View source for Global Buddhist Network

{{short description|Thai online television channel}}
{{Infobox broadcasting network
| network_name = Global Buddhist Network
| former_names = Dhammakaya Media Channel
| country      = Thailand
| network_type = Satellite network, Cable network (formerly);<br /> Internet (currently)
| available    = worldwide via website and social media
| owner        = Dhamma Research for Environment Foundation
| launch_date  = 2002 (sources state different days)<ref name="Post 2016" /><ref name=":4" />
| dissolved    = 2016
| website      = http://gbnus.com, <br /> http://www.dmc.tv
| image        = [[File:Global Buddhist Network Logo.jpg|200px]]
}}

The '''Global Buddhist Network''' (GBN), previously known as the '''Dhammakaya Media Channel''' (DMC) is a Thai online television channel concerned with [[Religion:Buddhism|Buddhism]]. The channel's taglines were "The secrets of life revealed" and "The only one", but these were later replaced by "Channel for the path to the cessation of suffering and attainment of Dhamma". The channel features many types of programs with Buddhist content, and has programs in several languages.

The channel started in 2002, as a means to reach remote provinces in Thailand. Controversially, the channel made international headlines in 2012 when it featured a teaching on the afterlife of [[Biography:Steve Jobs|Steve Jobs]]. On 26 December 2016, Thai authorities withdrew the permit for the satellite channel permanently, during the legal investigations into the temple by the Thai junta. In April 2017, it was reported, however, that the channel's programming had continued, but broadcast through the Internet only. In its online format, the channel has been renamed Global Buddhist Network.

== Background ==
DMC started in 2002.<ref name="Post 2016">{{cite news|url=http://www.posttoday.com/social/general/469130|date=7 December 2016|work=Post Today|access-date=10 December 2016|publisher=Post Publishing|language=th|script-title=th:ธรรมกายปฏิเสธนำเงินวัดไปเล่นหุ้น เตรียมยื่นคัดค้านปิดช่อง DMC|trans-title=Dhammakaya denies using money temple to invest in stocks, prepares to appeal to court about closing down DMC}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thairath.co.th/content/804526|title=ธรรมกายร่ายยาว ช่อง DMC ส่งเสริมศาสนา ไม่ได้สร้างความปั่นป่วนให้สังคม|language=th|date=7 December 2016|access-date=16 August 2017|work=Thai Rath|publisher=Wacharapol|trans-title=Dhammakaya explains in detail: "DMC promotes Buddhism, it doesn't cause unrest in society"}}</ref> The channel was owned by the Dhamma Research for Environment Foundation, part of the temple Wat Phra Dhammakaya.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dmc.tv/pages/about/page02.html|date=2 January 2006|website=Dhammakaya Media Channel|publisher=Dhamma Research for Environment Foundation|language=th|script-title=th:แนะนำตัวช่อง DMC|trans-title=Introducing the DMC|access-date=25 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Nirvana for Sale? Buddhism, Wealth, and the Dhammakāya Temple in Contemporary Thailand|year=2009|last1=Scott|first1=Rachelle M.|location=Albany|publisher=State University of New York Press|isbn=978-1-4416-2410-9}}</ref> 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, spokesperson of the organization.<ref name=":5" /> The channel originated from an initiative in 2001 when people living in the far provinces of Thailand wanted to listen to the teachings of the temple. The temple therefore provided live teachings 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 satellite television channel instead. Later, in 2005, the temple developed an online counterpart to the channel.<ref name=":5">{{cite news|last1=Kongkrut|first1=Anchalee|last2=Na Ranong|first2=Jetjaras|title=Dhamma Online: Wat Dhammakaya's website allows people to listen to sermons at their convenience|work=Bangkok Post|publisher=The Post Publishing|date=20 February 2008|page=18}}</ref>

