Wat Dhammakaya

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suriyopama
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by suriyopama »

What's going on in Forbes Thailand this month? I have to find someone to translate this

https://www.facebook.com/ForbesThailandMagazine

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suriyopama
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by suriyopama »

Forbes already dedicated a column to Dhammakaya in 2012:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/timworstall ... al-castle/
Apparently Steve Jobs Is Now Half a Yak And Lives In A Silver And Crystal Castle

It can be somewhat difficult to entirely parse the meanings of those religions with which one is not familiar. But it would appear that one Thai Buddhist sect has decided, nay declared, that Steve Jobs is now half of a yak inhabiting a crystal and silver castle in the afterlife.

"After Mr. Steve Jobs has passed away, he reincarnated as a divine being (…) encompassing his characteristics: a person with the knowledge (and a great appreciation) for both science and arts (…) His reincarnation is a “Thepphabhut Phumadeva [divinity] of middle rank – half a Witthayathorn, half yak” that lives in a parallel universe not very far away from where he was as a human.

Concerning the living space of this new divine being: it is a very clean-cut, simple and middle-sized, six-story in height, which is built with silver metal and crystal in large quantities and that is not very far away from where he used to work in his human form.”


A full (and much worse) translation of the declaration can be found at the sect’s website here

The important question here is of course why is a business columnist covering this nonsense? Because it is business of course. As it is pointed out:

“So sayeth the leader of the Dhammakaya sect, a Thai Buddhist version of the prosperity gospel hustle"

This particular variant of Buddhism insists that a better result in the afterlife is gained by making charitable donations in this one. So far, so very normal about many religious ideas and sects. They go further and suggest, again not uncommonly, that charitable donations to this specific Buddhist sect will carry more weight in one’s position in the afterlife. And a good way to get some publicity for such a viewpoint is to produce a story about how a recently deceased famous person is faring in that afterlife in order to get the donations rolling in.

I think it was L Ron Hubbard who said that the way to get truly rich was to start a religion. He’s by no means the first person to have acted on the idea and most certainly won’t be the last. He was however the only one recorded as being honest about the point of it all.
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Sokehi
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by Sokehi »

:shock: :rofl: :rolleye:
Get the wanting out of waiting

What does womanhood matter at all, when the mind is concentrated well, when knowledge flows on steadily as one sees correctly into Dhamma. One to whom it might occur, ‘I am a woman’ or ‘I am a man’ or ‘I’m anything at all’ is fit for Mara to address. – SN 5.2

If they take what's yours, tell yourself that you're making it a gift.
Otherwise there will be no end to the animosity. - Ajahn Fuang Jotiko

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jameswang
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by jameswang »

Guess what? I got the attendance list of a Dhammakaya event. Well, not exactly Dhammakaya event, but WFBY event. Then again, what’s the difference?

Besides, their schedule says that at 9am on 13 Feb will be “Openning Ceremony at DKF/BYLT Program”. (English is not their strong point, but they are good at marketing and politicking.) On the next day (Magha Puja), the program shows that the activities are at Wat Dhammakaya. I suppose they are expected to worship the spaceship, and maybe the pyramid too. There's also lots of award giving on the following day. Maybe that's the attraction to the international Buddhist 'leaders'. Awards! How sweet!

Here’s the list. (To the moderator, please don’t censor this. People need to know who are getting involve and unwittingly getting their members into a known Buddhist cult. Please.... Besides, it's not a secret meeting. The press will surely be invited.)

