Journal of Buddhist Ethics ISSN 1076-9005 http://blogs.dickinson.edu/buddhistethics/ Volume 19, 2012 Esoteric Teaching of Wat Phra Dhammakāya Mano Mettanando Laohavanich Pridi Banomyong International College, Thammasat University Copyright Notice: Digital copies of this work may be made and distributed provided no change is made and no alteration is made to the content. Reproduction in any other format, with the exception of a single copy for private study, requires the written permission of the author. All enquiries to:
[email protected]. Esoteric Teaching of Wat Phra Dhammakāya Mano Mettanando Laohavanich 1 Abstract Thailand’s controversial Wat Phra Dhammakāya has grown exponentially. In just three decades, it has come to have millions of followers in and outside of Thailand and over forty branches overseas. The esoteric teaching of meditation taught by the leaders of the community has inspired thousands of young men and women from various universities to sacrifice their lives to serve their Master, something that has never been seen before in Thailand or elsewhere in the Theravāda world. What is the nature of this esoteric teaching? Why is it so appealing to these young minds? These questions are discussed and analyzed by the author, who was one of Wat Phra Dhammakāya’s founding members. 1 Formerly Ven. Dr. Mettanando Bhikkhu. Pridi Banomyong International College, Thammasat University, Thailand. Email:
[email protected]. Laohanovich, Esoteric Teaching of Wat Phra Dhammakāya 484 The rise of Wat Phra Dhammakāya as a well-organized urban Buddhist movement is undeniably unique in the history of Thailand. After three and a half decades, the wat is now a well-established international center of Buddhist movements.