Dhutanga Chedi The Dhutanga Chedi was constructed exactly according to the design prescribed by Than Por Lee. It consists of a group of thirteen chedis, symbolizing the Thirteen Dhutanga Practices (Dhutanga-vatta). The chedis are arranged on a square base, with a large principal chedi standing at the center. Each chedi enshrines relics of the Buddha contained within gold, silver, and bronze reliquaries. The principal chedi is surrounded by three concentric levels of subsidiary chedis, with four chedis on each level. This arrangement carries profound symbolic meaning. The square foundation represents the Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna). The base measures three wa in width, symbolizing the Threefold Training (Sikkhā)—morality, concentration, and wisdom. The height of thirteen wa represents the Thirteen Dhutanga Practices. Viewed directly from the front, the chedis appear in paired formations, symbolizing the Dhamma and Vinaya, the twin foundations of Buddhism. Viewed diagonally, seven chedis become prominent, representing the Seven Factors of Enlightenment (Bojjhaṅga). The Dhutanga Chedi is unique in Thailand as the only thirteen-chedi complex specifically designed to symbolize the Thirteen Dhutanga Practices of the Buddhist forest meditation tradition. These ascetic practices were prescribed by the Buddha to help practitioners relinquish attachment to worldly pleasures and possessions, including family ties, wealth, status, fame, and other forms of attachment that can obstruct spiritual development. The practice of Dhutanga requires courage, determination, and non-attachment to life itself. Practitioners are not required to undertake all thirteen practices; rather, they may choose those most appropriate to their circumstances, location, and spiritual needs. These disciplines are especially effective in overcoming laziness, cutting attachment to comfort, sleep, and physical ease. By reducing dependency on such comforts, practitioners are better able to devote themselves to meditation and spiritual cultivation. The Thirteen Dhutanga Practices 1. Wearing only discarded or rag robes (Paṃsukūlikaṅga) 2. Using only three robes (Tecīvarikaṅga) 3. Living on alms food (Piṇḍapātikaṅga) 4. Collecting alms sequentially from house to house (Sapadānacārikaṅga) 5. Eating only one meal per day (Ekāsanikaṅga) 6. Eating only from the alms bowl (Pattapiṇḍikaṅga) 7. Refusing additional food after the meal has begun (Khalupacchābhattikaṅga) 8. Dwelling in the forest (Āraññikaṅga) 9. Living at the foot of a tree (Rukkhamūlikaṅga) 10. Living in the open air (Abbhokāsikaṅga) 11. Dwelling in a charnel ground (Sosānikaṅga) 12. Being content with whatever lodging is provided (Yathāsanthatikaṅga) 13. Remaining in the sitting posture without lying down (Nesajjikaṅga) ⸻ The Dhutanga Chedi Today The principal chedi at the center houses sacred relics of the Buddha. These relics were ceremonially enshrined by His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Majesty Queen Sirikit during a royal ceremony held on June 4, 1966. A major restoration project began in 2003 and was completed under the patronage of Phra Dhammavisuddhimongkol (Luangta Maha Bua Ñāṇasampanno). During the restoration, relics of twenty-six arahants were also enshrined within the complex. The rededication ceremony included Dhamma teachings by Luangta Maha Bua and a charitable robe-offering event. The ceremony was presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, who graciously presided over the enshrinement of additional Buddha relics on April 27, 2008. ⸻ History of the Dhutanga Chedi Driven by unwavering faith in Buddhism and inspired by spiritual insights connected with past lives, Than Por Lee Dhammadharo developed the vision for the Dhutanga Chedi. In 1939, he undertook a pilgrimage to India through Burma. While visiting the sacred Buddhist sites, he was deeply saddened by the decline of Buddhism in its birthplace. Many of the great monuments had fallen into ruin, and much of the former glory of the Buddhist civilization remained only in the inscriptions left behind by Emperor Ashoka the Great. In 1950, Than Por Lee made a second pilgrimage to India and spent the rains retreat at Isipatana Migadāya (Sarnath) near Varanasi. One day, while practicing meditation and contemplating the summit of a stupa, he reflected deeply on the immense contribution of Emperor Ashoka, who had dedicated his life to supporting and preserving Buddhism. As he concentrated, a brilliant light appeared, illuminating the entire area. In his meditative vision, he saw magnificent stupas and monuments built by Emperor Ashoka. Moments later, these structures deteriorated, crumbled, and disappeared. Then he witnessed the Buddha’s relics radiating extraordinary colors and brilliance. Following this experience, Than Por Lee resolved: “I shall establish Wat Asokaram and build a great chedi in Thailand to enshrine the relics of the Buddha and to serve as a memorial to Emperor Ashoka the Great, whose contribution to Buddhism is beyond measure.”