Vipassana Meditation Master
Founder of the School of Life Thailand Foundation and the Knowing Buddha Organization (KBO), dedicated to protecting Buddhism. Under her leadership, the School of Life has achieved significant success and has been recognized as one of the top 5 leading Dharma schools by Amarin Magazine.
Master Acharavadee Wongsakon has devoted over 20,000 hours to practicing meditation, cultivating a profound understanding of Dharma rooted in the Bodhicitta (Awakened Mind). She is also the founder of the Bodhidhammayan Meditation Center in Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi Province, where she has dedicated herself to promoting Buddhism and raising awareness among Buddhists about their duties to protect and uphold the honor of the Buddha and the Dharma.
In her role as a teacher, Master Acharavadee Wongsakon frequently conducts Dharma teachings at the Bodhidhammayan Meditation Center and other meditation centers. She also serves as the president of both the School of Life Foundation and the Knowing Buddha Organization. Her mission is to protect the dignity of the Buddha and promote the true teachings of Buddhism by helping people access and understand the genuine Dharma.
Life Before the Path of Dharma: A Layperson’s Journey
Master Acharavadee Wongsakon was born on September 28, 1965 (B.E. 2508) in Bangkok Noi District, Bangkok. She is currently 59 years old and is the second daughter of Mr. Chaiyong Wongsakon and Mrs. Somjit Wongsakon, with an older brother, Worawit Wongsakon.
In terms of education, she completed her secondary education at Suwanaram Wittayakom School. She then earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Sripatum University.
Before embarking on her spiritual path, she lived a life in the secular world, with a strong foundation in academics and business. Her journey eventually led her to pursue the teachings of Buddhism, marking a significant turning point in her life.
Work
Master Acharavadee Wongsakon has extensive experience in the media and business sectors. She has worked with several companies, including:
- CBS Records in the promotions department, where she was a columnist writing music reviews and featuring new international artists in the magazine I.S. Song Hit.
- The advertising department of Investor Magazine.
- She was also the owner of a production company that specialized in creating advertisements and print media.
- She founded Andaman Film production company, which produced films.
In 2000, Master Acharavadee opened ST.Tropez Diamond, a jewelry company known for designing exceptional pieces and hosting exclusive fashion shows. As a successful jewelry entrepreneur, she earned a prominent reputation in the industry.
In 2005, she was awarded Boss of the Year for excellence in the jewelry business and received the Positive Thinking Woman Award. She was also honored as one of the Top 500 Leading People by Thailand Tatler for five consecutive years.
Her success in business and her accomplishments in the jewelry and media industries paved the way for her later spiritual journey. Would you like to explore more about her business achievements or how this led to her focus on spiritual work?
Turning Her Life Toward the Dharma
2006 – Establishment of the School of Life Foundation:
Master Acharavadee founded the School of Life Foundation, where she became the president. She invested tens of millions of baht from her personal funds to build the School of Life, with a focus on teaching Dharma to children and youth. The school emphasizes moral living through life lessons rather than rote memorization. This approach has garnered great attention and success, widely praised in society.2011 – Establishment of Bodhidhammayan Lineage:
After intensive Vipassana meditation practice following the teachings of Ajarn Goenka, Master Acharavadee experienced a spiritual breakthrough. The teachings of Somdej Phutthajahn (Toh Phromrangsi), who communicated directly to her through spiritual transmission, introduced her to a unique method of practice. Master Acharavadee began practicing Vipassana with the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, focusing on the body, feelings, mind, and phenomena. This rapid breakthrough in meditation led her to attain deep insights into Dharma. Motivated by this, she decided to share these advanced meditation teachings with the public.2014 – Founding of the 5000s Magazine:
In 2014, Master Acharavadee established the 5000s Magazine (Crossing the Great Ocean) to show the world that the realm of Dharma is not separate from real life. She emphasized that the more one practices Dharma, the clearer and more defined their lifestyle becomes. The magazine provides knowledge and understanding of both worldly and spiritual matters, helping readers achieve a balanced life, and inspiring them to live harmoniously both externally and internally.2017 – Establishment of the “Saengdhambodhiyan Meditation Center”:
In 2017, Master Acharavadee founded the Saengdhambodhiyan Meditation Center in Hat Yai, Songkhla Province, Thailand. The land and wooden buildings for the center were donated by Dr. Phai Patthano, the mayor of Hat Yai Municipality and a disciple of Bodhidhammayan. The center offers Anapanasati and Vipassana meditation courses for practitioners in southern Thailand and neighboring regions. It serves as a hub to spread the strength of Dharma teachings to the southern part of Thailand. The center held its first meditation course in October 2018.
