Dhammakaya Media Channel

Dhammakaya Media Channel

Type	Satellite network, Cable network
Country	Thailand
Availability	worldwide via internet stream
Slogan	The secrets of life revealed; The only one
Launch date	2003
Official website	http://www.dmc.tv/index.php?lang=en

Dhammakaya Media Channel (DMC) is a Thai cable television channel and satellite channel concerned with Buddhism. Its main taglines are "The secrets of life revealed" and "The only one". "The only one" (Thai: ช่องนี้ช่องเดียว) refers to the particular nature of the content of the channel, e.i. "The only one of its kind". DMC started in 2003.^[1]

The channel is owned by the Dhamma Research for Environment Foundation, part of Wat Phra Dhammakaya.^[2] It uses content from real life, and has programs for people of all ages. It broadcasts talks, preaching, songs, documentaries, live events and cartoons twenty-four hours a day.^[1] The channel can be watched or listened to for free through satellite television, Internet, cable and radio.^[3] In 2005, DMC had a hundred thousand viewers.^[4] As of 2016, the satellite channel could be received in all continents in the world, excepting South-America.^[1][5]

The channel was founded to provide an alternative to the many distractions that surround people in modern life, which lure "people into doing immoral things", as stated by Phra Somsak Piyasilo, one of the monks in the organization. The channel originated from an initiative in 2001, when people living in the far provinces of Thailand wanted to listen in to the teachings of the temple. The temple therefore provided live teaching through a thousand public telephone lines, through which people could follow the activities. The telephone lines had many restrictions in use, and the temple started to broadcast through a television channel instead. Later, in 2005, the temple developed an online counterpart to the channel.^[6]

Wat Phra Dhammakaya has promoted the channel widely in Thailand. Many people watch the channel at home, and the channel is broadcast in public places like other temples, hotels and prisons.^[4][7] The channel has sought cooperation with other Buddhist countries other countries as well: the temple assisted in establishing a television channel with Buddhist content in Sri Lanka,^[8] and discussion have taken place considering teaching Abhidhamma teachings from Burmese teachers through the channel.^[9]

As of 2016, the channel was managed by Phra Maha Nopphaphon Puññajayo, who supervises a team of thirty volunteers. The team works closely with other departments of the temple.^[1]

Recognition

In July 2007 DMC was awarded twelve Telly Awards for the following programs:^[10]

1. 

   Program about the life of the Buddha
   Dasa Jata Jataka (in the categories "TV Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces – Religious/Spiritual" and "Miscellaneous");
2. No Tobacco, No Alcohol (in the categories "Non-Broadcast Productions – Health and Wellness", "Motivational", "Social Issues" and "Religion/Spirituality");
3. The Fifth Major Hell (in the categories "Non-Broadcast Productions – Religion/Spirituality" and "Use of Animation");
4. The Lord Buddha (in the category "TV Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces – Religious/Spiritual");
5. Inner Dream Kindergarten (in the categories "TV Programs, Segments, or Promotional Pieces – Children" and "Use of Music");
6. Case Study: The Law of Kamma (in the category "Non-Broadcast Productions – Religion/Spirituality").

References