Phramongkolthepmuni
Phramongkolthepmuni
1. LUANGPU’S BIRTH PLACE
Lotus Land, Suphanburi, Home of the Memorial Hall of Phramongkolthepmuni
Memorial Viharn of Phra Mongkolthepmuni (Lotusland)
Birthplace of the human body of Phra Mongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro)
Given name: Sodh Meekaewnoi
Born October 10, 1884.
At Ban Song Phi Nong, Subdistrict Song Phi Nong Song Phi Nong District Suphan Buri Province
The Great Master was born Sodh Mikaewnoi on 10 October 1884 in Songpinong District of Suphanburi Province on an 8-acre land uniquely resembling two lotus flowers. It is surrounded by water and sits opposite Wat Songpinong. Sodh received his formal education at the age of nine from his uncle who was an ordained monk at Wat Songpinong. A few months later his uncle moved to another temple, Wat Hua Bho, and Sodh followed. After that Sodh went on to continue his study at Wat Bangpla under the tutelage of Luangpor Saap.
The Memorial Hall of Phramongkolthepmuni was built on this land by devotees of the Great Master. The hall has the feature of an octagonal mountain of gold and contains the chronicles of Luangpu’s pursuit of Perfections from youth until the final periods of his life. Enshrined within the hall is a gold statue of the Great Master where lay people can come to pay respect and be inspired by his remarkable virtues.
The Significance of the Phra Mongkolthepmuni Memorial Hall (Lotus Land)
The Significance of the Phra Mongkolthepmuni Memorial Hall (Lotus Land), Song Phi Nong District, Suphanburi Province
The Phra Mongkolthepmuni Memorial Hall (Lotus Land) in Song Phi Nong District, Suphanburi Province is the birthplace of the Venerable Luang Pu, the Conqueror of Mara. This site is of great importance; without it, the Conqueror of Mara would not have come into being, as this place is where his physical form manifested.
The pillar located there is his “birth pillar.” The world is vast, with many countries and regions flourishing, yet he chose this place in Thailand. Out of more than seventy provinces, he did not choose any other, but selected Suphanburi Province. Even within this large province, he chose Song Phi Nong District. Although this district is not small, he chose to be born specifically at Lotus Land.
Therefore, this place is the starting point. Without this site, there would be no other. If it were not for this location, there would be no other, and thus no Phra Dhamma Kaya Temple. The expansion of the work worldwide began from this point. Even though Mara resisted intensely, trying to prevent his birth, he still manifested.
The birth of the Venerable Luang Pu, the Conqueror of Mara, was not easy; Mara resisted vigorously. Since he was born to conquer Mara, Mara’s greatest fear was his manifestation in human form. Human bodies are more powerful than subtle bodies. If he had remained in a divine form, it would have been more comfortable but less powerful.
Thus, he had to manifest in human form to achieve enlightenment, to conquer Mara and eradicate defilements, and to address the root causes of suffering for all beings. This is of great significance and his aspiration has been long-standing.
Therefore, participating in every activity of the Dharma Journey to honor the Conqueror of Mara should be done wholeheartedly. Now that we have a human body, making merit will be more powerful and complete. The human body is meant for building merit, connecting to the path of merit creation that he has continuously developed over a long period.
Thus, those who join in every Dharma Journey activity to honor the Venerable Conqueror of Mara and aspire to follow his path will be seen by him, as he observes through the Center of the Body and encompasses everyone.
Luang Por Dhammajayo
• Video About the Memorial Site
• Participate in Meditation and Take Historical Group Photos
Dhamma Yatra: Participate in Meditation and Take Historical Group Photos in the 'Gratitude Dhamma Yatra Project to Honor the Great Teacher, Phra Mongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro), the Conqueror of Mara' - 12th Year, January 4, 2024, at the Phra Mongkolthepmuni Memorial Hall, Suphanburi Province
• Ceremony of Lighting Oil Lamps as an Offering to the Buddha
Ceremony of Lighting Oil Lamps as an Offering to the Buddha and Paying Homage to the Great Teacher in the 'Gratitude Dhamma Yatra Project to Honor the Great Teacher, Phra Mongkolthepmuni (Sodh Candasaro), the Conqueror of Mara' - 12th Year, January 6, 2024, at the Phra Mongkolthepmuni Memorial Hall, Song Phi Nong District, Suphanburi Province
