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About / Way of the Buddha
He who walks in the eightfold noble path with unswerving determination is sure to reach Nibbāna.
Buddhism, founded in the late sixth century (BCE) by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) is a prominent religion in most Asian countries. The doctrines taught by the Buddha include the Four Noble Truths and the Eight-Fold Path. Five hundred years after the passing of the Buddha, the teachings disappeared. In 1916, Luang Phor Sodh Candasaro (Chao Khun Phra Mongkol Thepmuni) rediscovered the Buddha’s teachings along with the principles of Dhammakaya Meditation.
Nun Master Thanom Arswai, a revered pupil of Luang Phor Sodh Candasaro, carried on the teachings of Dhammakaya, before passing them down to her student Mr Karoon Boonmanuch. Master Karoon dedicated his life to the practice of Dhammakaya, paving the way for Magga-Nibbāna to be achievable to us all.
The Monk!
Abbot of Wat Paknam until he died in 1959 he became a well-known meditation master who played a significant role in developing Theravada Buddhism. Also, he played a significant role in introducing Theravada Buddhism to the West.
Venerable Chao Khun Phramongkol Thepmuni (Sodh Candasaro)
The Teacher!
Siddhartha Gautama, an Indian spiritual teacher who founded Buddhism, and developed what is known as the Middle Way — a moderate, path between self-mortification and self-indulgence.
Siddhartha Gautama
The Buddha
The Master!
Master of Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation, a university lecturer in Management and Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation, recognised author, publisher of books on the same subject.
Karoon Boonmanuch
Meditation Master
Buddhism
Our greatest experiences are our quietest moments.
Theravada Buddhism is an (Ideology of the Elders), referring to senior Buddhist monks who derive their scriptural inspiration from the Tipitaka (Pali Canon). Practitioners of Theravada Buddhism seek self-liberation whereby they must refrain from all acts of evil, and amass all that is good to purify their mind. The Tipitaka does not over-emphasise the status of these teachings.
Positioning them far from being a fundamentalist ideology — more that they are tools to assist people in their understanding of the truth, and not as a means to acquiring merit of their own. Theravada Buddhism flourished for over two-and-a-half millennia in South East Asia up until the late nineteenth century. The unique spiritual legacy in its teachings of Awakening, saw the West come to embrace its methodology.
A disciplined mind brings happiness.
The Tipitaka used the language of Pali, a dialect close to that voiced by the Buddha. No written scripts of the teachings existed, as the Buddha only ever spoke with his disciples and followers. On the Buddha’s physical passing and attainment of parinibbāna, his disciples and later followers formed a special council to create a written record of his teachings.
Three distinct sections shape the Tipitaka known as the three baskets of wisdom — the Vinaya Pitaka, Sutta Pitaka and Abhidhamma Pitaka. Vinaya Pitaka comprises 227 (Patimokkha) rules detailing conduct and discipline applicable to the monastic way of life. Sutta Pitaka holds the principle teachings (the Dhamma). Seven books form the Abhidhamma Pitaka that focus on his higher teachings.
There is no fear for one whose mind is not filled with desires.
We know the Buddha’s teachings as Dhamma. He taught the importance of virtues, wisdom, kindness, patience, generosity and compassion. In Theravada Buddhism, these Five Precepts are the bare minimum for a lay practitioner. The aim is to relieve suffering, so by following the Five Precepts practitioners avoid causing others to suffer.
- I accept the precept to not destroy living creatures.
- I accept the precept to not take what they do not give.
- I accept the precept to refrain from the misuse of the senses.
- I accept the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.
- I accept the precept to refrain from intoxicants that cloud the mind.
The path leading to nibbãna — that is where my mind delights.
Vijja Dhammakaya is the meditation technique Vipassana Chanthaburi teachers. It helps practitioners to develop the ability to understand one’s actions through mindfulness training. They registered in Chanthaburi as a nonprofit organisation in 1982 as the Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation Society. Its founder Mr Karoon Boonmanuch studied and perfected the techniques of Dhammakaya meditation, making him one of the foremost authorities today.
The studio runs meditation workshops for its members and those wishing to become members. Dhammakaya is a Pali word, loosely translated it means ‘Body of Enlightenment’ and appears in Theravada scriptures. This meditation practice teaches that the centre of the body is the natural home of the mind, the inner gateway to enlightenment. Vipassana Chanthaburi hosts open-level meditation classes, special workshops, and study events. All lessons are free, donations appreciated.
Stopping the mind is the key to success.
Meditation, as we know it would be nothing more than a mental exercise had Luang Phor Sodh Candasaro not rediscovered it. Luang Phor Sodh Candasaro took a systematic teaching approach, gaining quick results that provided the missing links between scriptural theory and meditation practice. It’s considered an advanced form of meditation that has helped Buddhism to align with that of other world religions.
Dhammakaya Meditation goes far beyond the texts to where advanced practitioners continue to discover additional elements within their meditation in much the same way that scientists can discover unknown facts in nature. During the Great Abbot’s lifetime, he trained many practitioners to an advanced level. He became an inspirational leader to so many by helping lead practitioners in a spiritually joyous practice into the next millennia.
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Benefits
Mental Health
Research into meditation suggests there are many benefits for those who suffer from mental health issues. Studies show meditation can reduce anxiety, stress, and depression. More recent studies highlight meditation can benefit our cognitive and behavioural faculties. Overtime it teaches people to have a fresh perspective on their unproductive thoughts, which has a direct bearing to our wellbeing.
Education
The foremost aim of the Buddhist Educational System is to garnish wisdom through intellectual, moral and spiritual perfection. Buddha taught that wisdom could resolve everyday problems and put an end to suffering. He valued equality, believing everyone possesses this inner strength. Another crucial element to achieve supreme wisdom comes through the practice of Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation.
Wellbeing
Health is much more than the absence of disease or hospital care; it also refers to one’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing. A Buddhist interpretation of health emphasises a balanced interaction between mind, body, life the environment is for our physical wellbeing. A calm mind through meditation leads to a clearer understanding from which wisdom can flourish, enhancing our wellbeing.
Business
The heart of Theravada traditions and teachings lies the Eightfold Path. Vipassana Chanthaburi believes they can help all of us face the challenges and choices we encounter in the corporate world. Understood and used effectively, they offer beneficial tools to help us navigate the path to corporate success. Buddhism in business might lead to more rewards, spiritual and financial.
Addiction
There is growing evidence of the benefits of mindfulness, and especially those people suffering from addiction or substance abuse — it’s also an effective treatment for anxiety and depression. Many wellness centres now include meditation as part of the therapy process for people dealing with any self-hatred issues.
Ethics
Gautama Buddha articulated the ethical principles of Buddhism — the Five Precepts and the first three points of the Noble Eightfold Path to enlightenment: Sila: based on two fundamental principles — equality and reciprocity. Samadhi: developing one’s mind is the path to wisdom. Prajna: wisdom emerges when the minds calm and pure.
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In the Theravada tradition, Samatha translates as calmness and refers to the concentrated, unshaken, undefiled and peaceful state of mind.
This collection of illustrated manuscripts numbering some 457 are stories the Buddha told. They relate to one or another of his previous lives before becoming the enlightened one, or Buddha.
Vijja Dhammakaya Meditation is a complex yet delicate practice, and for people with no background in this method, it can be immensely challenging.