If you are sitting in a window seat on a flight into Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport it would be hard not to notice Wat Dhammakaya. From the air at 2000 feet it looks just like an alien space ship or at least one that Hollywood has conditioned us to believe is out there.
Founded in 1970 it takes up around 800 acres of land and is listed by websites as the world’s largest temple. Over the years Wat Dhammakaya has grown and today list more than 150 buildings. The center of the grounds is a massive sphere-shaped stupa that is covered with 300,000 Buddha images.
The Dhammakaya foundation has been in the news a lot lately. Not good press, but charges of corruption. With an estimated three million followers the Dhammakaya foundation has been the fastest growing Buddhist temple in Thailand.
Just so everyone knows, I am not a religious person, not a Buddhist or anything much else. But I have been drawn to Wat Dhammakaya from the first time I visited.
The reason is simple. The temple and the people who gather their make great photographs.
If you want to learn more about Wat Dhammakaya and the politics behind it, just Google it.
Buddhist monks gather for ceremonies at Wat Dhammakaya in Bangkok.
Novice Buddhist monks gather for ceremonies at Wat Dhammakaya.
Novice Buddhist monks gather for ceremonies at Wat Dhammakaya.
The faithful followers of Wat Dhammakaya gather.
The faithful followers of Wat Dhammakaya gather.
The faithful followers of Wat Dhammakaya gather.
The faithful followers of Wat Dhammakaya gather.
The faithful offers prayers as ceremonies conclude at Wat Dhammakaya. The temple is considered by many to be the world's largest.
Buddhist monks enter Wat Dhammakaya for ceremonies.
The faithful followers of Wat Dhammakaya gather.
The faithful light fireworks during ceremonies at WatDhammayaka.
Buddhist monks leave ceremonies at Wat Dhammakaya.
