Dhammachai Dhutanga (April 2-6, 2012)
Press Release: Committee on Religion, Arts and Culture, House of Representatives holds the 1,500 monks Dhammachai Dhutanga austere pilgrimage to present the gold statue of Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro) and commemorate the 2,600th year anniversary of the Lord Buddha’s enlightenment
Grand historical celebration of the 2,600th year anniversary of the Lord Buddha’s enlightenment by spreading rose petals for 1,500 monks on their Dhutanga austere pilgrimage, presenting the 1-ton gold statue of Most Ven. Phramongkolthepmuni .
Ven. Sanitwongsa Vutthivangso, public relations officer of the Dhammachai Dhutanga project announced the Dhammachai Dhutanga austere pilgrimage of 1,500 monks to present the gold statue of Most Ven. Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro) to be enshrined at Wat Pak Nam temple, from April 2 until April 6, 2012. The Dhutanga austere pilgrimage route will pass through Phaholyothin Rd., Don Muang, Saphan Mai, Bang Khen, Victory Monument, Pratunam, Rajprasong, Bantadthong, Yaowarat, Phrapokklao Bridge, Wongwian Yai, Talad plu before reaching the final destination of Wat Pak Nam Temple.
The Dhutanga austere pilgrimage route will start on April 2, 2012 from Wat Phra Dhammakaya Temple to Dhupatemiya Stadium. The journey will go through Khlong Luang Rd. before turning left to Phaholyothin Rd. heading for Future Park Rangsit and Zeer Rangsit before arriving at Dhupatemiya Stadium. The monks will rest at Rangsit Spare Parts Market and Home Pro Dhanyaburi. The total distance for the first day is 17.1 Kilometer.
On Tuesday 3rd of April, the monks will start their austere pilgrimage from Dhupatemiya Stadium to Sarawitthaya School in Chatuchak district. Their route will pass through Phraholyothin Rd., Air Force Academy, Bang Khen Roundabout, 11th Infantry Regiment before arriving at the destination with the total distance of 12.8 Kilometers. They will make brief stops at Royal Thai Air Force Health Center and Lotus Supercenter Laksi.
On Wednesday 4th of April, the route will start from Sarawitthaya School to Thephasadin Stadium by passing on Phaholyothin Rd. through Central Plaza Ladprao, Chatuchak, Saphan Kwai, Victory Monument, Phayathai, Rajprarop, Rajdamri, Centralworld, Rama 1 Rd., Siam Paragon, MBK Center with the total distance of 16 Kilometers. The rest stop will be at Land Transport Department and Sri Ayutthaya School.
On Thursday 5th of April, the route will start from Thephasadin Stadium to Suankularb Wittayalai School passing through Rama 1 Rd., Bantadthong Rd., Rama 4 Rd., Chinese-Thai Friendship Rd., Wat Trimitra Temple on Yaowarat Rd., Chakrawat Rd., Mahachai Rd., Charoen Krung Rd., Tripetch Rd., with the total distance of 5.3 Kilometers. The rest stop will be at Wat Trimitra Temple.
On Friday 6th of April, the route will start from Suankularb Wittayalai School to Wat Paknam Temple passing Tripetch Rd., Prachatipok Rd., Wongwian Lek-Wong Wian Yai Rd., Intrapitak Rd., Tred Thai., Talad Plu, Rajmongkolprasat Rd. before arriving the final destination at Wat Pak Nam Temple with the total distance of 6.4 Kilometers.
Bangkok Metropolitan Police and Traffic Police will facilitate and supervise the traffic along the route.
The 1-ton gold statue of Most Ven. Phramongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro) – the late great abbot of Wat Pak Nam Tenmple – which was casted in 1994 will be presented along the way in order to be enshrined at Pramahajedi Maharajmangkala Cetiya, Wat Pak Nam Temple where he devoted his life teaching Dhamma and Dhammakaya Meditation until his final breath. The gold statue is currently enshrined at Wat Phra Dhammakaya Temple. People will spray rose petals along the way to welcome the Dhutanga monks. Buddhists believe that this act will bear great fortune and merit in their lives.
Dhutanga is a monastic austere practice. The monks usually practice Dhutanga regularly by setting their journey into the forest to find secluded places for meditation after the Rain-Retreat.
In time of the Lord Buddha, there was a major calamity in the city of Vaishali. Many people had suffered from natural disaster, evil spirits and plagues so they invited the Lord Buddha and 500 monks to bless the city. Before the arrival of the Lord Buddha and the monks, they cleaned the roads and decorated them with flowers. Once arrived, all calamities immediately disappeared. People were healed. Evil spirits were chased.
This Dhutanga austere pilgrimage is aimed to commemorate the 2,600th year anniversary of the Lord Buddha’s enlightenment as well as to restore morale and confidence to the people after suffering from devastating flood last year. It is also to demonstrate and revive the beautiful and dignified Buddhist culture as Thailand is considered the Center of World Buddhism.
This project is organized and supported by the Committee on Religion, arts, and culture, House of Representatives, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Bangkok Metropolitan Police, Office of National Buddhism, World Fellowship of Buddhist Youth, Wat Phra Dhammakaya Temple and Dhammakaya Foundation.
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Map showing the route
- A : Wat Phra Dhammakaya
- B : Thupatemi Royal Thai Air Force Sports Stadium
- C: Sarawitthaya School
- D : Thephasadin Stadium
- E : Suan Kularb School
- F : Wat Paknam
