Wat Phra Dhammakaya Wellington

วัดพระธรรมกายเวลลิงตัน ประเทศนิวซีแลนด์

Background

Wat Phra Dhammakaya Wellington was founded upon the great vision and initiatives of the Most Venerable Dhammajayo Bhikkhu, the abbot of the Dhammakaya temple in Pathum Thani, Thailand. It was his intention to share the wisdom of the Buddha and the practice of the Dhammakaya meditation, first taught by the Most Venerable Phra Mongkol Thep Muni (Sodh Candasaro), to help everyone find the true inner peace within.

In 1997, the Sangha (Buddhist monks) traveled to the regions of Oceania from the Dhammakaya temple in Thailand led by Phra Palad Sudham Sudhammo (Now: Phrasudhammayanvidesa vi.), the Sangha first arrived in Sydney, Australia, before journeying to the North Island (Auckland, New Zealand) and to other parts of the Pacific Islands such as the Solomon Islands. Their missions focus on spreading the Buddhist teachings and teaching the Dhammakaya meditation practices to the locals.

Wat Phra Dhammakaya Wellington of New Zealand had its official opening on Saturday, 9th of July 2011. The temple was registered as an official non-profit organization as the “60th Dhammachai Education Foundation” under New Zealand Charitable Trust. The temple is located at 298 Main road, TAWA, Wellington. Due to the great success, Wat Phra Dhammakaya Wellington also subsequently opened its meditation center in 2012.

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The objective of the establishment of Wat Phra Dhammakaya Wellington is to carry out the vision of the Most Venerable Dhammajayo of sharing the teachings of the Buddha to the people around the world. The teaching emphasizes the practice of the Dhammakaya meditation to people from all walks of life, regardless of their religion or race, to better their state of mind. Today, the events and activities that the Wellington Dhammakaya temple hosted for the Thai laypeople and other Buddhists residing in New Zealand are as follows.

1. Regularly holding group meditation sessions and Buddha Puja (or Bucha-Kaophra ceremony) on the first Sunday of each month.
2. Providing free Meditation English class.
3. Holding Theravada Buddhist traditions and cultural activities including festivals like Vesak Day.
4. Connecting and working with other organizations such as the New Zealand Buddhist Council and the Interfaith relations.
5. Holding other Buddhist activities and/or ceremonies at the lay people’s house upon invitation.

Without the compassion and kindness of the Most Venerable Dhammajayo, all of the success would not be possible. Wat Phra Dhammakaya Wellington has become the center of faith for the Buddhists and laypeople to pursue Perfections. Many have new-found lives; lives without alcohol, without gambling, or any other addictive behavior. Some even strongly vowed to continue pursuing perfections, to accumulate meritorious deeds, and eventually to attain Nirvana.