The channel is managed by Phra Maha Nopon Puññajayo, who supervises a team of thirty volunteers.<ref name="Nacharoen 2016" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86BN4QFp7wQ|date=7 December 2016|work=The Nation|language=th|script-title=th:สั่งปิดช่อง DMC ทีวีธรรมกาย|trans-title=Dhammakaya's DMC Channel closed down}}</ref> Previously, it was known by the [[Philosophy:Pun|pun]] 'the Dhamma satellite' ({{lang-th|จานดาวธรรม}}).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXoc_fHbh9U|date=26 December 2016|work=NOW|access-date=15 February 2017|language=th|script-title=th:ปิดทีวีธรรมกาย กสท.มติเอกฉันท์ถอนใบอนุญาต|trans-title=Dhammakaya's TV closed down, NBTC unanimously withdraws license}}</ref><ref name="Pochana">{{cite news|last1=Pochanalawan|first1=Pinyapan|script-title=th:'ทุ่มสุดฤทธิ์...ปิดเจดีย์' ว่าด้วยมหากาพย์ของมหาธรรมกายเจดีย์|trans-title='Fully dedicated to finish the Cetiya': About the saga of the Mahadhammakaya Cetiya|url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2009/04/20960|access-date=28 December 2017|work=Prachatai|date=22 April 2009|language=th}}</ref> The channel was one of the first widely spread satellite channels in Thailand, described as a form of "positive television" ({{lang-th|สื่อสีขาว|translation=white media}}).<ref>{{cite conference|last1=Buaban|first1=Jesada|date=August 2016|<!--script-title generates Lint error: Misnested tag with different rendering in HTML5 and HTML4 here --> script-title=th:''ความทรงจำในดวงแก้ว: ความทรงจำที่แปรเปลี่ยนไปเกี่ยวกับวัดพระธรรมกายภายใต้ปริมณฑลรัฐบาลทหารปี พ.ศ. 2557–2559''|trans-title=Memory in Crystal: Changing Memory on Dhammakaya Movement under the Umbrella of Military Junta 2014–2016|url=https://www.academia.edu/28222034|format=pdf|conference=The science of remembering and the art of forgetting 2nd conference|language=th|location=Songkhla-Nakharin University, Songkhla|publisher=Southeast Asian Studies Program, [[Organization:Walailak University|Walailak University]]|page=3|url-access=registration|conference-url=https://memoria2016-psu.blogspot.com/}}</ref> The channel's taglines were "The secrets of life revealed" and "The only one".<ref name="Post 2016" />{{sfn|Newell|2008|p=150}} Although the channel broadcasts over thirty different programs, the soap operas with Buddhist content have been most awarded: in 2008, the channel received an award from the Society for Positive Television in Thailand, and in 2010, it received an award from the National Anti-Corruption Commission—both were given for the edifying effects of the channel's soap operas.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dmc.tv/page_print.php?p=%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2/DMC-10-%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%B5-%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B5%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%8C%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9E%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%B9%E0%B8%A8%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%98%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%A5%E0%B8%81.html|title=DMC ปีที่ 10 "Change the world" สถานีโทรทัศน์เพื่อการฟื้นฟูศีลธรรมโลก|last=Vuddhivamso|language=th|first=Phra Sanitwong|date=2012|website=DMC|trans-title=10 years DMC: "Change the World", a television channel for reviving world's morality}}</ref> However, a more general award was also given by the House of Representatives in 2010.<ref name=":4" />

In 2016, the channel was ordered to shut down and its permit eventually withdrawn permanently when the junta cracked down on Wat Phra Dhammakaya during the Klongchan controversy.<ref name="Voice 2016" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> The channel was later revived in a new digital format, called GBN, short for Global Buddhist Network, which can only be accessed through the Internet.<ref name="Spring 2017" /><ref name=":3" />

