8:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

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Kumara
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by Kumara »

gavesako wrote:An in-depth article about Dhammajayo's early life and rise to fame:

http://bangkokpost.com/news/special-rep ... true-power
Quite a typical unhappy childhood for cult leaders. Of course that alone doesn't make a cult leader. It also takes a particular personality that has a strong drive and charisma.
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gavesako
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by gavesako »

Wat Dhammakaya's rise to power

http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/lea ... e-to-power" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

(Read out in English too with Thai vocabulary below)
Bhikkhu Gavesako
Kiṃkusalagavesī anuttaraṃ santivarapadaṃ pariyesamāno... (MN 26)

Access to Insight - Theravada texts
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Alobha
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by Alobha »

I wonder how far things have to go before Thai government takes action. On the other hand, this cult is doomed to collapse the moment their leader passes away. It doesn't look like their leader is interested or even capable in taking measures that someone takes over the reigns after he dies. Quite a shame that an organisation like that can gather so much money and support. It would be needed much more elsewhere.
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suriyopama
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by suriyopama »

Dhammakaya is scored Number One amongst the strangest cults in Asia. It is the most bizarre, and probably the one with the most powerful and influential political machine.
10 Of The Strangest Cults In Asia

I know a person that recently was in trouble at Bangkok Hospital after he criticized Dhamamkaya in front of his doctor. Many well positioned, educated, and influential people in all areas are fervent acolytes of the DMC cult, not only in Thailand but around the world.


Investigators: Cooperative billions were Sent abroad
DSI: Klongchan money went to Dhammakaya

Billions of baht embezzled have been spirited away overseas, and Wat Phra Dhammakaya was a key piece of the scheme, laundering the transactions under the names of Dhammakaya Universities, Dhammakaya International Centers, or donations to organizations that now have become blindly loyal to their cause (e.g. the World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth) Their ramifications and interests are bigger than the eye can see.

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:alien:
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