The Bodhigaya Dhammayatra marks a new chapter in the history of Buddhism. It highlights the strengths of the Mekong River Basin countries by strengthening their relations as Dhamma relatives who share the same spiritual father, the Lord Buddha, and the same mother, the Mekong River, which has nourished the people of these five nations since ancient times. Dr. Supachai Verapuchong, Managing Director of Thai Nakorn Patana Co., Ltd., who has been a business pioneer in the Mekong region for over 20 years and also serves as the Secretary-General of the Bodhigaya Vijjalaya 980 Institute, recognized the importance of adhering to Buddhist principles. By applying the Buddha’s teachings in all sectors to foster friendship and peace, the initiative aims to bring tranquility to the Mekong region. This serves as a vital bridge connecting the Land of the Buddha (Buddhaphum) to the Mekong Basin, the Land of Suvarnabhumi (the Golden Peninsula).
This initiative was driven by the following concept: "On the occasion of ASEAN's full integration, I foresee that with the opening of the AEC (ASEAN Economic Community), we can utilize the dimension of Buddhism to unite us—the Buddhist communities in the Suvarnabhumi land of the Mekong Basin. This will generate significant benefits and a major strength: as a group of Buddhist nations, we can collaborate and harmonize effectively. Thus, the idea emerged to unite neighboring countries in the Mekong Basin to collectively support Buddhism and build solid stability. Through love, unity, and our status as Dhamma relatives under the same spiritual father, there is a dream to see the Mekong region shine with happiness as the land of Suvarnabhumi. This reflects the era when Emperor Ashoka the Great sent Buddhist missionaries, led by Venerable Sona and Venerable Uttara, to propagate Buddhism in Suvarnabhumi." Driven by this vision, Dr. Supachai Verapuchong organized two International Sangha Conferences. During the final conference in Siem Reap, Cambodia, themed "Buddhism Transforms Suvarnabhumi: Harmony of Dhamma, the Land of Dhamma, the Golden Land," he invited the Most Venerable Dr. Phra Maha Phong Samaleuk, President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organization, to participate. This event marked the final religious mission of the Most Venerable Dr. Phra Maha Phong Samaleuk. It was a crucial religious endeavor that subsequently gave birth to the Bodhigaya Dhammayatra, under the name "The 5-Nation Dhammayatra: Retracing the Footsteps of the Noble Monks of the Mekong River Basin," before he fell severely ill and ultimately passed away.
The Most Venerable Dr. Phra Maha Phong Samaleuk, former President of the Lao Buddhist Fellowship Organization, delivered his final policy as the Advisory Monk of the Bodhigaya Institute before his passing at the age of 100. He instructed Dr. Supachai to "move forward with determination and continue working on the path of using Buddhism to transform Suvarnabhumi." This meant actively supporting and spreading the Buddha's teachings to foster relations among Buddhists across the Mekong Basin, also known as Suvarnabhumi. The goal was to support the application of Buddhist principles to turn turbulent situations into peace, find common ground in guiding humanity from wrong views (Micchaditthi) to right views (Sammaditthi), and collaborate in solving regional problems through the Buddha’s teachings. Today, the disciples of the Buddha lead laymen and laywomen in jointly sustaining Buddhism in accordance with the Buddha’s aspirations.
BodhigayaVijjalaya 980 Institute , Bodhigaya 980 Club, Virapuchong Foundation, and network partners from 5 countries joined hands to organize the 1st Bodhigaya Dhammayatra under the name "5 Lands Dhammayatra in the Footsteps of the Noble Monks of the Mekong River Basin" by leading Buddhists from 5 countries, totaling more than 200 monks/people, on a pilgrimage from Ubon Ratchathani Province to the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and back to the Kingdom of Thailand. This event was attended by tens of thousands of people, bringing joy and happiness to Buddhists from all 5 countries. The event received cooperation from the Sangha, the government, various agencies, and even merchants and individuals. The total travel period for merit-making activities at 34 temples and important places of Buddhism in 5 countries was 15 days. In addition, 15 saplings of the Maha Bodhi Tree were invited from the city of Gaya, India to be planted as a witness to the establishment of peace. and the friendship between Buddhists, which has existed since the past and has continued to the present.
