3. Place of Ordination

The Wat Songpinong Memorial in Suphanburi holds great significance. At the age of 19, while traveling by boat through the Bang Nang Taen Canal, Venerable Luang Pu, who later became known as the Conqueror of Mara, made a profound vow to ordain as a monk for life.

Mara tried with all its might to prevent him from ordaining, but Venerable Luang Pu, with his immense spiritual power, overcame these obstacles. He transcended worldly distractions and desires, and was reborn as a monk.

Thus, the Wat Songpinong Memorial represents the site of his rebirth in monastic life. It is a place of great reverence where he began his monastic journey, which eventually led him to attain enlightenment through the Dhamakaya. He further disseminated this knowledge and pursued the path to overcome Mara, ultimately expanding the teachings of Dhamakaya across the globe at Wat Phra Dhammakaya.

The ordination hall at Wat Songpinong is where Venerable Luang Pu was ordained. Upon leaving the hall, he committed to the monastic life for the rest of his life. Therefore, this memorial holds profound importance.

Honoring the Conqueror of Mara is no ordinary task. The reputation of those who show gratitude and reverence will spread across the vast universe, including the countless realms.

Thus, let us continuously remember him, for he has placed us at the center of his being. Both monks and laypeople will benefit from his blessings. Venerable Luang Pu possesses great merit; otherwise, he would not have been able to overcome Mara. To conquer Mara requires immense spiritual power.

We are undertaking this task out of gratitude and to uphold the Buddha’s teachings, as well as to pave the way for our own merit. Therefore, if we are not enthusiastic, we are missing out. We should be enthusiastic from today and continue to be so, without waiting for the final day of the Dharma Yatra to feel this way. We must appreciate every step of the journey. Wise individuals create merit daily through good thoughts, speech, and actions, leading to happiness, joy, and fulfillment.

Participating in the establishment of the Venerable Luang Pu (Sodh Candasaro) Memorial along the path of the Conqueror of Mara is considered an act of great merit. Even though the monks in the Dharma Yatra may not have been ordained for long, they are dedicated to their monastic duties wholeheartedly. The opportunity for monks to undertake such a Dharma Yatra occurs only once a year. Therefore, everyone involved is truly fortunate to contribute to the establishment of this significant path.

At this moment, there is only one place like this in the world, amidst over 7 billion people. This is no ordinary occurrence. Moreover, the birth of the Conqueror of Mara was not easy, and the path of the Conqueror of Mara is similarly challenging. Throughout his life, he aimed to overcome Mara.

Therefore, reflecting on the difficulties will help us recognize the value of this merit. We should feel honored because of the extraordinary merit it took for Venerable Luang Pu to overcome obstacles and be ordained. This merit is of utmost importance!