DR.SUPACHAI VERAPUCHONG
Founder , Secretary – General
BodhiGayāVijjālaya 980 Institute, India
CONTACT
INDIA OFFICE :
The Royal Monastry Bodhgaya
935 Bodh Gaya, Bihar , India 824231
Mob.+919973633833
THAILAND OFFICE :
14 Soi Ngamwongwan 8 , Ngamwongwan Rd ,
Tambon Bang Khen, Amphoe Mueang Nonthaburi,
Chang Wat Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
Tel.+666 1514 3352
BodhiGayāVijjālaya 980 Institute, India
Under the Patronage of Buddhagaya Thai Temple (Royal Thai Monastery), Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar and Bodhigaya 980 Club , Verapuchong Foundation
On the auspicious occasion of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 80th birthday anniversary in 2007, the Royal Thai Embassy in New Delhi, Republic of India, organized a mass ordination ceremony dedicated to HM the King in the vicinity of the Bodhi tree where Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment, and at the Buddhagaya Thai Temple (Royal Thai Monastery). Eighty-six Thai nationals, comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Thai Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, businessmen and layman, were ordained as Buddhist monks at that time. During visits to holy sites such as Rajagir, Saravasti, and Chetavana Vihara, these monks immersed themselves in the study and practice of the Buddha’s teachings, an experience that further strengthened their faith in Buddhism.
After leaving the monkhood, this group of former monks, who call themselves the “Bodhi” group, founded the Bodhigaya 980 Club with the aim to perform good deeds for Buddhism and for lay society. In accordance with this goal, they agreed to support the founding of Bodhigayavijjalaya 980 Institute. The Institute’s very first endeavor, which continues today, is the project to sponsor Buddhist monks from Thailand and Mekong river region such as Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam to travel to the Buddha’s homeland in order to immerse themselves in the in-depth study and practice of dhamma. Recognizing the importance of educating the sangha, the Institute created the Buddha Bhumi Study Program focusing on the application of the Teachings in every aspect of life and work with the aim of achieving change in oneself and by extension, in one’s community and society at large. As such, the Program’s goals are to promote true awareness of situations as they are, which will lead to the formation of appropriate perspectives and positions based on a true understanding of problems and obstacles; and to encourage the appropriate application of the Buddha’s teachings, gained from studies of the Tipitaka and from meditation, to find timely solutions to problems which arise domestically as well as in neighboring countries and in the global community.
OBJECTIVE and TARGETS
To develop personnel who are able to apply dhamma in their work serving Buddhism
To train Buddhist missionaries in the promulgation of Buddhism in India and Nepal, the Buddha’s home country
To develop lecturers to spread Buddhism among Buddhist assemblies
To support mediation study according to the sangha’s curriculum
To study Buddhist history and archaeological evidences in the Buddha’s home country
To spread the Buddha’s teachings among the public at large
To further strengthen Buddhism in Thailand, Mekong river region and the world community
To promote good relations between Thailand, India and Mekong river region through religion, the arts, culture and interchange of customs
To encourage those previously ordained under the Bodhi Tree in Buddhagaya to join the Bodhigaya 980 Club and jointly carry out activities in support of the sustenance and promotion of Buddhism in Thailand and Mekong River region such as Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar.
In addition, BODHIGAYAVIJJALAYA 980 INSTITUTE has organized projects related to Buddhism in Thailand and in the Mekong region. The details are briefly as follows.
13 Octorber 2013
Attended the international conference in The World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) at Bangkok Thailand with the Most Venerable Phramaha Phong Samaleuk, the 4th President of the Central Buddhist Fellowship Organization of Lao PDR
21 May – 4 June 2017
Dhammayatra in 5 Mekong River basin countries, 1st (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam) Theme: Follow in the path of Phra Ariya monks, Mekong River Basin.
A monumental success and has since received much praise and encouragement from both Buddhist religious leaders and leaders of the five countries: Myanmar, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.
15-31 Octorber 2019
Organized the Project of Dhammayatra in 5 Mekong River basin countries, 2nd (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam)
Theme : Buddhist Diplomacy
A monumental success and has since received much praise and encouragement from both Buddhist religious leaders and leaders of the five countries: Myanmar, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.
2 March 2020
Boddhigayavijjalaya 980 Institute, Verapuchong Foundation and Faculty of Buddhism, mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya university (MCU) have organized the Research Project “AN INFLUENCE OF NAGA KING IN FIVE MEKONG RIVER BASIN COUNTRIES” It is divided into 5 volumes: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
Content scope in this research work, the main content is to focus on the concept of Naga King which appears in Buddhist scriptures, such as Tipitaka, Commentaries etc., and other academic works such as texts, research work, academic papers, etc., including to the theory of belief.
5 February 2023
The BodhiGayā Vijālaya 980 Institute, in collaboration with the Faculty of Buddhism at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU), supported by the Veeraphuchong Foundation, Mukdahan Province organized the “BodhigayāNāgādhipati Award” Ceremony (the 1st Annual Award for the year 2023) on 5th February 2023, at the Kaeng Krabao, Pong Kham, Wan Yai District, Mukdahan Province. This event aims to honour and recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to Buddhism and demonstrate faith in the virtues of the Naga King.
22 February – 19 March 2024
The Dhammayatra project is the third one “Ganga -Mekong Holy Buddha Relics Dhammayatra “constructed to be the greatest and grandest Dhammayatra in history as it associates Ganga lands of Buddha’s life and Mekong river lands of Buddhists by enshrinement of the Sacred Relics of the Lord Buddha, transported from National Museum, New Delhi, followed by the relics of the great disciples Arahant Sāriputta and Arahant Mahā Moggallāna from Sanchi Stupa, India. This ceremony is organized by the BodhiGayā Vijjālaya 980 Institute in cooperation with the governments of India and Thailand to bring forward faith, unity and harmony among the people to live by Lord Buddha’s preachings. The relics will be enshrined for the public to pay reverence after a century ago. The occasion is personified as the Lord Buddha’s journey to bless mankind himself. Joining this reception is a great opportunity to embrace the Lord Buddha’s preaching brought forward affection, harmony and peace in Asia, the land where Buddhism was founded and firmly established over 2,600 years ago.
20 June 2024
Organize the Discussion Programme “DhammaVijaya to Dhamma Century” Lighting Candles of Dhamma in Ubon Ratchathani, the World of Meditation (A Project expansion from “Ganga – Mekong Holy Relics Dhammayatra together with chief disciples Arahant Sāriputta and Arahant Mahā Moggallāna) at Ubon Ratchathani University
9 August 2024
The BodhiGayā Vijālaya 980 Institute, in collaboration with the Faculty of Buddhism at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU), supported by the Veraphuchong Foundation, Krabi Province, Krabi Provincial Administrative Organization, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand, organized the “BodhigayāNāgādhipati Award” Ceremony (the 2nd Annual Award for the year 2024) on August 9, 2024, at the Krabi Provincial Administrative Organization. This event aims to honor and recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to Buddhism and demonstrate faith in the virtues of the Naga King.
10 August 2024
Organize the Discussion Programme “DhammaVijaya to Dhamma Century” Krabi as the Gateway to the sacred civilization Puchong Nāgādhipati’s role in enhancing Dhamma (A Project expansion from “Ganga – Mekong Holy Relics Dhammayatra together with chief disciples Arahant Sāriputta and Arahant Mahā Moggallāna) at Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort