An Assembly of 50,000 Monks
for the Celebration of the Earth Day 2007
Sunday 22nd April at
Dhammakaya Temple, Thailand
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In the past
Earth Day was announced for the first time on 22nd April 1970 after the duration of the eight-year struggling made by many groups of world citizen in the effort to thrust the issue of the earth’s environmental quality into every nation’s political dialogue. Apart from the deterioration of the environmental conservation, people of the world are also well aware to the reality that the planet is facing other serious unsolved threats too, especially those engendered from human’s selfishness and biases that have pushed the world into many-time crisis and warfare. Since the past decades up to now world peace has remained the real challenge waiting to be achieved…
On going
This year marks the 37th anniversary of the Earth Day. While the world inhabitants are longing to witness the peaceful earth for all mankind, with hope, a variety of activities concerning the future welfare of the earth and the possibly rising of world peace will be held across the globe to celebrate the occasion.
In Thailand where Buddhism is the national religion, Thai Buddhists by nature are peaceful people as the result of the Teachings of the Lord Buddha who formed a culture of non-violence. Non-violence comes from a peaceful mind. And it is widely known to every Buddhist that a still mind can be made possible through the practice of meditation.
Up coming
At the venue of the World Dhammakaya Centre (WDC) in Thailand, a grand ceremony will be held to recognize the amazing vision, passion and tireless enthusiasm of its founders during 1960s. Activities for this year’s Earth Day celebration will emphasize |
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on the foundation of the inner peace. And the Buddhist monks are taking a leading role in the meditation toward such goal – world peace through inner peace. |
The driving force
Phrarajbhavanavisudh (Luang Phor Dhammajayo), the President of Dhammakaya Foundation who initiates the celebration is one of the most talented meditation masters. He has devoted himself for more than three decades in teaching meditation to people of all nationalities, races and religions who came to him. “Think global, act local” is a phrase that he took to his heart in his effort to generate world peace through inner peace (meditation). He authentically cares for the peace of mankind, much before it became fashionable.
The Event
His experience enables him to explore the possibility of receiving all Buddhist monks and people around the world to work seamlessly together for the peace-work. He comes up with a brilliant plan of inviting 50,000 monks from over 20,000 temples across the country to purify the earth by means of meditation.
Besides he will offer the necessities to the 20,000 monasteries. Thus, the monks could continue their devotion to the creation of peace in the vicinity they belong. Especially, on this special occasion of Earth Day, the gathering of 50,000 monks at a time and at a sacred place is a very rare occurrence, even in the greatest Buddhist country as Thailand.
Giving makes the world go round. By supporting the monastic community, laity maintains the intactness of the Triple Gem for perpetuity – for the peace and harmony of society and the world at large.
The outcome
Bringing together monks from different sects nationwide could also create unity in the Sangha (the assembly of the monks). Once all monks get together, more co-operations would be achieved.
The Day's Finale
Casting the Buddha images is to mark the end of the day. The cast images will be enshrined inside the Dhammakaya Cetiya. Each evening at six, people will get together to express their worship.
Words of Worship
Before going
Please prepare white attires to help make a peaceful vibration. Enjoy big crowd – all of which come for peace. Go together in the road to make world peace through meditation. See you.
09:30 a.m. |
Morning meditation on Earth Day led by Abbot Dhammajayo |
11.00 a.m. |
Lunch offering to 50,000 monks worldwide |
11.15 a.m. |
Lunch break |
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02.00 p.m. |
Ceremony of Offering Sustenance to 50,000 monks from 20,000 temples (including 266 temples in the 4 troubled provinces of the South) |
03.00 p.m. |
Welcome and Thank-You speeches by Abbot Dhammajayo |
03.45 p.m. |
Afternoon break |
04.00 p.m. |
Circumambulation around the ‘The Grand Meditation Amphitheatre’ |
06.00 p.m. |
Evening meditation |
06.15 p.m. |
Ceremony of Casting Buddha Images |
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07.15 p.m. |
End |
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Ceremony of Offering Sustenance to 50,000 monks from 20,000 temples |
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Circumambulation around the ‘The Grand Meditation Amphitheatre’ |
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Ceremony of Casting Buddha Images |
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Map to the Temple
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