BYLT – Participants
Total 10 countries

India/ Bangladesh / Sri Lanka /Nepal/ S. Korea /Taiwan / Japan/ Malaysia /USA/ Thailand
72 participants (50 Inter guests+22 Thais)
Update 7/2/2014

1.Thailand 22 members *7 organizations
1. Dr.Pornchai Pinyapong *President *
2. Mr. Anurut Vongvanij
3. Mr. Denphong Suwanchairop
4. Mr.Nopphakao Chaiyaburin
5. Mr.Idanont Thaiarry
6. Mr.Wannarat Buranasittiporn
7. Ms.Lalipat Janejob
8. Ms.Vannaree Trainate
9. Ms. Petcharat Lovichakorntikul
10. Mrs. Wiphanada Kunsujarid
11. Ms. Kanyawatta Charoenpak
12. Ms.Gulissara Chinnathun
13. Ms.Sililuk Yukhanthaphornphong
14. Mr.Ratsarun Parisanyutanon (DKF)
15. Mrs. Sunee Sajjachaiyanont
16. Mr. Jirayu Kaewphanao
17. Ms. Sivisa Nithitimaneerat
18. Dr. San Rathviboon
19. Mr. Nara Suntud
20. Mr. Sutus Aranrattana
21. Ms. Suchada Tongmalai
22. Mr. Nives Maneelanga

2.INDIA 8*1
1. Venerable Bhikkhu Sanghasena
2. SANGHASENA RINCHEN ANGCHUK
3. SONAM SMANLA SONAM GYATSO
4. STANZIN GURMET DORJE ANGCHOK
5. KUNZANG DECHEN DORJAI THALAM
6. MIRAAJ SRIPAL TUSHAR SRIPAL
7. TSEWANG DOLMA TSERING NORBOO
8. TASHI TSEPHEL TSERING NAMGIAL

3.Malaysia 9*3
1. Dr. Ong See Yew
2. Mr. Loka NG Sai Kai
3. Datuk Seri Dr Victor Wee
4. Elaine Low Lee Lim
5. Erine Lee Siew Bee
6. Yong It Ching
7. Ng Siew Hua
8. Annie Watt Lai Seong
9. Sandra Watt Soon Yee

4.Korea 1* 1
1. Ven. Sun up (Hwang Ryung Hei) ( PSH)

5.Bangladesh 11*2
1. Ven. Dr. Gyana Ratna Mahathero
2. Ven. Bhikhu Sraddhananda
3. Mr. Puspen Barua
4. Mr. Pritish Barua
5. Mr. Brahmanda Pratap Barua
6. Mr. Seba Priya Barua
7. Mr. Chinmoy Barua
8. Mr. Satadal Barua
9. Mr. Sarajit Barua
10. Mr. Nimu Barua
11. Mr. Mridul Barua

6.Taiwan 6*2
1. Ven. Ming Yu (Lien, Hui- Yu)
2. Ven. Zu Ren (Ong Beng Beng)
3. Ms. Kee, Chai Lin (Grace Kee)
4. Ven. Shih Ci Hsin
5. Ven. Shih Wei Jing
6. Ms.Michelle Huang

7.Japan 7*1
1. Rev. Seiko Ito
2. Rev. Hakuga Murayama
3. Rev. Koya Matsuoka
4. Rev. Jikido Sugawa
5. Rev. Koshi Okubo
6. Rev.Zuiju Adachi
7. Rev.Tesshu Iwasaki

8.Sri lanka 5*1
1. Mr. Sri Dewa Kumara Semage
2. Mrs. Semage (his wife)
3. Mr. Ratanasiri Mutukumara
4. WFBY SriLanka member 1
5. WFBY SriLanka member 2

9.Nepal 2*1
1. Mrs. Shova Shakya (YMBA,President)
2. Ms.Oranee Shakya (YMBA,Treasurer)

10. USA 1*1
1. Ms. Emmy (DIMC,USA)
Last edited by jameswang on Tue Feb 18, 2014 3:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
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gavesako
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by gavesako »

WFBY is World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth

WFBY is the international network of Buddhist youth organizations around the world sharing the same aims of propagation and promote understanding of Buddhism to youth. Today, WFBY membership has expanded to 38 Regional Centers in 18 countries.
Description
W.F.B.Y. was created with the purpose to:

1. Promote and strengthen, understanding and practice of the teachings of the Lord Buddha among youth and increase respect and piety towards the Triple Gem, Parents, and Elders and to each other.