== Programming and availability ==
[[File:Logo dmc2.png|alt=Former logo|thumb|Former logo of the Dhammakaya Media Channel]]
The main focus of the channel, as described by the temple, is moral education.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Thaitrakulpanich|first1=Asaree|title=Dhammakaya Defies Order to Halt Broadcasts|url=http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2016/12/07/dhammakaya-defies-order-halt-broadcasts/|access-date=11 December 2016|work=Khao Sod|publisher=Matichon Publishing|date=7 December 2016}}</ref> It has programs for people of different ages. It broadcasts guided meditations, talks, preaching, songs, documentaries, dramas, live events and cartoons twenty-four hours a day.<ref name="Post 2016" /><ref name="Nacharoen 2016">{{cite news|last1=Nacharoen|first1=Nithit|script-title=th:เปิดโครงสร้างทีมสื่อวัดพระธรรมกาย|trans-title=Revealing the organization structure of Wat Phra Dhammakaya's media team|url=http://www.komchadluek.net/news/detail/227978|access-date=10 November 2016|work=Kom Chad Luek|publisher=The Nation Group|date=20 November 2016|language=th}}</ref> Songs played on the channel are often parody versions of popular songs, in diverse genres, with Buddhist content.<ref name="Pochana" /> They explain Buddhist customs and pay homage to important teachers.<ref name="Pochana" />{{sfn|Newell|2008|p=151}} The programming is aimed at different age groups and diverse communities: e.g. there is a cartoon series about the Jātaka tales for children.{{sfn|Newell|2008|p=151}} The most popular program is a broadcast of a teaching called ''Fan Nai Fan'', which also includes a guided meditation.<ref>{{cite news|script-title=th:ธรรมกายเตรียมอุทธรณ์คำสั่ง "จอดำ" DMC|trans-title=Dhammakaya prepares to appeal closing down DMC|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPek3gkRBDs|access-date=15 February 2017|work=Amarin TV|date=7 December 2016|language=th}}</ref> Before the 2016 crackdown by the Thai junta, the channel could be watched or listened to for free through satellite television, Internet, cable and radio.<ref>{{cite news|script-title=th:"สำนักสื่อสารธรรมกาย" เปิดแนวรบสื่อเต็มรูปแบบ|trans-title=Dhammakaya's Department of Communication starts a fully equipped media battle center|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgweI3DyWpw|access-date=20 November 2016|work=NOW|date=31 May 2016|language=th}}</ref> In 2005, it was reported that DMC had a hundred thousand viewers.<ref name="Matichon 2005">{{cite news|script-title=th:คนแห่ร่วมสัปดาห์วันวิสาขะธรรมกายตั้งซุ้มขายสมาชิก|trans-title=Many people came to join the Visakha week, Dhammakaya set up stall to sell to members|work=Matichon|date=18 May 2005|page=13|language=th}}</ref> In 2016, the satellite channel could be received in all continents in the world, except for South America.<ref name="Nacharoen 2016" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dmc.tv/pages/about/coverage_area.html|title=Major Countries Under DMC Channel Coverage|date=1 January 2006|website=Dhammakaya Media Channel|publisher=Dhamma Research for Environment Foundation|access-date=25 June 2016}}</ref> The channel has programs in Thai, English, Chinese and Japanese language.<ref name="Post 2016" />{{sfn|Newell|2008|p=151}}

The channel was also broadcast in public places like temples, hotels and prisons.<ref name="Matichon 2005" /><ref name="Scott 2016">{{cite encyclopedia|editor1-last=Jerryson|editor1-first=Michael|year=2016|encyclopedia=The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Buddhism|publisher=[[Organization:Oxford University Press|Oxford University Press]]|isbn=978-0-19-936238-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rBk1DQAAQBAJ|title=Contemporary Thai Buddhism|last=Scott|first=Rachelle M.|page=203}}</ref> It sought cooperation with other Buddhist countries as well: the temple has assisted with establishing a Sri Lankan television channel with Buddhist content called Shraddha TV,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Somarathna|first1=Rasika|title=President meets Thai Bhikkus|url=http://archives.dailynews.lk/2007/03/21/news19.asp|access-date=10 November 2016|work=Daily News (Sri Lanka)|publisher=Lakehouse Newspapers|date=21 March 2007}}</ref> for which it has made content available for free and hired Sri Lankans to help translate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-2239534431.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011022043/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-2239534431.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 October 2017|title=Opportunities at Buddhist TV station in Thailand|work=The Sunday Observer|location=Sri Lanka|date=16 January 2011|access-date=10 October 2017|via=Highbeam|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Lankacom PVT|title=Screening of "Love Over", an English short film based on a true story|url=http://island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=174836|access-date=14 November 2017|work=The Island|date=11 November 2017}}</ref> For some programs Burmese Abhidhamma teachers were consulted.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lwin|first1=Ye|title=Thai TV to air Abhidhamma show|url=http://www.mmtimes.com/index.php/national-news/5412-thai-tv-to-air-abhidhamma-show.html|access-date=16 November 2016|work=The Myanmar Times|date=19 April 2010}}</ref>

