EVER SINCE ANCIENT TIMES, Buddhists have always come together
to build holy sanctuaries known as 'cetiyas','stupas' or 'pagodas',as models
of the cosmos in order to pass down to younger generations the knowledge
of the Triple Gem in its entirety,together with spreading of theWay of
practice so that there might never be a time in the future for Buddhism
to disappear from the world.
For this same reason, the tradition of the Dhammakaya
Cetiya is now to be restored to the modern world upon the site of the World
Dhammakaya Centre as a symbol of the majestic grandeur and pricelessness
of the Lord Buddha's Teaching.
The Dhammahaya Cetiya is hemispherical in design following
the architectural style of the oldest surviving Indian Buddhist cetiya
at Sanchi.
THE DHAMMAKAYA CETIYA
The symbolic design exemplifies the inseparable unity of
Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha--- the Triple Gem which is the ultimate refuge
of mankind section-by-section in the following ways:
Section One: a hemispherical dome marks the peak of
the cetiya with the terraced base forming concentric circles below. The
dome is 108 metres in diameter and contains a sacred image of the Dhammakaya
in solid gold together with the relics of the Lord Buddha in homage to
the first of the Triple Gem: the Buddha.
The deeper meaning of the hemispheric dome can be interpreted
both in terms of Buddhist cosmology and Buddhist practice. Cosmologically
speaking, the dome is the astral bowl of the universe symbolizing samsara
and the possibility of liberation from its clutches through passing the
mind through the centre of the body (as shown by the symbol in the centre
of the cetiya). Speaking in terms of Dhamma practice within the body of
the Lord Buddha,the dome is called the tathagatagarbha--- the 'realm' or
the 'birthplace' of the Dhammakaya, the actuality of which can be proven
independently by all who manage to train their mind successfully at the
centre of the body.
The Dhammakaya is the body of enlightenment of the Lord
Buddha ---
the very essence of Buddhahood --- which, according to
ancient belief, would enter upon Nirvana as soon as the Buddha came to
the end of his final lifetime.
The ever-expanding concentric terraces around the base
of the dome are, to accommodate a countless myriad of Dhammakaya images
--- haloes of light around the dome to symbolize the spreading of the Dhamma
ever outwards for the peace of the beings of the world.
The distinct levels of the terraces echo the distinct
heights of spiritual
development.
Section Two: the broad peripheral terraces are in homage
to the second of the Triple Gem: the Dhamma --- which brings limitless
peace and happiness to the people of the world.
Section Three: the broad expanse of land up to the boundary
edge of the cetiya is in homage to the third of the Triple Gem: the Sangha,
and is designated as a sanctuary for monks and novices to practice meditation
during important religious ceremonies.
Don't overlook
the chance of lifetime...
It has been the tradition of Buddhists since ancient times
to build Buddha images in temple grounds as an act of devotion and in homage
and recollection of the supreme virtues of the Lord Buddha. Some relatives
join as patrons of a family Buddha image. Others are patron to a personal
Buddha image.
Since times of old until the present day, royal dynasties
have built temples and Buddha images to mark the coronation of each new
monarch, in the belief that the Buddha image created has a special sanctity
to protect that sovreign and the Kingdom under his reign.
Creating a Buddha image is now no longer the realm of
royalty and the aristocracy--- but a gesture of devotion through which
you can be one part of the Dhammakaya Cetiya and the Dhammakaya Cetiya
can be a part of you! On this important and auspicious occasion, you have
in your hands the opportunity to perpetuate the elegant tradition of your
ancestors and Buddhists of old by creating a Buddha image in the form of
the Body of Enlightenment of the Lord Buddha to take its place high upon
the upper terraces of the Dhammakaya Cetiya. The brazen images of the Dhammakaya
will be eighteen centimetres tall and are available to become your own
personal contribution to the building of the Dhammakaya Cetiya if you make
a donation of 10,000 Baht (U.S.$260) or more. The name of the patron for
each image will be enscribed upon the base of cvery Buddha image he or
she has created in order to bring prosperity and blessing to their life.
You will be moved to pride and joy whenever you recollect
of the magnitude of you generosity in becoming patron to the creation of
a Buddha image for the Dhammakaya Cetiya as you have on this occasion,
as the object of respect for countless future generations --- a recollected
image of the Buddha that will never perish from the centre of your mind
as you continue to practise in the footsteps of the Lord Buddha.
