Chapter Eight - Wat Phra Thammakaay Movement

Summary

The Thammakaay (dhammahaya) movement, based at Wat Phra Thammakaay (Mahanikay) in Pathumthani province just north of Bangkok, is founded on the teachings and novel meditation system of Phra Mongkhonthepmuni (Mangaladevamuni) (Sot Janthasaro), a former abbot of Wat Paak-naam (Mahanikay) at Phasi Jaroen in Thonburi. Sot Janthasaro lived from 1884 to 1959 and is popularly referred to as Luang Phor Wat Paak-naam Phasi Jaroen or simply as Luang Phor Sot. Since the early 1980s the Thammakaay movement has established a firm following among senior members of the Thai establishment as well as sections of the middle class and has grown rapidly in wealth and influence. This rapid growth and the large number of influential patrons who sponsor the activities of Wat Phra Thammakaay have aroused suspicions about the political motives behind the movement. One commentator has asked,

Is Wat Phra Thammakaay going the same way as Jittaphawan [College of Kittiwutho]? Is it becoming the “Great Empire” [mahaa-aanaajak, that is, the dominant force] of Buddhism?(T)

Wat Phra Thammakaay supporters include Princess Sirinthorn, who laid the foundation stone for the boot or temple at Wat Phra Thammakaay on 24 December 1977 and who since 1981 has offered robes to a select number of students participating in the annual student summer vacation ordinations held at the monastery. In recent years, General Arthit Kamlang-ek and General Chaovalit Yongchaiyuth, the previous and present Army Commanders-in-Chief, have also attended the initiation ceremony for the summer vacation training programme at Wat Phra Thammakaay. The Thammakaay movement also has the support of some of the most senior Mahanikay administrative monks, including Somdet Phra Phutthakhosajan and Phra Phrommakhunaphorn, who are the abbots of Wat Benjamabophit (Mahanikay) and Wat Saket (Mahanikay), respectively, as well as being members of the Mahatherasamakhom.

Thammakaay Teachings

The dhammakaya or “dhamma-body” (Thai: thammakaay) from which the movement takes its name refers to a subtle psychic or spiritual body which Luang Phor Sot taught was based at a point in the middle of the body slightly above the level of the navel.