Art, Faith

and the Path of Dhamma

Master Amnart Opaso (birth name, Amnart Klanpracha) is the current President of Paticca-samuppada Foundation and President of Nirvana Temple, Schloss Dillich, Germany. He was once a renowned Thai artist who made his name in Thai and international art scene with his brilliant works of Spiritual art, many of which had won numerous prestigious awards. While his works are profound and powerful depictions of the Buddhist philosophy, Master Amnart’s artistic gift is a result of life-long self-training. Since he wasa child, the young Amnart would intuitively draw and paint using his owngradually evolving techniques to create incredible pieces of Spiritual Art.

Art, Faith

and the Path of Dhamma

1954

Amnart Klanpracha (birth name)

was born on 13th August 1954 in Bangkok, Thailand.

7 years old

Started practicing meditation where he would observe and control his own breathing without anyone’s guidance. The practice later became his personal habit.

20 years old

“Even if this life came to an end without me reaching any goal, I would let it, without thinking of it as a failure. My journey has begun.”

With such realization and determination, Amnart embarked up on his search for the true Dhamma enlightenment. He took teachings with several revered Thai Buddhist masters known for their dedicated meditation practices such as Buddhadasa Bhikkhu of Suan Mokkh Forest Monastery, Master Sangwan Khemgo in Chainart province, Master Bhuddha Tawaro in Suphanburi province and Master Tes Taerangsri of Hin Mak Peng Temple in Nongkhai province, Thailand.

Art and Dhamma have been interwoven as a part of Master Amnart’s spirit ever since he was young. During his teenage years, the young Amnart’s journey to enlightenment led him to meet with Master Tes Tesrangsri of Wat Hin Mak Peng Temple inNongkhai province, Thailand, where he was introduced to the Four Principles : “Practice only one precept, maintain a normal state of mind and do not let it wander. Stay mindful, discover the mind.” The teachingshave become the guiding light of Master Amnart’s practice of Dhamma.

29 years old

Amnart became interested in astrology, biology, and physics. The knowledge has been incorporated to his work of arts to profoundly convey and effectively communicate the Buddha’s teachings.

Since he was a young artist, Master Amnart has always worked to serve, not his own life or needs, but Buddhism. His artistic talent and dream is combined with the aim to propagate the ultimate truth of the Buddhist doctrine for people of all races and languages to have a better understanding in the Buddha’s teachings. He has dedicated his knowledge on art and Dhamma to teaching those who are interested, as well as contributing to the society with what his ability can offer.

1986

It took him an entire year to create Buddhism-inspired 11 x 7-meter high relief sculptural piece on the gable of the meditation pavilion of Klai Kang WonTemple(Khao Sapapatdee Sri Charoentham) in Chainart province, Thailand. Refusing to receive any payment, Amnart worked with the intention for the artistic creation to be his contribution to the temple and Buddhism.

1991

Invited as an artist to join the International Porcelain Artists event
in Australia.

1994

Chairman of the organizing committee of the second ‘Dhamma, Dhammachart’ art exhibition.

1996

Organized a painting exhibition as a part of the celebration of The Royal Ceremonial Emblem on the 50th Anniversary of His Majesty the King’s Accession to the Throne at Los Angeles, California and Denver, Colorado, the United States.

2001-2002

Part-time lecturer at Ratchasuda College, Mahidol University, a college of higher education for disabled adults in Thailand.

2002

Created ‘Peace’, a series of works of Spiritual art, to participate in the exhibition held as a part of the “Spirituality for World Peace” summit at the United Nations, Geneva, Switzerland. The series received overwhelming recognition from the participants at the summit. The works’ profound meanings convey answers to life’s ultimate truths, while being relatable and applicable to everyday life.

2004

While his life as a civilian was filled with accolades, money, fame, security and opportunities for what would have been an even more successful artistic career, Master Amnart still felt that the worldly life would never allow him to continue his practice and develop his mindfulness and progress his path to the true inner peace. In 2004, Master Amnart made the decision to dedicate the remaining time of his life to Buddhism and carry on with his path in the world of Dhamma. He notified his resignation from the part-time lecturer position. He then met with Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at Chaiphattana Building of Dusit Palace to inform about his ordination. He was ordained at Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhlaram Temple.

2004

Established Pha Son Kaew Temple in Phetchaboon province to be a place that offers peace and solitude for dedicated practitioners of Dhamma. Later in 2006, he began working on the design and construction of Phra Tat Pha Son Kaew Siriratchathamnarumitr Chedi to be the sacred place that keeps the Buddha’s relics granted to him by the then Supreme Patriarch, Somdet Phra Sangharaja Chao Krommaluang Vajirananasamvara.