== Steve Jobs episode ==
In 2012, the temple broadcast a talk by Luang Por Dhammajayo, the then abbot of Wat Phra Dhammakaya, about what happened to [[Biography:Steve Jobs|Steve Jobs]] after his death.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Crisis in Thai Buddhism|url=http://www.asiasentinel.com/society/the-crisis-in-thai-buddhism/|access-date=16 November 2016|work=Asia Sentinel|date=1 February 2013}}</ref> The talk came as a response to a software engineer of [[Company:Apple Inc.|Apple]] who had sent a letter with questions to the abbot. Luang Por Dhammajayo described how Steve Jobs looked like in heaven.<ref name="Sify 2012" /><ref name="TNA 2016" /> He said that Jobs had been reborn as a ''[[Religion:Deva (Buddhism)|deva]]'' (heavenly being) living close to his former offices,<ref name="Sify 2012" /><ref name="WSJ 2012" /> as a result of the karma of having given knowledge to people. He was a deva with a creative, but angry temperament.<ref name="Thai Rath 2016">{{cite news|script-title=th:กระฉ่อนโลกออนไลน์ ธรรมกายเผย'สตีฟ จ็อบส์'ตายแล้วไปไหน|trans-title=Circulating through the online world: Dhammakaya reveals where Steve Jobs went after his death|url=http://www.thairath.co.th/content/284972|access-date=3 December 2016|work=Thai Rath|publisher=Wacharapol|date=20 July 2012|language=th}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chantarasiri|first1=Ruangyot|script-title=th:สังคม ความเชื่อ และศรัทธา|trans-title=Society, beliefs and faith|work=Lok Wannee|date=27 August 2012|page=2|language=th}}</ref> The talk was much criticized, and the abbot was accused of pretending to have attained an advanced meditative state and of attempting to outshine other temples. The temple answered the critics, saying that the talk was meant to illustrate principles of karma, not to defame Jobs, nor to fake an advanced state.<ref name="Sify 2012">{{cite news|title=Steve Jobs now an angel living in parallel universe|url=http://www.sify.com/news/steve-jobs-now-an-angel-living-in-parallel-universe-news-international-miyk4jggedasi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901130429/http://www.sify.com/news/steve-jobs-now-an-angel-living-in-parallel-universe-news-international-miyk4jggedasi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 September 2016|access-date=10 November 2016|work=Sify|agency=Asian News International|date=24 August 2012|location=New Delhi}}</ref><ref name="TNA 2016">{{cite news|url=http://www.tnamcot.com/content/482809|date=3 June 2016|work=Thai News Agency|script-title=th:ธรรมกายแจงปมภัยศาสนา|trans-title=Dhammakaya responds to issues that threaten {{bracket|Buddhist}} religion|access-date=15 November 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318153419/http://www.tnamcot.com/content/482809|archive-date=18 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="WSJ 2012">{{cite news|url=https://blogs.wsj.com/indonesiarealtime/2012/08/31/thai-group-says-steve-jobs-reincarnated-as-warrior-philosopher/|title=Thai Group Says Steve Jobs Reincarnated as Warrior-Philosopher|last1=Hookway|first1=James|date=31 August 2012|work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=10 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141202125219/https://blogs.wsj.com/indonesiarealtime/2012/08/31/thai-group-says-steve-jobs-reincarnated-as-warrior-philosopher/|archive-date=2 December 2014|url-status=dead|agency=Dow Jones & Company}}</ref>

