Danish Higher Ordination

Thursday 27 November 2008 was a historic day for Wat Phra Dhammakaya, Denmark with the full ordination of one of its pioneering disciples Henrik Nielsen. With the new monastic name of Phra Henrik Katapuñño (meaning the one with a lot of merit in his past), he has renounced a successful career in an apparel firm to join the ranks of the monastic community in Europe. Phra Henrik was ordained by the Most Venerable Dr. Phrathepkittimoli at Wat Thai Srinakarindravararam in Gretzenbach, Switzerland where the preceptor is abbot. Phra Henrik will start his monastic training at his home temple in Denmark and continue by joining the International Dhammadayada Ordination Scheme in Thailand in July 2009.

Global Peace Festival

For the Universal Peace Foundation's Global Peace Festival held at the Excel Conference Centre, London from 20-23 November 2008, two monks from Dhammakaya centres in Europe, Phra Veera Virandharo and Phra Thammasarn Cittabharano represented Buddhism along with representatives of seven other religions from twenty countries, running to a total of 2,500 participants.