Acharavadee Wongsakon
Thailand·Vipassana Meditation·Female·21st century
Acharavadee Wongsakon is a prominent Thai lay Buddhist teacher and former entrepreneur known for her Techo Vipassana meditation technique. She founded the Knowing Buddha Organization to combat the disrespectful use of Buddha imagery and promote Buddhist morality. Her work has garnered endorsement from the National Office of Buddhism, despite facing some controversy.
Key Facts
- ›Teaches Techo Vipassana meditation, a technique focused on igniting the body's fire element to purify the mind.
- ›Founded the Knowing Buddha Organization (KBO) to campaign against the misuse of Buddha imagery and declining morality.
- ›Authored several books on Buddhism and Buddhist morality, published in both Thai and English.
- ›Previously ran a successful diamond company before dedicating her life to Buddhist teaching.
- ›Established the School of Life Foundation to teach Dhamma to children and teenagers for free.
- ›Her KBO Earth Climate campaign addresses the environmental impact of digital data storage.
Important Relationships
- Knowing Buddha Organization
- School of Life Foundation
- National Office of Buddhism
- Awaken From the Madness
- Top Ideas In Buddhism
- Techo Vipassana Meditation, A Gate Opening To Nirvana
Bangkok, Saraburi Province
Thai, English
About Acharavadee Wongsakon
Acharavadee Wongsakon is a notable Thai lay Buddhist teacher and former entrepreneur, recognized for her significant contributions to Buddhist education and advocacy. She is the founder of the Knowing Buddha Organization (KBO), an entity dedicated to combating the disrespectful use of Buddha imagery and promoting general societal morality. Wongsakon also teaches a specific form of Vipassana meditation known as Techo Vipassana.
Life and Background
Born in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 28, 1965, Acharavadee Wongsakon initially pursued a career in business, establishing the Saint Tropez Diamond Company in 2005. The stresses of her business and celebrity life led her to meditation, which prompted a reevaluation of her priorities. She eventually sold her company, using the proceeds to establish the School of Life Foundation in Bangkok. This foundation provided free Dhamma (Buddhist teachings) to children and teenagers, emphasizing morality and self-reliance.
Teachings and Advocacy
Wongsakon's spiritual path led her to develop and teach the Techo Vipassana meditation technique, which she began sharing in 2011. This practice is described as utilizing the fire element to purify mental impurities. Her advocacy gained significant momentum in 2006 after witnessing disrespectful depictions of Buddha imagery in a Paris nightclub, inspiring the founding of the Knowing Buddha Organization. KBO has since collaborated with major international companies like Louis Vuitton and Disney Pictures to address the misuse of Buddha images.
Beyond the protection of Buddhist iconography, Wongsakon and KBO also champion environmental awareness, particularly concerning the impact of global cloud storage on electrical consumption. Her organization promotes KBO Earth Climate campaigns aimed at reducing unnecessary digital data.
Publications
Acharavadee Wongsakon is a bestselling author in Thailand, with many of her books published in both Thai and English. Her notable works include "Awaken from the Madness" and "Top Ideas in Buddhism." She also contributes to "5000s Magazine," a bilingual publication that seeks to blend modern Thai lifestyle with Buddhist moral values.
Recognition and Controversy
Wongsakon's outspokenness on Buddhist morality and her criticisms of certain monastic practices have made her a controversial figure in Thailand. She has faced media scrutiny and criticism from some segments of the Buddhist establishment, particularly regarding her gender and her teachings. Despite these challenges, the National Office of Buddhism has investigated and subsequently endorsed both Acharavadee Wongsakon and her Knowing Buddha Foundation, validating her work.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Acharavadee Wongsakon?
Acharavadee Wongsakon is a Thai lay Buddhist teacher and former entrepreneur. She is best known for teaching Techo Vipassana meditation and for founding the Knowing Buddha Organization.
What is Techo Vipassana Meditation?
Techo Vipassana is a meditation practice taught by Acharavadee Wongsakon that follows the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. It uses the technique of igniting the fire element in the body to burn down mental impurities, known as Kilesa.
What is the Knowing Buddha Organization?
The Knowing Buddha Organization (KBO) was established by Acharavadee Wongsakon to raise global awareness about the sacredness of Buddha's image and to combat the general decline of morality. It campaigns against the use of Buddha imagery as mere decoration or for commercial purposes.
What are some of Acharavadee Wongsakon's notable works?
Acharavadee Wongsakon is a bestselling author in Thailand. Her notable works include 'Awaken from the Madness' and 'Top Ideas in Buddhism,' published in both Thai and English.
What controversy has Acharavadee Wongsakon faced?
Acharavadee Wongsakon has faced controversy for publicly criticizing some Thai Buddhist clergy and for her Techo Vipassana meditation technique, which some critics claimed was not historically documented. She has also been accused by the media of acting superior towards monks.
Has the National Office of Buddhism endorsed Acharavadee Wongsakon?
Yes, the National Office of Buddhism investigated Acharavadee Wongsakon and her foundation, the Knowing Buddha Organization, and subsequently endorsed her work.
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