Expansion of peace to citizens of the world
for world peace

With the awareness of the great benefits from meditation, followers of Luang Phaw worldwide both Thai and foreign were gathered to practice meditation and asked Phrarajbhavanavisudh’s permission to let the monks teach meditation.

With his kindness for Thai people in foreign countries and foreigners to be able to learn Buddhism and practice meditation, Phrarajbhavanavisudh decided to choose suitable people, monks, upasaka and upasika who had language skills and were well travelled.  This allowed the expansion of Buddhism to foreign countries by creating the first Buddhism center in California in the US in 1992. Now there are 60 centers in 29 countries, over several continents including North America, Europe, Oceania, Asia and South Africa.
North America: There are a total of 13 centres in the North American continent.

North America: There are a total of 13 branches in the North American continent

Europe: There are a total of 16 temples and meditation centers in 9 countries.

Asia: There are a total of 21 temples and meditation centers in 15 countries.

Oceania: There are a total of 8 temples and centres in 3 countries.

South Africa: There are a total of 2 centres.

All Dhammakaya Meditation Center around the world

Each centre has a regular meditation practice and activities including offering sustenance to Buddha on every first Sunday of the month, letting others rejoice in your merits that you have accumulated in the last month, releasing fish and other creatures, improving standards in the centres, and any other preparation needed for special ceremonies.  In addition, people are invited to meditate and practice dhamma in every ceremony.

Moreover, a number of courses have been opened for foreigners to attend. The activities include preventing temptations, such as pouring away alcohol and burning tobacco.  There has also been set up a meditation course for students and the Dhammadayada ordination program for Thai and foreign people.

The establishment of Meditation centers in foreign countries is to provide an opportunity for people to practice meditation continuously. The benefits are finding true happiness and peace for people around the world.

Dr Jeffrey Wilson
Associate Supervisor and Research Consultant,
University of Sydney, AUSTRALIA

"The benefits that I have received from the practice of meditation are enormous. Firstly, it has relieved serious stress problems from which I previously suffered. Secondly, it has helped to solve certain philosophical questions which I have always been troubled by.  Thirdly, it has opened up the great chasm of collective unconscious, making previously in accessible inner experiences available to detached awareness."

Dr. Elizabeth Guthrie
Assistant Lecturer
Department of Theology and Religious Studies
Univerity of Otago, Dunedin

"Last Sunday, January 21, 2007, I had the pleasure of being present at the historic occasion of the opening of the Dunedin Meditation Centre. I know that many people worked very hard for many months to establish the Centre. I am happy to say that the energy and enthusiasm of the Venerables, the staff and lay volunteers bore fruit. On the morning of the inauguration of the Centre, everything was beautifully decorated with flowers and offerings. And despite Dunedin's rainy weather, many people came from as far away as Invercargill and Oamaru to participate in this meritorious occasion. All the participants appreciated Luang Phaw's message of world peace that was presented in the audio-visual materials and in the sermon given by Phra Sudhammo. In this positive atmosphere, even those with no experience in contemplative techniques were happy to sit together in meditation. I feel that the opening of the Centre, and the presence of Buddhist monks and devout Buddhist laypeople will be of great benefit to the Dunedin community, to the South Island of New Zealand, and will help bring about world peace. I want to thank The Most Venerable Phrarajbhavanavisudhi (Most Venerable Dhammajayo Bhikkhu) for his wisdom and generosity in founding the Dunedin Meditation Centre."

Ronald  Hutchinson
Johannesburg, South Africa
Businessman

I first met the Abbot Dhammajayo in November 2006.  In the conversation I saw his beautiful heart for mankind.  Once I heard that he would love to see everyone in this world meditate and gain peace inside, I was overwhelmed.  In Africa, we have a mix of races whereas the native black people are worse off and their minds are so far away from peace.  Amazingly the Abbot includes the blacks in his vision of world peace. 

When he says, "World peace through inner peace," it is so outstanding and innovative.  Meditation is so simple that it doesn't take me longer than 2 weeks to calm down and become peaceful.

Thank you so much my dearest Abbot that you have sent monks to teach meditation in my country.  We owe you so much.