Critics such as Phra Paisal Visalo and religion scholar Surapot Taweesak pressed the Supreme Sangha Council, who leads the monastic community in Thailand, to investigate further as to whether Luang Por Dhammajayo had fraudulent intentions. Surapot, known for his liberal views on [[Religion:Separation of church and state|separation of religion and state]], was criticized by sociologist Kengkit Kitirianglap and others, however, for abandoning his liberal position. With regard to the teaching about Steve Jobs, Kengkit argued that the state, of which the council is part, should not get involved in what is "true Buddhism" and what is not. Surapot replied that urging the council to crack down on Luang Por Dhammajayo does not go against democratic principles, because the [[Philosophy:Vinaya|monastic discipline]] applies to all monks equally.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Thaweesak|first1=Surapot|script-title=th:สตีฟ จ็อบส์ ฉบับธรรมกาย กับปัญหาธรรมวินัยและการประยุกต์พุทธธรรม|trans-title=Dhammakaya's version of Steve Jobs and the dilemma of Vinaya and applying Buddhism|url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2012/08/42293|access-date=31 December 2017|work=Prachatai|date=26 August 2012|language=th}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kitirianglap|first1=Kengkit|script-title=th:ปัญหาธรรมกาย-พระไพศาล-มหาเถรสมาคม-สุรพศ และบททดลองเสนอเกี่ยวกับสถานะของสถาบันศาสนาในสังคมไทย|trans-title=The dilemma of Dhammakaya, Phra Paisal, Supreme Sangha Council and Surapot, and a hypothesis about religious institutions in Thai society|url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2012/08/42403|access-date=31 December 2017|work=Prachatai|date=31 August 2012|language=th}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Thaweesak|first1=Surapot|script-title=th:ปัญหาการอ้าง 'ศาสนาเป็นอิสระจากรัฐ' กับความชอบธรรมในการดำเนินการทางพระธรรมวินัย|trans-title=The issue of citing 'religion is independent from the state' and justice in Vinaya procedures|url=https://prachatai.com/journal/2012/09/42410|access-date=31 December 2017|work=Prachatai|date=1 September 2012|language=th}}</ref>

== Shutdown ==
[[File:DMC about the life of the Buddha.png|thumb|350x350px|Program about the life of the [[Biography:Gautama Buddha|Buddha]]]]
In 2014, Wat Phra Dhammakaya came under scrutiny under the new military junta<ref name="Dubus 2016">{{cite news|url=http://eglasie.mepasie.org/asie-du-sud-est/thailande/2016-06-22-derriere-la-controverse-autour-du-temple-bouddhique-dhammakaya-un-bras-de-fer-religieux-et-politique|title=Controverse autour du temple bouddhique Dhammakaya: un bras de fer religieux et politique|last=Dubus|first=Arnaud|date=22 June 2016|work=Églises d'Asie|publisher=Information Agency for Foreign Missions of Paris|language=fr|trans-title=Controversy regarding the Dhammakaya Buddhist temple: A religious and political standoff|access-date=4 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123040416/http://eglasie.mepasie.org/asie-du-sud-est/thailande/2016-06-22-derriere-la-controverse-autour-du-temple-bouddhique-dhammakaya-un-bras-de-fer-religieux-et-politique|archive-date=23 January 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="TNA 20162">{{cite news|url=http://www.tnamcot.com/content/482809|date=3 June 2016|work=Thai News Agency|access-date=15 November 2016|language=th|script-title=th:ธรรมกายแจงปมภัยศาสนา|trans-title=Dhammakaya responds to issues that threaten {{bracket|Buddhist}} religion|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318153419/http://www.tnamcot.com/content/482809|archive-date=18 March 2017}}</ref> and in 2015 was implicated in the Klongchan controversy. 11.37 billion baht ($3.6M, €2.9M or £2.6M, {{as of|2018|04|lc=on}}) was allegedly embezzled from the Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative, in which a portion totaling over one billion baht was found to have been given to the temple via public donations.<ref name="Yee 161116">{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/politics-and-religion-coming-worryingly-together-in-temple-scandal|title=Politics and religion coming worryingly together in temple scandal|author=Tan Hui Yee|date=23 June 2016|work=The Straits Times|access-date=16 November 2016|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|url-access=limited}}</ref><ref name="Thai PBS 160502">{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s72K_zUt5T0|date=2 May 2016|work=Thai PBS|access-date=11 November 2016|language=th|script-title=th:พิษเงินบริจาคพันล้าน|trans-title=Poisonous donations of a billion baht|lay-url=http://www.dhammakayauncovered.com/editorial/2016/4/21/a-perspective-on-the-klongchan-credit-union-cooperative-case|lay-source=Dhammakaya Uncovered|lay-date=21 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.springnews.co.th/program/newstalk/facetime/289026|date=28 April 2016|work=Spring News|access-date=4 April 2016|language=th|script-title=th:ฟังทนายพระธัมมชโย แจงคดีร้อน|trans-title=Let's listen to the lawyer of Phra Dhammajayo, providing information about a controversial lawsuit|lay-url=http://www.dhammakayauncovered.com/editorial/2016/4/21/a-perspective-on-the-klongchan-credit-union-cooperative-case|lay-source=Dhammakaya Uncovered|lay-date=21 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502103703/http://www.springnews.co.th/program/newstalk/facetime/289026|archive-date=2 May 2016}}</ref> The investigations resulted in several failed raids on the temple and the channel was ordered to shut down for thirty days, authorities citing that the channel was used to mobilize people to resist a possible arrest of the former abbot, as people had done during the first raid. The temple appealed to a higher court, denying the accusations and stating that insufficient evidence had been provided.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|title=Thai authorities shut down controversial Wat Dhammakaya temple's 24-hour TV channel amid scandal|url=http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2052903/thai-authorities-shut-down-controversial-wat-dhammakaya|access-date=15 February 2017|work=South China Morning Post|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=8 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1154077/regulator-takes-temple-tv-off-air|title=Regulator takes temple TV off air|date=8 December 2016|work=Bangkok Post|access-date=8 December 2016|publisher=The Post Publishing|url-access=limited}}</ref> The temple further described the shutdown as an infringement of human rights.<ref name=":6">{{cite news|last1=Chotsiripornrit|first1=Natchapan|script-title=th:ปิดทีวีธรรมกาย ชนวนเหตุระดมพล|trans-title=Closing down channel Dhammakaya, reason used for mobilizing|url=http://news.voicetv.co.th/thailand/439647.html|access-date=7 December 2016|work=Voice TV|publisher=Digital TV Network|language=th}}</ref>

