Dhammakaya Cetiya
Known as the Pagoda of One Million Buddhas, this vast domed chedi at Wat Phra Dhammakaya carries 300,000 Buddha images outside and 700,000 more within, at the heart of a major meditation centre.
The story
The Dhammakaya Cetiya stands at the centre of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, the temple of the Dhammakaya Foundation, which promotes world peace through inner peace and meditation. Described as the world's largest Buddhist monument, its hemispherical dome and spherical terrace are covered with 300,000 similar Buddha images, with another 700,000 enshrined inside. The grounds are vast, large enough for enormous crowds during major festivals, and from mid-December into January the area around the chedi is decorated with masses of flowers. On the first Sunday of each month, thousands dressed in white gather here to meditate, followed by a shared meal. Lotus flowers are provided for offering prayers, and the foundation also runs temple tours and a temple stay programme teaching basic meditation and Buddhist culture through a simple life at the temple.
Good to know
TAGGG AI- ✦Go around sunset or early in the morning to avoid the heat on the open grounds.
- ✦On the first Sunday of every month, thousands gather in white clothing for meditation, followed by a meal.
- ✦Visit between mid-December and January to see the grounds decorated with countless flowers; lotus flowers are provided for offering prayers.