Buddhist Diplomacy for World Peace is organized to strengthen the relationship and create unity among Buddhists in the Mekong River Basin. Based on the concept of "Buddhist Diplomacy for World Peace", it is believed that Buddhist relations will connect all people in the Mekong River Basin with the power of faith in the Dharma of the Lord Buddha. It aims for happiness from morality and Dharma of all people at all levels, which is the main practice to drive the Mekong River Basin countries towards peace with Buddhism. It can also deeply understand the way of thinking, creating right view in life, being sincere, honest, knowing cause and effect, sharing, and not taking advantage of each other, and being firmly established with the Dharma kinship, which is the truth of all times. No one has yet refuted the teachings of the Lord Buddha as "wrong" even in one way.
The BodhigayaVijjalaya 980 Institute wants to see the leaders of the country have virtue, following the concept of the great teacher, Dr. Phra Maha Phong Samalek, former president of the Center for Buddhist Relations of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, who once said that "The success of being a religious scholar must reach those who have the power to govern the country. We must make those in power understand the virtue. If those in power do not understand the virtue, the country will fail. To create world peace, we must create brotherly relations. We must use virtue as power, not power as virtue." The dream of wanting to see the ruler of the country have virtue and govern the people by using virtue as power, applying Buddhism to operations and solving problems in all sectors is an important foundation of the institute's work, leading to the organization of the 5-country Dhammayatra event. The past 2 events were a great success. Buddhists from 5 countries joined the Dhammayatra event in large numbers, showing the great power of faith of the masses and joining the campaign to practice the principles of Buddhism to create happiness, which is an important point in stepping towards becoming a peaceful nation.
Ganga-Mekong Holy Buddha Relics Dhammayatra
This is the greatest project, a pilgrimage connecting the lands of the Lord Buddha, from the Great Dharma River of India to the land of Buddhism in the Mekong River Basin of Thailand, led by the relics of the Lord Buddha from the National Museum of India, followed by the relics of the left and right chief disciples, Sariputta and Maha Moggallana, from the Great Stupa of Sanchi, India, from February 22 to March 19, 2024. This project was initiated by the collaboration between the Bodhgaya Institute 980, the Government of India, and the Government of Thailand to connect and spread the power of faith of the people in Buddhism in both regions to be strong and everlasting, to create the benefits of the principles of Dharma to create the power of unity and goodness of all mankind, to live together peacefully based on the philosophy of the Dharma teachings of the Lord Buddha, and to be an opportunity for the people to pay homage, as well as being an important historical symbol of the journey of the Lord Buddha to bestow blessings on Buddhists. After a gap of almost a century, the arrival of the relics this time is like the arrival of the Buddha himself. The welcoming ceremony therefore opens an opportunity for Buddhists to carry out religious activities together in various aspects, such as religious ceremonies and religious dharma, to create a network of dharma connections to continue love, unity, and create peace through dharma in Asia, the birthplace of Buddhism, which has been firmly established for more than 2,600 years.
From the Mekong Basin to the Great Ganges: Declaring the Century of Dhamma in the Land of the Buddha, Republic of India
This initiative is an extension of the 3rd Dhammayatra Project, titled Dhammayatra of the Lord Buddha's Relics: From the Great Ganges to the Mekong Basin, which involved the temporary enshrinement in Thailand of the Lord Buddha's holy relics, along with the Arahant relics of Venerable Sariputta and Venerable Maha Moggallana, brought from the Republic of India between February 22 and March 19, 2024. The current organization of the Dhammayatra Declaring the Century of Dhamma in the Land of the Buddha project marks the 4th Dhammayatra. It is held under the official name The 4th Dhammayatra: From the Mekong Basin to the Great Ganges, Declaring the Century of Dhamma in the Land of the Buddha, Republic of India, and is scheduled to take place over a period of 9 days, from December 2 to 10, 2024.
