Phra Khru Baitika, Ph.D.

Phra Bart or Khru Baitika Dr. Barton Yanathiro, an American monk, heads the BMI management team and teaches introductory and intermediate meditation with notable success. He is a former professor and international development specialist, with a Ph.D. in Sociology & Social Psychology from Cornell University, who has been a monk since March 6th 2002. Phra Bart was a professor of research methodology and was impressed by the depths of what Lord Buddha learned just sitting under a tree. He has concluded that meditation is the best methodology for understanding reality and how to live profitably, and is eager to teach it to all who are interested, worldwide.

Progress report

Phra Khru Baitika has provided this progress report from the monastery where he lives and teaches:

I’m Phra Bart, a Buddhist monk at Wat Luang Phor Sodh Dhammakayaram in Damnoen Saduak, Rajburi Province, Thailand. I’m originally from the United States, but have lived in 24 countries as a professor of social psychology and international development specialist. During my first stay in Thailand 1961-63, I worked as a researcher with the man who is now Dr. Phra Rajyanvisith, one of Thailand’s most eminent Meditation Masters, Buddhist Scholars, and Educators. He is the National Coordinator of the Provincial Meditation Institutes of Thailand, Director of the Center for Development of Virtues and Ethics for the Security of the Nation, Religion and Monarchy, and Abbot of Wat Luang Phor Sodh. After retirement, I followed him to become a bhikkhu here. I have been here 7 years and will stay indefinitely. I manage the Buddhist Meditation Institute (BMI), teaching meditation in English to international visitors. BMI is An Associated Institution of the World Buddhist University (since 2006) and has taught 320 meditators from over 30 countries with very good results.

Essentially all have found inner peace. Overall, ½ meditated to absorption, Jhana; 2/5 transcended to Dhammakaya; and 1/4 meditated to experiencing Nirvana temporarily. Our teaching has improved. This year 2/3 meditated to Jhana; 1/2 transcended to Dhammakaya; and 2/5 visited Nirvana. Also, starting this year, some participants are being taught directly by their inner Noble Disciple Dhammakayas. They can carry their teacher with them for the rest of their lives. Most participants rate the experience very or extremely valuable. For many, it opened new worlds. Here are some quotes.

“Showed me a new world and that I was capable to get there.” “Put life in a much bigger perspective ... showed me what’s really important ... encouraged me to live in a more altruistic way. (He based his college major on it. His mother and her friend came and also meditated to experiencing Nirvana.) “In Nirvana I was overwhelmed; I knew I don’t have to doubt any more.” (She declared herself a Buddhist.) “You can experience things you cannot see with the eye. It is very peaceful in Nirvana.” “In Heaven I saw celestials living on clouds ... and felt peace and lightness ... I know I’m on the right way ... I did not expect to be so calm, peaceful and happy while meditating and afterwards.” “In Nirvana I felt completely weightless, at peace and stillness ... it was the most beautiful experience of my life.”

Please see our two photo albums uploaded here: (1) Wat Luang Phor Sodh Buddhist Meditation Institute shows that our institute and temple are a beautiful, peaceful meditation park; and (2) Angels shows angels surrounding the Meditation Vihara and elsewhere in the wat. (Angels are not visible to the human eye, but the camera picks up those frequencies. These photos were taken by various meditators.) Please also see our website at www.dhammacenter.org. And, please come see for yourself.

Mega Metta, Phra Bart Phra Khru Baitika Dr. Barton Yanathiro [email protected]

External links

• http://www.dhammacenter.org/ The monastery in Thailand where he lives and teaches.