| บทคัดย่อ(English) |
The objective of this research is to explain the Dhammakayameditation technique, and the modern movements utilizing it tobetter understand its importance to these movements. By betterunderstanding these modern Buddhist movements in Thailand, abetter understanding of Thai society can be gained. Although the Dhammakaya movement at Wat Phra Dhammakaya hasreceived some scholarly attention recently, much of theinformation concerning the meditation technique was omitted ordescribed inaccurately. As the meditation technique plays asignificant role in the different movements, it must be correctlyunderstood if one expects to fully understand the movements. Forthis reason it is necessary to begin by gaining a betterunderstanding of the founder, or 're-discoverer' of themeditation technique commonly known as Luang Phor Sodh. A briefbackground of Luang Phor Sodh reveals both his interest inmeditation and dissatisfaction with his progress in traditionalmeditation practices common in Thailand at that time. He devotesconsiderable time to studying the Maha Sattipattanasutta, andinterprets it to learn a meditation system which he called theDhammakaya system, and declared it to be the same system used bythe Buddha to reach enlightenment. Luang Phor Sodh's fame growsand he is appointed abbot of Wat Paknam, where he centers hismovement dedicated to meditation. The system is a complex visualization method wheremeditators, practicing in groups, concentrate on a variety ofimages in order to progress in mediation. Progress brings with itpowers, which may be applied differently, depending on themovement one follows. The system is shares many similarities withTantric meditation systems, and is quite different fromtraditional meditation systems. Luang Phor Sodh's death in 1959 brought about confusion anddisagreement over who should control Dhammakaya meditation, andthe movement split, with an elderly nun and her young followersestablishing their own meditation institute, which eventuallybecame Wat Phra Dhammakaya. The activities of Wat PhraDhammakaya, and their vocal claims to controlling the trueteachings of Dhammakaya meditation concerned other followers ofDhammakaya meditation not associated with Wat Phra Dhammakaya. Asa result, a new meditation institute formed in order to counterthe negative publicity of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, and safeguard themeditation technique from any unwarranted criticism. Thismeditation institute eventually became Wat Luang Phor SodhDammakayaram, and although it shares followers with Wat Paknam,it has its own goals and objectives. By examining the technique and the movements, and what theyoffer their followers, a more complete understanding of Thaisociety in general can be gained. |
