Dhammakaya Temple and Khlong Luang people protected the flood together

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The Flood Situation at Rapeepat Canal
Dhammakaya Temple and Khlong Luang people protected the flood together
Edited from the Inner Dreams Kindergarten Program broadcasted on DMC

This flood is the worst event in the 50-year period in Thailand. The enormous amount of water has attacked dams, dykes and weirs, so many well-protected industrial estates have been hit until their barriers have been destroyed, so the mass water from the North is flowing to Bangkok. However, there was an impressive event happening in this crisis which was the flood protection at Rapeepat Canal. We, Dhammakaya Temple’s monks, novices, laypeople, staffs, disciples, and the residents from Khlong Nueng, Khlong Song, Khlong Sam, the officials and officers participated to protect this flood together at this canal. The protected area was from Khlong Nueng (the No. 1 Cannel) to Khlong Sam (the No. 3 Cannel) sub-districts, 8 km long.

The protected area is very important because it will be able to protect the mass water, about 1 billion cubic meters, if its barrier is not destroyed. If the dyke at Rapeepat Canal, Khlong Nueng to Khlong Sam sub-districts, is destroyed, the water will flow past Khlong Luang district to flood Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok Street, will block the main route from Bangkok to the Northeastern Region and will also flow through Lamlookka, Saimai, Don Muang, Bangkaen districts and will go to the central area of Bangkok. The most water from Rapeepat Canal, Khlong Ha to Khlong Sib sub-districts, flows to Ongkarak district in Nakhon Nayok province and flows along the Bang Pakong River and is released to Thai Gulf.

The map shows the simulated flood situation if the dyke at Rapeepat Canal, the red thick line, is destroyed

Now the government and the residents in Bangkok are relaxed because they can block the water from Chao Phraya River to flow past Bangkok and is released to Thai Gulf without overflowing their dams and dykes. But the mass water from Pasak River and Flood in Ayutthaya and Saraburi is turning back to the center of Bangkok. If this water breaks the dams and dykes successfully, there will not be any barriers which are strong enough to protect Bangkok. In the crisis like this, there was an amazing event that we, Dhammakaya Temple’s monks, novices, laypeople, staffs and disciples, had led the residents in Khlong Luang district as well as cooperated with many government offices to work 24 hours a day to protect the dyke at Rapeepat Canal, Khlong Nueng to Khlong Sam districts, successfully for 4 days.

The soil dyke at Rapeepat Canal is supported with the sand bags throughout the dyke

At the same time, there was the news intermittently that the nearby industrial estates valued at over billions Baht have been damaged by the flood although they had the strong permanent barriers where the dyke at Rapeepat Canal is made of soil and has been built on the road for a few weeks. Everyone who protected the dyke at Rapeepat Canal was like Bang Rachan people and did the duty like the fortress to protect the mass water not to flood in Bangkok.

Dhammakaya Temple and the residents carried the sand bags to make the dyke strong together

Dhammakaya Temple and the residents filled the sand into the bags all days and nights

The situation was so exciting. They protected the mass water almost not in time. While the water level was increasing continuously, we had to build the dyke higher and make its supporters strong and firm as well. This was because the dyke was a few centimeters higher than the water level all the time. When we had finished making the supporters strong, then we had to return to build the dyke higher and repeated this cycle all the time. We sacrificed our lives to protect the flood 24 hours a day. On October 18th, 2011 at 3:00 a.m., our monks who monitored the flood situation at the dyke informed the co-operation center of Dhammakaya Temple that “The soil dyke at Khlong Nueng has been eroding by water. If we don’t do anything, it will be destroyed within one or two hours. What will we do?” The co-operation center replied that “Fight!” But it was at night, so the most people were sleeping. The temple decided to wake the monks, novices and laypeople who were staying in the temple, including the senior monks and the assistant abbots, to carry the sand bags to protect the dyke in time. We finished it at about 8 o’clock in the morning. Many monks and novices did it without having breakfast. In fact, when the sand trunks arrived some places, the water was eroding and flowing through the holes. If it was late for a few minutes, the dyke would be destroyed.

Our monks, novices and laypeople protected the dyke all the night

On October 19th, 2011 at 2:00 a.m., the dyke at some places was eroding and would be destroyed. Dhammakaya Temple had to wake hundreds of staffs at the Laywoman Residence to protect the dyke. Even though we were ladies, we were not unwilling to do. We helped one another with smiles and our minds were concentrated at the center of the bodies because all of us realized that we were doing the important work which could protect our temple, Khlong Lung and Bangkok people all. A lot of Khlong Luang people participated to protect the community as well. Some people unveiled that they joined it everyday and slept only 4-5 hours a day. Some people had never known each other before, but we became friends and joined to protect the flood together like brothers and sisters because we had the heart of a giver and the same goal.

Khlong Luang people joined to protect the dyke together

Dr. Weerasak Hadda, Head of Khlong Sam Subdistrict Administration Organization, came with his staffs to protect the flood industriously. He also co-operated with Dhammakaya Temple, people, Khlong Luang District Offices, Pathum Thani Provincial Offices and the concerns to work effectively. Moreover, he announced that he was willing to receive the call all the time for this work. About Luang Phaw’s disciples, when they knew this news, they have gone from around the country, both children and adults, to make the sand bags or carry the sand bags to protect Dhammakaya Temple. Some drove their cars which carried food to feed the participants. Some went from the country to help and still stay in the temple to help until the crisis will pass by. When the Most Ven. Phrarajbhavanavisudh (Luang Phaw Dhammajayo) kindly visited to encourage us, we were very happy and did it with smiles. The atmosphere was so happy and warm.

This flood disaster became the opportunity to show the heart of a fighter and giver of Dhammakaya Temple’s monks, novices, laypeople, staffs and disciples, Khlong Luang residents, officials and officers. The harmony and sacrifice in this time would help everyone pass this crisis at last and will be an important power to drive Thai society forward and grow, drive the Buddhism and Dhammakaya Vijja to spread all over the world. We would like to say rejoice in this merit, the brave who protected the temple, people and country and share this merit to you too.

Translated by Chadawee Chaipooripat