Why 100,000 Monks Mass Ordination?

Ordination has been a part of the Thai Buddhist culture for centuries. At least once in a Thai gentleman's life, one must be ordained as a Buddhist monk to observe the monastic life, learn about morality and ethics through Buddhist teachings and practice meditation. An ordination will complete a Thai man's life who is morally qualified for living a peaceful life and becoming a good citizen of the society he belongs. Thai gentleman, at the age 20, can ordain as a Buddhist monk, who will leave a comfortable life behind and voluntarily choose live a simple life. Ordination in Thai (บวช) means to refrain from living as a householder and committing bad conducts. In contrast with a householder’s life, Buddhist monks have only minimum necessities which are absolutely essential for their survival. These allow them to stop searching outward for happiness and begin looking inward for the genuine peace of mind. As a part of the Moralily Revival Project in Thailand initiated by Luang Phaw Dhammajayo Bhikku, the abbot of the Dhammakaya temple, a 100,000 monks mass ordination is organized for the first time in the Thai history. The objective is to strengthen the ethical level and improve moral conducts in Thai community by allowing 100,000 gentlemen across the country to be true monks for 49 days. The project is hosted by the Dhammakaya Temple as well as the other 330 temples from every part of Thailand.

Advisory Committees

President

Somdetphramaharatchamangkhlachan (Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen)

Committtees

Phravisudhadhibbadi	Wat Suthat Thepwararam Rajavaramahavihara
Phraphomwethee	Wat Traimitr Withayaram Varavihara
Phraphomvajirayana	Wat Yan Nawa
Phraphommolee	Wat Phichaiyatikaram Varavihara
Phraphomsudee	Wat Srakesa Rajavaramahavihara
Phravisudhiwongsajarn	Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen
Phraphomchariyajarn	Wat Kapang Surin, Trang Province
Phradhamwarodom	Wat Tinnakorn Nimitra
Phradhamkitiwongse	Wat Ratcha Orasaram Rajavaravihara
Phradhamrajanuwatra	Wat Phra Kaew (Chiang Rai Province)
Phradhamcetiya	Wat Kalyanamitra Rajavaramahavihara
Phradhampanyaporn	Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen
Phradhamkunapon	Wat Samphraya varavihara
Phradhampariyativeti	Wat Phra Pathom Chedi Rajavaramahavihara
Phradhampidok	Wat Phrabuddhabat Rajavaramahavihara
Phradhamratanadilok	Wat Suthat Thepwararam Rajavaramahavihara
Phradhamkosajarn	Wat Prayurawongsawat Varavihara
Phradhamdirarajamuni	Wat Rakhang Kositaram Rajavaramahavihara
Phratheppariyatisudhee	Wat Bophitphimuk Varavihara
Phratheppariyatimedhi	Wat Chonprathan Rangsarit
Phrathepveeraporn	Wat Koksamanakun (Songkhla Province)
Phrathepsudhee	Wat Trai Dhammaram (Surat Thani Province)
Phrarajapariyattayaporn	Wat Khanket (the Lord Abbot of Pathum Thani Province)
And all the Lord Abbots of the Thailand Buddhist monastery

Wat (derived from the Sanskrit word Vattaka) represents a monastery temple in Cambodia, Thailand, or Laos.

Organizing Committees

Project Sponsor	Phrarajabhavanavisudh (The Abbot of the Dhammakaya Temple)
Project Manager	Dhammakaya Temple & Dhammakaya Foundation Thailand's Sangkha The Religion, Art and Culture Commissioners of the House of Representatives International Buddhist Society of Thailand
Co-supporters	Buddhist Affairs Commissioner of the House of Representatives Buddhist Affairs Commissioner of the Senate Phathum Thani Province The World Fellowship of Buddhists The World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth Directorate of Joint Civil Affairs of the Royal Thai Armed Forces HQ Naval Civil Affairs Department Air Force Civil Affairs Department Thai Department of Local Administration Community Development Department of MOI Community Development Confederation of Thailand Primary Health Care Division of MOPH Provincial Administration Organization Council of Thailand The National Municipal League of Thailand Tambon Administrative Authority of Thailand Village Leader Association of Thailand Public Health Volunteer Club of Thailand Culture Council Association of Thailand Cultural Council of Bangkok V-PEACE Volunteers for World Peace Alliance Ruam Jai Thai Union and its network Culture for Universal Virtue Association

Schedule

17 January 2553	Deadline for registration
19 January 2553	Opening Ceremony
4 February 2553	Seeking Parent's Forgiveness Ceremony
6 February 2553	Novice Ordination
8-13 February 2553	Monk Ordination
28 February 2553	Attending the Light of Peace Ceremony (Makha Bucha Day)
8 March 2553	Closing Ceremony

Note: The year is displayed in the Buddhist Era. The equivalent Christian Era is 2010.