March 4, 2016

Since I didn't know how to get to Wat Phra Dhammakaya Temple, I decided to carpool with my sisters and their friend.  As soon as we arrived at the entrance, I felt transported.  It was as though I was entering a magical land.  It had to be the panoramic view of the entrance and the imposing structure which I later learnt that it was called "the Phramonkolthepmuni Memorial Hall".  It meant nothing to me at the time, for I knew practically nothing about the Buddhist monks in Thailand.  The grounds were extensive, neat and clean.  When we arrived at the refectory where we would make a food-offering to the resident monks, I saw many cars and many people.  Here again, the grounds and the refectory were so neat and clean.  I could not help but felt very impressed.  We got out of the car and went to make donation at the Donation Room.  For the amount of money donated, each of us was given the opportunity to go up to the second floor to participate in the turning on of the waterfall which worked to cool the roof of the refectory.  One could either walk up a flight of a grand staircase or take an elevator.  I chose to walk up.  As I did so, I felt a very funny feeling in the pit of my stomach.  When I arrived at the open-air hall where the ceremony would take place, I experienced a supernormal phenomenon (without knowing that it was one because I had the same experience the second time I went to the temple with my sisters and their friend but not the third time).  Tears streamed down my face as I gazed at what appeared in front of me and it occurred to me that heaven had to be this beautiful. The supernormal phenomenon lasted throughout the entire ceremony.  All the while, I thought that everyone saw what I saw.  I was overjoyed and I knew immediately that I have finally found what I had been searching for since I was young.