instead after the junta changed the law to allow the King to appoint the Supreme Patriarch directly, with the Prime Minister countersigning. In December 2021, Somdet Chuang died, aged 96. Wat Phra Dhammakaya Wat Phra Dhammakaya is located in Pathum Thani, north of Bangkok. It was founded by Maechi Chandra Khonnokyoong and Luang Por Dhammajayo. It is the temple that is most well-known in the Dhammakaya tradition because of its huge size and following, its numerous activities and also its controversies. The temple is popular among the Bangkok middle class, and organizes many training programs. The temple emphasizes merit-making through meditation, giving and volunteering. According to theologian Rory Mackenzie, it accepts donations from its adherents in large public meetings, promising "specific results for particular donations". The temple's appearance is orderly, and can be described as "a contemporary aesthetic", states Scott. , the temple's worldwide following was estimated at three million practitioners. The community living at Wat Phra Dhammakaya numbered more than a thousand monks and novices, and hundreds of full-time lay employees. The temple emphasizes the revival of traditional Buddhist values, but does so through modern methods and technology. The temple emphasizes personal transformation, expressed through its slogan "World Peace through Inner Peace". The temple offers English language retreats and ordinations. Initially, the temple was founded as a meditation center, after Maechi Chandra and the just ordained monk Luang Por Dhammajayo could no longer accommodate the rising number of participants in their activities at Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen. The center became an official temple in 1977. The temple grew exponentially during the 1980s, when the temple's training programs became widely known among the urban middle class. Wat Phra Dhammakaya expanded its area and the building of a huge stupa (pagoda) was started. During the period of the Asian economical crisis, however, the temple became subject to criticism as Luang Por Dhammajayo was charged with embezzlement and removed from his office as abbot. In 2006, he was cleared of these charges and he was restored as abbot. The temple grew further and became known for its activities in education, promotion of ethics, and scholarship projects. Under the 2014 military junta, the abbot and the temple were put under scrutiny again and Luang Por Dhammajayo was accused of receiving stolen money through the donations of a supporter. The temple has been referred to as the only influential organization in Thailand that has yet