The way of Dhamma Practice of Phrasuddhidhammarangsigambhira medhacaraya (Lee Dhammadharo) Affecting to Buddhist Propagation

Abstract

The objectives of this thesis were; 1. to study life and work of Phrasuddhidhammarangsi- gambhiramaedhacaraya (Lee Dhammadharo) 2. to study, and 3. to propose a value of the way of Dhamma practice of Phrasuddhidhammarangsigambhiramaedhacaraya (Lee Dhammadharo) affecting to Buddhist propagation. The study was a documentary qualitative research by which data were collected from the Tipitaka and his life and work documents and also the 7 key informants. All data were analyzed and narratively presented. 

The results of the study found that: The former name of Phrasuddhidhammarangsigambhiramaedhacaraya (Lee Dhammadharo), is “Chali”. His home town is Ubon Ratchathani Province. He was born on January 31, 1906 and ordained in the Dhammayuttika tradition on May 27, 1927.  Phra Panya Phisara Thera (Nu Thitapanno) who lived at Wat Pathumwanaram Rachaworawihara was his preceptor and Venerable Phra Ajarn Mun Phurithatto was his teacher. Buddhists usually called him “Thanpor Lee” or Venerable Lee as a father.  He is a forest monk who practices Vipassana meditation seriously. He usually wandered as a pilgrimage for self-training and taught people according to Buddhist principles. He established temple for the social public benefits.

Thanpor Lee’s Dharma practice is divided into 4 aspects: 1. Meditation technique is used “Buddho” as a mean of recitation by keeping one's concentration at all times based on Anapanasati. 2. Dhamma practice is taught by following Dutanga principles, seclusion, and living with heedfulness. 3. Dhamma Propagation is aimed at happiness of people and social helping. 4. Administration is pursued monks, novices and laities to follow Dhamma and Vinaya and Thai Sangha’s rules. 

The value of Thanpor Lee’s Dharma practice in terms of meditation inevitably arises as a guideline for training the mind according to the four foundations of mindfulness by using pilgrimage as a tool for self-training until the mind can be strengthened and purified. In terms of propagation, knowledge and understanding of Buddhism will be gained through serious practice. In term of administration, there would be a line of Dhamma that was inherited from the lineage of forest monks. In term of public facilities, it inevitably becomes a temple and a meditation center that is conducive to practice and beneficial to everyone.