The channel's broadcast permit was permanently withdrawn the same month, on 26 December.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> Critics compared the shutdown with the military crackdown during the 1992 Black May protest, news outlet Bangkok Post criticizing the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission for "operating outside the courts and justice system".<ref name="Voice 2016">{{cite news|script-title=th:กสท.สั่งปิดทีวีธรรมกายภัยความมั่นคง|language=th|trans-title=NBTC orders closing down Dhammakaya TV, {{bracket|citing it is}} threat to {{bracket|national}} security|via=SHTV|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEW8lkyEfyg|access-date=15 February 2017|work=Voice TV|publisher=Digital TV Network|date=27 December 2016}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1173549/nbtc-must-abide-by-law|title=NBTC must abide by law|work=Bangkok Post|publisher=The Post Publishing|date=3 January 2017|page=9}}</ref> The online channel was still available.<ref>{{cite news|script-title=th:ตั้ง ธัมมชโย เป็นเจ้าอาวาสกิตติมศักดิ์ ธรรมกายหันไลฟ์สดผ่าน FB-Youtube แทนหลังช่อง DMC ถูกปิด|trans-title=Dhammajayo appointed as honorary abbot, after closing down Dhammakaya broadcasts live through Facebook and Youtube instead|url=http://morning-news.bectero.com/social-crime/09-Dec-2016/92874|access-date=11 December 2016|work=BEC-tero|publisher=BEC World|date=9 December 2016|language=th}}</ref> Despite the channel being shut down, Thai Rath and other main media outlets have continued to broadcast the temple's ceremonies.<ref>{{cite news|script-title=th:ศิษย์ธรรมกายแน่นสวดมนต์ข้ามปี|trans-title=Dhammakaya's devotees chant in great numbers with New Year|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKJZ29Zfj9g|access-date=15 February 2017|work=Thai Rath|publisher=Wacharapol|date=31 December 2016|language=th}}</ref> The temple has stated that the number of people joining ceremonies has increased since the shutdown, people showing sympathy with the temple and the satellite channel.<ref>{{cite news|script-title=th:ธรรมกายโชว์คนเยอะแน่นวัด โวเมื่อรู้ว่า DMC ถูกปิดคนยิ่งมา|trans-title=Dhammakaya shows great number of people, boasts that when DMC is shut down, people joining only increase|url=http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/730875|work=Bangkok Biz News|publisher=The Nation Group|date=8 December 2016|language=th}}</ref>

