The Journey of Chaiyaboon and the Establishment of Dhammakaya Temple : หน้า 20/135

Here is the extracted text from the image: --- Chaiyaboon achieved a high level of success in the Dhammakaya meditation practice, and Khun Yai assigned him to teach meditation to others. Chaiyaboon came to realize that his real purpose in life was to become a Buddhist monk. Khun Yai was pleased to hear of his intention but advised him to finish college before entering monkhood. Chaiyaboon graduated from Kasetsart University in April 1969, with a Bachelor's degree in economics, and was ordained at Wat Paknam on August 27th of the same year. His monastic name was Dhammayao Bhikkhu( currently Prathibhayanmunhawi), Abtbootstrap Dhammakaya Temple), also known as Luang Por Dhammayenyo. Luang Por Dhammayenyo went on to become a legendary monk and spiritual leader who successfully propagates the Dhammakaya Knowledge to the world. Padej, another key disciple of Khun Yai, was also a graduate of Kasetsart University. Padej had a compelling personality and natural leadership qualities. Padej, too, had found Dhammayenyo to be his shining light and decided to become a monk for life. He was ordained on December 19, 1970, at Wat Paknam. His monastic name was Dattajivo Bhikkhu (currently Pra bhavanivakinya, Vice Abbot of the Dhammakaya Temple), also known as Luang Por Dhattajivoe. Today, Luang Por Dattajeevo is a world-renowned Buddhist scholar who has written and published scores of books on Buddhism. After the ordination of Luang Por Dhammayao, Khun Yai felt the time was right for them to build a Buddhist temple where true monks could be developed and the Dhammakaya Knowledge could be propagated to benefit mankind. This was a grand vision indeed, but could it be achieved? To fulfill this vision, a great deal of financial resources would be needed. Unfortunately, all that Khun Yai had was her own savings of a mere 3,000 Baht (US$160 in 1970). But Khun Yai was a perpetual optimist who was driven by merit and merit power. She strongly believed that the virtue of good deeds performed by her and her team members would attract sufficient "celestial treasures" to make this mission possible. Khun Yai and Dhammayao Bhikkhu envisioned that their future temple would be built on a sizeable piece of land not too far from Bangkok, with a river or creek flowing through it. The team set out to look for such a land. They found a tract of land in Pathumthani, ten miles from the Bangkok International Airport. This land was owned by Lady Prayad Prattapayonsa-Visudhadhip- bodi, an aristocratic lady. The team was not certain that Lady Prayad would be willing to sell part of the land she owned, but proceeded to arrange for a meeting with her. The day that Khun Yai's team met with Lady Prayad also happened to coincide with Lady Prayad's birthday. It was a lucky day for Khun Yai and the team. Not only was Lady Prayad willing to part with the land, but she was in fact willing to donate the entire 78.4 acres of her land to the future temple. This was nothing less than a miracle. Needless to say, everyone was overjoyed.