“It has to be this way, there is no other way.”

Master Amnart later told his disciples about why he chose to shy away from the limelight of his successful career as an artist, and continue a peaceful path towards nirvana, living his life under monkhood.

2009

Received the Ecclesiastical peerages, Pra Kru Baidika Amnart Opaso, and given the badge and the fan of rank by Pra Thep Rattanakawee, the Provincial patriarch of Phetchaboon province.

2013

Working under “EURASIA WORLD PEACE” association, Master Amnart pioneered and established Wat Nyanasamvara Verona Temple in Italy.

2011-2014

Master Amnart was the designer and a pivotal force behind the creation of the Five Buddha Cathedral. The project was carried out as a part of the celebration of King Rama 9’s 85th birthday. The construction was completed in 2014 and the cathedral has since then been known for its distinctively beautiful architecture.

2013-2014

Built the Paticca-samuppada Dhamma Practice Facility on a piece of land by the Yom River in Pichit province, Thailand. Under the operation and management of the Paticca-samuppada Foundation, the facility welcomes interested individuals and long-time practitioners of Dhamma to practice mindfulness, meditation and solitude as they learn and practice the Buddha’s teachings to walk the path to nirvana.

2016

Established Buddha Dhamma Bhom Wimutti in Bad Zwesten, Germany, to offer dedicated practitioners a facility where they can spend an extended period of time studying the Buddha’s teachings and practicing meditation. The practitioners are able to temporarily experience the monastic life as a monk or a nun. Master Amnart believes that these individuals will become a significant force for the future of Buddhism through their practice of Dhamma on the path to inner peace and nirvana.

2017

Established Nirvana Temple at Schloss Dillich, Germany. It is hoped that the temple will become a hub of Buddhist teaching propagation that welcomes people of all races and cultures. Located near a lake in the middle of a forest, the peaceful surroundings make the temple a perfect place where people of all races and genders can learn and practice the Buddhist philosophy as well as meditation on the path towards nirvana.

2018

Undertake the role of the principal construction consultant of Therd Phrakiet Pue Santiphab Temple in Germany, operated by the Association of Buddharama Temple, Berlin.

2019

Master Amnart Opaso began working on the design of Makkayan Chedi, which will be constructed in Putthamonton district and the World Peace Center in Phetchaboon province, Thailand.

2019

Master Amnart Opaso of Nirvana Temple, Schloss Dillich, Germany, who is also construction consultant of Therd Phrakiet Pue Santiphab Temple, Germany, met with His Holiness Somdej Phra Ariyawongsakhatayan (Amporn Ampharo) at his residence in Wat Ratchabophit Sathit Maha Simaram Ratcha Wora Maha Wihan Temple in Bangkok on 27th February 2019.

2021

Lund University in Sweden invited Master Amnart for a knowledge exchange on “The Science of Meditation and Peace” with Etzel Cardena, Professor of Psychology at Lund University. The event further expanded the research on ‘Neuroimaging State of Mind’, followed by creating peace studies as an international curriculum to pass on to the next generation.Lund University in Sweden invited Master Amnart for a knowledge exchange on “The Science of Meditation and Peace” with Etzel Cardena, Professor of Psychology at Lund University. The event further expanded the research on ‘Neuroimaging State of Mind’, followed by creating peace studies as an international curriculum to pass on to the next generation.

2022

On 21st August 2022, Master Amnart received Stockholm World Peace Award 2022. The event was held in Stockholm, Sweden.

“Peace is our innate treasure. It has always been a part of each and every one of us, the human race. It is here, never leaves, never returns; only clouded by inane causes, ignorance, and the mind that is temporarily embellished by lust and desires. If only one can just let the mind be freed from such excessiveness, even momentarily, they will be reconnected to the inner peace. To feel it bloom and illuminate with the most sublime tranquility and beauty.

We share this world with seven billions of other people. If everyone is able to understand that peace is the treasure we were all born with, and we can love, express good will and be respectful for the inner peace of all lives regardless of the race, for without it, we are fundamentally the same. We will see with the eyes of compassion and generosity, like a stream of noble universal truths. We will exist in harmony; just like how every drop of nectar, milk, sweat and sweet fruit juice all originates from the rain, and eventually flows back into the ocean.

The peace in all our hearts is like flowers in a garden, petals of varied colors, blooming, sharing the knowledge, kissing with the eyes of compassion, forever longing for the true peace from and for each other.“