== Revival and aftermath ==
On 24 April 2017, a host of the ''Inside Thailand'' program on Spring News noticed a revival of the Dhammakaya Media Channel through a new digital format, called GBN, short for Global Buddhist Network. The new tagline of the channel was "Channel for the path to the cessation of suffering and attainment of Dhamma". The channel could be received through the Internet only, and featured very similar contents as before, although the temple's spokesperson assured there would be no further attempts at mobilizing people.<ref name="Spring 2017">{{cite news|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnFmQymYLaI|script-title=th:กลับมาแล้วทีวีธรรมกาย ถ่ายสดวันเกิดธัมมชโย|language=th|trans-title=Dhammakaya's television has returned: live broadcast of Dhammajayo's birthday|work=Spring News|date=24 April 2017|access-date=14 June 2017|first1=Danai|last1=Ekmahasawat|first2=Amonrat|last2=Mahitthiruk}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite news|script-title=th:วันคล้ายวันเกิดครบ 73 ปี พระธัมมชโย วัดพระธรรมกาย-ลูกศิษย์จัดงานทำบุญวันคุ้มครองโลก|trans-title=Phra Dhammajayo's 73rd birthday: devotees organize Earth Day ceremony|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCYSN8uDd20|access-date=15 June 2017|work=Thai PBS|date=22 April 2017|language=th}}</ref> Thus, the channel continued in online formats only, through a website and a separate online broadcast. {{As of|2017|post=,}} the website ranked 674th of all Thai websites on the Alexa ranking.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/dmc.tv|title=dmc.tv Traffic Statistics|date=15 August 2017|website=[[Company:Alexa Internet|Alexa Internet]]|access-date=15 August 2017}}</ref>

The closing down of DMC was not the last time that the junta decided to impose sanctions against a media outlet. In March 2017, the junta closed down Voice TV for seven days, after the channel criticized the martial law imposed on Wat Phra Dhammakaya during the junta's crackdown.<ref>{{cite news|work=Thai PBS|url=http://news.thaipbs.or.th/content/261187|title=มติบอร์ด กสท.สั่งปิด "วอยซ์ทีวี" เพิ่มเป็น 7 วัน หลังอนุกก.ผังรายการ กสทช.ให้ปิด 3 วัน|language=th|trans-title=Board of Broadcasting Commission orders closing down Voice TV for four more days, after its planning subcommittee ordered three days shut down|date=27 March 2017|access-date=20 August 2017}}</ref> And in August the same year, [[Peace TV (Thailand)|Peace TV]] was also closed down for a month, the junta citing "it broke the rules of the NCPO".<ref>{{cite news|work=Thai Rath|url=https://www.thairath.co.th/content/1033730|title=นายกฯ ยันปิด "พีซทีวี" ไร้ใบสั่งการเมือง ไม่เกี่ยวคดี "ปู" จำนำข้าว|language=th|trans-title=PM denies closing down Peace TV for political reasons, nothing to do with lawsuit pawed rice Yingluck|date=10 August 2017|access-date=20 August 2017}}</ref> Some reports related this to a policy of removing former PM Thaksin's influence, a policy which has also been connected with Wat Phra Dhammakaya.<ref>{{cite news|work=Thai PBS|url=http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/nbtc-suspends-red-shirt-peace-tvs-broadcasting-licence-30-days/|title=NBTC suspends red-shirt Peace TV's broadcasting licence 30 days|date=10 August 2017|access-date=14 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.alterasia.org/201505044141/de-recuperation-politique-bouddhisme/|title=De la récupération politique du bouddhisme|last1=Mérieau|first1=Eugénie|date=4 April 2015|work=Gavroche|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729095122/http://www.alterasia.org/201505044141/de-recuperation-politique-bouddhisme/|archive-date=29 July 2017|language=fr|trans-title=About the political recovery of Buddhism|via=Alter Asia}}</ref>

== See also ==
* Access to Insight
* Buddhist Publication Society
* Dhamma Society Fund
* Lord Buddha TV
* Shraddha TV
* The Buddhist (TV channel)

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== References ==
{{refbegin}}
*{{Citation|url=http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?did=1&uin=uk.bl.ethos.498028|title=Monks, meditation and missing links: continuity, "orthodoxy" and the vijjā dhammakāya in Thai Buddhism|last=Newell|first=C.S.|publisher=Department of the Study of Religions, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London|type=PhD thesis|year=2008|doi=10.25501/SOAS.00007499}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW41YEMRaB-MXFyDLARwm7w GBN on Youtube, official channel]

{{Dhammakaya Tradition Footer}}

[[Category:Internet television]]

{{Sourceattribution|Global Buddhist Network|1}}