2. Promote unite, solidarity and networking among young Buddhists around world.

3. Organize and carry out activities in the social, economic, educational, recreational, cultural and religious fields together with humanitarian concerns.

4. Promote peace and harmony among the young people and cooperate with W.F.B. and other organizations which have the same goals in mind.

http://www.wfbytoday.org/
https://www.facebook.com/buddhistyouth


As you can see from the photos, this organization in Thailand has been taken over by Dhammakaya:

Offering Lights to Brighten Your Life, See you all 14 Feb 2014,18:00 pm, Dhammakaya Cetiya.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid ... =1&theater

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

Access to Insight - Theravada texts
Ancient Buddhist Texts - Translations and history of Pali texts
Dhammatalks.org - Sutta translations
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Kumara
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by Kumara »

jameswang wrote:3.Malaysia 9*3
1. Dr. Ong See Yew
2. Mr. Loka NG Sai Kai
3. Datuk Seri Dr Victor Wee
4. Elaine Low Lee Lim
5. Erine Lee Siew Bee
6. Yong It Ching
7. Ng Siew Hua
8. Annie Watt Lai Seong
9. Sandra Watt Soon Yee
The first 3 names are quite recognizable in the Malaysian Buddhist scene. I wonder if they know what they are getting into.
9*3
The "9" probably means the total. "3" might mean the first 3; who will be given special treatment? Oh dear!
culaavuso
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by culaavuso »

Kumara wrote:
9*3
The "9" probably means the total. "3" might mean the first 3; who will be given special treatment? Oh dear!
jameswang wrote: 1.Thailand 22 members *7 organizations
...
2.INDIA 8*1
...
3.Malaysia 9*3
This pattern seems to suggest that the meaning of "9*3" is that Malaysia has 9 representatives from 3 organizations.
plwk
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

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Sokehi
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by Sokehi »

"For an award as prestigious sounding as this, it is a wonder that none of the well-known global Buddhist luminaries, such as the likes of the Dalai Lama, Lama Zopa, Bhikkhu Bodhi, Kyentse Rinpoche (famed film producer), Ven Cheng Yen (founder of Tzu Chi Foundation), Bhikkhu Thannisaro (sutta translator of "Access to Insight"), Ven Pannyvaro (Buddhanet), Robert Thurman, Joseph Goldstein, Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Brahm, Ayya Khemma, Ani Choying, Sulak Sivaraksa, Ananda Guruge – to name a few - are not in the list. These individuals have deeply influenced the development of Buddhism and Dhamma propagation throughout the world, over many decades. Surely they are worthy of being noted as “outstanding world Buddhist leaders”.

Instead, what is obvious is that persons and organizations affiliated with the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) and World Fellowship of Buddhists Youth (WFBY) form a bulk of the recipients. Among the Bhikkhu Sangha, four of them are directly associated with Dhammakaya. People will generally want to know the criteria used in selecting these individuals and organizations for the awards.

Make no mistake. The time has come where “the temple of profit” has decided to come out of its shadows and announce its presence to the world. Award recipients from 10 different countries shall bear witness to this rise, bowing with salutation while being handed their personal recognition.

...

It is very likely that the presentation of this award is an approach by Dhammakaya to draw Buddhist leaders from various countries to their home base, providing them with some form of “shock and awe” so as to win over their approval. While wealth and power may bring quick access in the short term, truth and insight shall reveal the true nature of Dhammakaya’s motivations.

Let’s just pray that the award recipients have the awareness and wisdom to actually see through the real purpose of this event."


