Wat Phra Dhammakaya

#26 among destinations in Thailand

Temple, Top attraction

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Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Thailand, is an emblematic and vast Buddhist temple complex known for its distinctive architecture and sprawling meditation spaces. Located in the Khlong Luang District of Pathum Thani Province, this temple has gained international recognition for its grandiose size and its focus on the Dhammakaya meditation method.

The temple was established in 1970 by the Venerable Maechi Chandra Khonnokyoong and her student, the Venerable Dhammajayo Bhikkhu. It is characterized by its central stupa, known as the Dhammakaya Cetiya, which is adorned with hundreds of thousands of Buddha statues. This glittering structure represents the three jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Dharma (his teachings), and the Sangha (the monastic community).

Wat Phra Dhammakaya covers an area exceeding 1,000 acres, making it one of the largest temple complexes in Thailand. It is renowned for its large-scale meditation events, which can accommodate hundreds of thousands of participants in a single gathering. The temple's approach to Buddhism emphasizes personal transformation through inner peace and mental discipline.

The site has not been without controversy, with the temple's leadership facing legal challenges and criticism over fundraising practices. Nevertheless, Wat Phra Dhammakaya continues to be a beacon for many seeking spiritual growth, offering a unique blend of traditional Theravada Buddhism and modern organizational methods.

Local name: วัดพระธรรมกาย Established: 1970 (54 years ago)Coordinates: 14°4'45"N, 100°38'56"E

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Pathum ThaniThailand

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Wat Phra Dhammakaya – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: National Science Museum, History of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum, Golden Jubilee Museum of Agriculture.

5 miSE
Science museum, Natural history museum, Museum
National Science Museum, Bangkok
127 min walk • The National Science Museum Thailand is a state enterprise established on 30 January 1995 under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation.
0.5 miSW
Temple
History of Wat Phra Dhammakaya
12 min walk • Wat Phra Dhammakaya is a Buddhist temple in Thailand. It was founded in 1970 by the maechi Chandra Khonnokyoong and Luang Por Dhammajayo. The temple's founding has roots in the Dhammakaya tradition founded by Luang Pu Sodh Candasaro at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen in the early 20th century.
3.5 miSW
Museum, Art museum
Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum
91 min walk • The Southeast Asian Ceramics Museum is a history museum in Bangkok University, Pathum Thani, Thailand, displaying Southeast Asian ceramics. The museum opened to the public on 11 May 2005. Princess Maha Chaki Sirindhorn presided over the official inauguration of the museum on 20 November 2009.
3.4 miNW
Museum
Golden Jubilee Museum of Agriculture
87 min walk • The Golden Jubilee Museum of Agriculture, is an agricultural museum in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand.
2.5 miW
Universities and schools
Asian Institute of Technology
65 min walk • The Asian Institute of Technology, founded in 1959, is an international organization for higher education situated 40 km north of Bangkok, Thailand.
5.6 miSW
Locality
Pathum Thani
144 min walk • One of the must-visit attractions in Pathum Thani is the Wat Chedi Hoi, also known as the Million Bottle Temple. This unique temple is constructed using over one million recycled glass bottles, creating a stunning and environmentally friendly architectural marvel.
2.8 miW
Universities and schools
Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology
73 min walk • Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology is a semi-autonomous institute of technology established in 1992 within Thammasat University. It is located in Pathum Thani, Thailand.
5.8 miS
Football, Sport venue, Arenas and stadiums
Leo Stadium
148 min walk • BG Stadium is a three-sided football stadium in Thanyaburi, Pathum Thani, Thailand, holding 10,114 spectators. It is the home of BG Pathum United of the Thai League 1. Since opened, the ground has been installed with high-quality artificial surface. However, from the season 2018 onward the stadium was replaced with real grass.
5.4 miS
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
North Bangkok University Stadium
138 min walk • North Bangkok University Football Club, is a Thailand football club under the stewardship of North Bangkok University based in Pathum Thani. The club is currently playing in the Thai League 3 Bangkok metropolitan region.
3.4 miW
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
Thammasat Stadium
88 min walk • Thammasat Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the city of Rangsit, Pathum Thani, Thailand. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 25,000. It is on Thammasat University's Rangsit campus. It is located close to Bangkok.
6.2 miSE
Sport venue, Sport, Arenas and stadiums
Queen Sirikit 60th Anniversary Stadium
160 min walk • Queen Sirikit 60th Anniversary Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. The stadium was built on occasion of celebration the 60th Birthday Anniversary of Queen Sirikit, hence the name of the venue.