2024 – Establishment of the “Bodhidhammayan Retreat Phuket”
In 2024, Master Acharavadee founded the Bodhidhammayan Retreat Phuket, nestled in the serene landscapes of Thalang, Phuket. The center officially opened on November 2, 2024, designed for international visitors. This sanctuary offers a tranquil space for those who seek inner peace and wish to learn proper meditation practices. The retreat offers Anapanasati Meditation available in One-Day sessions and 3 Days 2 Nights retreat. Conducted in both Thai and English. All sessions are free of charge. The center held its first meditation course on January 2025.
Master Acharavadee Wongsakon’s Works in Writing
Since 2005, Master Acharavadee Wongsakon has authored several best-selling books, many of which focus on spiritual teachings, meditation, and personal transformation. Her books have been instrumental in guiding readers on the path to enlightenment, both in Thai and English. Here is a list of her notable works:
Books in Thai:
ล้า…แต่ไม่ล้ม (Tired but Not Fallen)
Published: May 2005
Pages: 224
ISBN: 974-93531-7-X (Paperback)เรือธรรม..ลำสุดท้าย (The Last Boat of Dharma)
Published: May 2005
Pages: 144
ISBN: 974-93531-7-X (Paperback)มีศีล..ก่อนจะสาย (Have Morality…Before It’s Too Late)
Published: March 2008
Pages: 185
ISBN: 9789749898864 (Paperback)เตโชวิปัสสนา เปิดประตูนิพพาน (Techo Vipassana: Opening the Door to Nirvana)
Published: 2010
Pages: 228
ISBN: 9786169110187 (Paperback)วิปัสสนา…ฆ่ากิเลส (Vipassana…Killing the Defilements)
Published: March 2011
Pages: 104
ISBN: 9789744968760 (Paperback)รู้..แล้วลุย (Know…Then Go)
Published: May 2012
Pages: 216
ISBN: 9786169110101 (Paperback)สิ้นชาติ…ขาดภพ (Know…Then Go 2)
Published: January 2012
Pages: 263
ISBN: 9786169110125 (Paperback)ฆราวาสบรรลุธรรม (Laity Enlightenment)
Published: March 2016
Pages: 340
ISBN: 9786169110170 (Paperback)ฆราวาสบรรลุธรรม II (Laity Enlightenment II)
Published: July 2017
Pages: 426
ISBN: 9786168125007 (Paperback)มหันตภัยโลกร้อน กับความจริงที่ไม่มีใครพูดถึง (The Great Danger of Global Warming and the Truth No One Talks About)
Published: March 2019
Pages: 296
ISBN: 9786168125076 (Paperback)- ตื่นจากมายา ณ 2024 (The 2024 Awakening from Maya)
Published: Oct 2024
Page: 198 หน้า
ISBN 978-616-8125-13-7 (paperback)
Books in English:
Top Ideas in Buddhism and Famous Stories in Buddha’s Time
Published: September 2018
Pages: 208
ISBN: 9786168125069 (Paperback)Awaken from the Madness
Published: December 2018
Pages: 360
ISBN: 974-93531-7-X (Paperback)
Other Contributions and Activities
In addition to her work in writing and teaching Dharma, Master Acharavadee Wongsakon also founded the Knowing Buddha Organization in 2012, with the purpose of protecting the Buddha’s teachings and preventing any disrespectful or harmful actions towards the Buddha and its symbols. The organization aims to provide education on the correct practice toward the Buddha and to safeguard and prevent any desecration or misuse of Buddhist symbols.
Objectives and Mission of the Organization:
- Educating about the Buddha’s teachings: The organization aims to provide accurate knowledge about the proper reverence toward the Buddha and the Buddha’s symbols so people can understand and respect Buddhism correctly.
- Protecting the Buddha’s teachings: The organization works to protect and prevent actions that disrespect or desecrate Buddha statues and symbols, emphasizing the importance of raising awareness of their value in Buddhism.
- Collaboration with relevant organizations: The organization signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Office of Buddhism to work together to protect Buddhism, both within Thailand and internationally.
- Creating societal awareness: The organization focuses on campaigns and providing education on the proper use of Buddha statues and symbols, stressing that they should not be used merely as “artwork” or decorative items without acknowledging their true sacredness.
Signing the Memorandum of Agreement:
In 2012, the organization signed an agreement with the National Office of Buddhism to collaborate on campaigns to prevent desecration of Buddha statues and symbols. They also aimed to raise awareness and promote education on the significance of Buddhism in society.
Impact and Expansion:
The Knowing Buddha Organization has gained support from many groups in its efforts to protect the Buddha’s teachings and ensure that Buddhism is respected and upheld in the right way. The work of the organization is essential in an era where the interpretation and use of Buddhism might be overlooked or misused.
This organization is dedicated to maintaining the respect for what is sacred and valuable in Buddhism, and Master Acharavadee Wongsakon has committed both her time and effort to ensure that the Buddha’s teachings remain pure and that they are practiced according to their true meaning.
