Luang Por
In 1982, Wat Paknam-ordained Luang Por Sermchai Jayamangalo and Phra Khru Bart Yanathiro established the Buddhabhavana Vijja Dhammakaya Institute, distancing itself from Wat Phra Dhammakaya. In 1991, the institute was changed into a temple. It is located in Ratchaburi Province, west of Bangkok, and was led by Luang Por Sermchai until 2018. He was formerly a lay meditation teacher at Wat Paknam, and a researcher and employee of the US embassy. Many of the temple's activities are done in cooperation with Wat Saket. Luang Por Sermchai taught regularly to government departments, companies, and other temples. In 2004, Luang Por Sermchai made headlines when he criticized the government's policy on legalizing gambling during a preaching on a radio program. After some members of the government responded with displeasure, a screening process for preaching on the radio was established. Luang Por Sermchai defended the radio broadcast, stating that his criticism referred to society in general, not just the government.