I hope that those with little dust in their eyes will see for themselves. But the damage done to the overall perception of the buddhasasana by the Dhammakaya Cult in the coming years seems to me most likely nothing else than another sign that this age will be the age of the decline of dhamma. Buddhasasana won't be forgotten in times like these with internet and globalisation... but it seems that it will be manipulated to death by false monks, false preachers.
Get the wanting out of waiting

What does womanhood matter at all, when the mind is concentrated well, when knowledge flows on steadily as one sees correctly into Dhamma. One to whom it might occur, ‘I am a woman’ or ‘I am a man’ or ‘I’m anything at all’ is fit for Mara to address. – SN 5.2

If they take what's yours, tell yourself that you're making it a gift.
Otherwise there will be no end to the animosity. - Ajahn Fuang Jotiko

https://www.youtube.com/user/Repeataarrr
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Kumara
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by Kumara »

culaavuso wrote:
Kumara wrote:
9*3
The "9" probably means the total. "3" might mean the first 3; who will be given special treatment? Oh dear!
jameswang wrote: 1.Thailand 22 members *7 organizations
...
2.INDIA 8*1
...
3.Malaysia 9*3
This pattern seems to suggest that the meaning of "9*3" is that Malaysia has 9 representatives from 3 organizations.
You're right. I'm quite sure Victor's representing BGF. Loka, not sure. Ong See Yew, probably YBAM. If so, the funny thing is that YBAM "fought" with a monk whom they said brainwashed a group of medical students. It became obvious later that the monk is from Dhammakaya.
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

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gavesako
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by gavesako »

World Buddhist Outstanding Leader Award
OR
Dhammakaya Award???


"The longest journey walking on flower petals is 427.8 km and was achieved by 1,127 Buddhist monks who walked across Thailand on the Dhammakaya Dhutanga pilgrimage in 2012"

http://www.alittlebuddha.com/html/The%2 ... 20139.html

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

Access to Insight - Theravada texts
Ancient Buddhist Texts - Translations and history of Pali texts
Dhammatalks.org - Sutta translations
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Kumara
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by Kumara »

Sokehi wrote:
"For an award as prestigious sounding as this, it is a wonder that none of the well-known global Buddhist luminaries, such as the likes of the Dalai Lama... Sulak Sivaraksa... are not in the list.

Sulak surely can't be in the list. He's been very critical of Dhammakaya.
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Sokehi
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by Sokehi »

gavesako wrote:World Buddhist Outstanding Leader Award
OR
Dhammakaya Award???


"The longest journey walking on flower petals is 427.8 km and was achieved by 1,127 Buddhist monks who walked across Thailand on the Dhammakaya Dhutanga pilgrimage in 2012"

http://www.alittlebuddha.com/html/The%2 ... 20139.html

:jumping:
when Buddhism becomes Show business :rolleye:

SciFi + Massive Propaganda + financial interests + using religion as a vehicle for that business model = Dhammatology?
I forgot to add "Disneyland" into that calculation.
Get the wanting out of waiting

What does womanhood matter at all, when the mind is concentrated well, when knowledge flows on steadily as one sees correctly into Dhamma. One to whom it might occur, ‘I am a woman’ or ‘I am a man’ or ‘I’m anything at all’ is fit for Mara to address. – SN 5.2

If they take what's yours, tell yourself that you're making it a gift.
Otherwise there will be no end to the animosity. - Ajahn Fuang Jotiko

https://www.youtube.com/user/Repeataarrr
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Kumara
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Re: Wat Dhammakaya

Post by Kumara »

Kumara wrote:I'm quite sure Victor's representing BGF. Loka, not sure. Ong See Yew, probably YBAM. If so, the funny thing is that YBAM "fought" with a monk whom they said brainwashed a group of medical students. It became obvious later that the monk is from Dhammakaya.
I just found out that Ong See Yew is not representing YBAM, but Melaka Buddhist Lodge, which I've only heard of since this "Dhammakaya Awards". It's an unknown entity compared to YBAM, in which he's the Immediate Past President. (The only pages on "Melaka Buddhist Lodge" I've found on Google are all on this event only, thus suggesting its obscurity.) I wonder: Is YBAM distancing itself from WFB because of it's deep connections with Dhammakaya? And BGF is jumping headlong into it?

Meanwhile, Loka Ng is not representing a Malaysian organisation. He has become WFBY's Deputy President,
Last edited by Kumara on Mon Feb 24, 2014 4:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
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