Background of Dhammaduta College

The Dhammaduta College is one of many MCU sectors. Its purposes are to meet the requirement of the Supreme Sangha Council to dispatch Dhammaduta Bhikkhus to foreign countries. Between 1966 and 1967 (B.E. 2509-2510), the Dhammaduta trainings were jointly conducted by Mahānikāya and Dhammayuttika Sects. Unfortunately, due to some obligations, the joint training was ceased. However, the need for Dhammaduta Bhikkhus dramatically increased, particularly in the United States, where the propagation of Buddhism from Thailand officially began in 1970 (B.E. 2513). That is, there,the first temple was established on 6^th July 1971 (B.E. 2514) and after that the number of Thai Monasteries in the USA increased, especially in New York, Washington DC, Chicago and Los Angeles.This was because of the missionary work of Thai monks or Dhammaduta. However, while the need of the propagator monks greatly increased in such regions, the preparatory training of the monks before going overseas was ceased. The Supreme Sangha Council, therefore, with a support from the Department of Religions, revived the training project. Mahānikāya monks regained the trainings under the direction of His Holiness Somdet Phra Phutthachan (Kiao Upasena Mahathera), the Committee of Supreme Sangha Council, whilst the Dhammayuttika monks regained their trainings under the direction of His Holiness Somdet Phra Buddhachinnawong (Prajuab Kantacaro). Both then assigned all the training activities to Sangha universities (Mahachulalongkornrajavidaya University and Mahamakut Buddhist University) to carry out the tasks. Since 1995 (B.E. 2538), the Dhammaduta training course has been organized once in each year with three-month training duration: academic training (one month), meditation practice (one month) and construction and renovation work (one month).

Objectives

1) To train the Dhammaduta monks to have the knowledge, capability, proper etiquette, and confidence in performing religious practices abroad

2) To prepare Dhammaduta monks with proper qualifications to send abroad

3) To respond to the disseminate work of Buddhism abroad

Enter website