More than 200 people learned about the power of the mind as the Dhamma on Time Group hosted a day-long merit-making ceremony and lecture on January 10, to celebrate the 94th birthday of the His Holiness Phra Dhammamongkolyarn, Lord Abbot of Thammamongkol Thummamongkhon Temple, Founder and Master Teacher of the Meditation of Willpower Institute.
Pattaya Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay presided over the morning religious rituals with the organisers Sopin Thappajug, MD of the Diana Group, Alvi Sinthuvanik, owner of Alvi’s Home of Thai Culture and Languages and Pratheep Malhotra, MD of the Pattaya Mail Media Group leading the merit making ceremonies.
Luangphor Viriyang autographs a portrait of himself on arrival at the Diana Garden Resort.
A colourful Lanna ‘Tung’ procession of traditional ceremonial flags followed by a bevy of exquisite Lanna dancers led a large number of devotees into the Thepjak Piman ballroom of the Diana Garden Resort. All were bearing symbolic ornaments and ‘sangkhathan’ alms (basic necessities) for presentation to the revered monk, who received them for distribution to those in need.
Sopin Thappajug also donated 940,000 baht to assist the Willpower institute to continue its noble task of education for all people.
Later that afternoon, His Holiness Luangphor Viriyang inspected the expansion work of the 57th Willpower Institute located at the Community Development Center next to Banglamung Vocational College. Work is expected to be complete soon and the institute will commence its first orientation course on February 16.
That evening more than 200 people packed the same ballroom to listen to the words of wisdom of His Holiness Luangphor Viriyang who spoke in English on Mind Power.
In his introduction on meditation and mind power Luangphor Viriyang said, “I have practiced meditation since I was 13 years old. It brought me contentment and happiness. I felt that I should share this experience because everyone around the world can get ‘extraordinary happiness’ from meditation.
“There are two kinds of meditation. One is natural meditation and the second is manifest meditation. Sleep is natural meditation. Everyone can practice natural meditation. Natural mediation only gives you ordinary happiness.
“One should develop natural meditation practice into manifest meditation which can produce mind power.
“Mind Power is the power within the mind which can be manifested through meditation.
“When ‘Mind Power’ reaches the proper level, it becomes very beneficial to humanity because ‘Mind Power’ can control your mind, without which even the smallest of disputes can turn into major conflicts, which can cause disunity in our society.
“These conflicts can become a danger to our family, our society, our country and our world.
“But if you have attained a certain level of ‘Mind Power’ and can control your mind, even major conflicts can be reduced to a minimum. It will draw humanity to become of one heart and one mind, bringing happiness to our family, our society, our country and to our world.”
At the end of a most sombre and thought provoking evening, Sopin Thappajug said, that this special evening, which included a sit down dinner, was her gift to the people of Pattaya to welcome in the new year.
The evening was fully sponsored by Diana Group without deducting any costs. Proceeds from the generous donations that evening amounted to more than 100,000 baht which was donated to the Willpower Institute Foundation for use in helping further the education of underprivileged children.
Those interested in furthering their knowledge of meditation and Mind Power can call the Will Power Institute for further information. Courses at the Willpower Institute in Pattaya will run each weekend day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. over six months. Enrolment is free for ages 18-60. For more information, call 087-414-2719 or 084-467-8249.
Lanna dancers lead the Tung procession with Sopin Thappajug at its head.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome pays respects to Phra Dhammamongkolyarn on behalf of the citizens of Pattaya.
Sopin Thappajug bids farewell to her meditation master at the end of a most educational evening.
Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay performs a religious ritual at the start of the ceremony.
Sopin Thappajug makes her offering to Luangphor Viriyang.
Luangphor Viriyang gives his blessings to the congregation.
Pratheep Malhotra pays his respects to the revered monk.
Devotees line up to make their offerings.
Guests make merit during the evening session.
Pratheep Malhotra performs his duties as MC with utmost humbleness and respect.
Mayor Itthiphol presents the donations from the evening function to Phra Dhammamongkolyarn.
Pratheep Malhotra presents 200 DVDs of Phra Dhammamongkolyarn’s biography which was translated and produced in the English language by the Pattaya Mail Media Group.
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, Sopin Thappajug, Alvi Sinthuvanik, Supa Kukarja and Pratheep Malhotra receive holy books on the teachings of Lord Buddha from Phra Dhammamongkolyarn.
Devotees and guests both Thai and foreign are mesmerized by Phra Dhammamongkolyarn’s talk on Mind Power.
