The Dhammakaya Temple and Me

The Dhammakaya Temple is special in its acceptance for others and its virtuous and safe community. Within the temple, you can witness the peace all around. Most people live in relative harmony, and in general, there is a sense of safety and friendliness amongst the community. The temple itself is unique in its non-discriminative nature. Open to everyone, the temple encourages peace for all, regardless of race, gender, or ethnicity. It strives to reach this goal through global meditation programs and has helped many people around the world find some form of peace.

My personal experience with the temple is a great one. As an American, I am still able to visit many summers and join its ordination program, which allows people to train as laymen and experience the lifestyle of a Buddhist monk. These summer ordination programs have honestly been some of the most enriching, educational learning experiences in my life. Through the years, I have learned discipline, meditation, and a mental control that I never would have had before.

Luang Por Dhammajayo, the abbot of the Dhammakaya temple, is one of the most compassionate men I have met. Constantly working on the improvement of the temple, Luang Por Dhammajayo has implemented various programs that have helped many around the world. His V-Star program took 100 children around Thailand and taught them meditation skills while emphasizing the importance of school and education. Such a large scale program with such positive goals is rare and is a true testament to how Luang Por Dhammajayo and the temple wish for peace throughout the world.