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Meditation in Thailand

This page lists the Temples in Bangkok where you can learn meditation, click the links for other parts of Thailand you maybe interested in.

Learn Meditation in SouthernThailand
Learn Meditation in Central Thailand
Meditation in Isaan
Learn Meditation in Northern Thailand

So you want to learn to meditate in Thailand, Thailand has many Wats that we as non speaking Thais can attend and stay at to learn to meditate, you will need to be able to speak English though, from Temples in Bangkok to places in the Thai forests, you are sure to find one that suits your needs in your quest to learn meditation.

Some of these Temples listed below also have famous Thai Monks residing in them to help with tuition of meditation, also most of these Temples allow people to visit first to see if it is suitable for them, some may be considered a bit too basic for a farang to stay at, but you really shouldn't be expecting hot water baths, air-con and king sized beds, you won't see much of that in these Temples.

Listing of Thai Temples that have Meditation Courses

Meditation Lessons in Bangkok

Wat Mahathat

MEANING OF NAME :

"Temple of the great element" (refers to a famouscopper pagoda)

ALSO SPELLED :

Wat Mahadhatu

ADDRESS :

Tha-Phrachan, Bangkok 10200

DIRECTIONS :

Located west of Sanam Luang (parade grounds) and south of the National Museum and Thammasat University.
Main entrances are on the west side from Maharaj Road. Many city buses pass by the area.

TELEPHONE :

0-2222-6011 (Section 5) 0-2222-4981 (Section 5 secretary) 0-2222-2835 (Dhamma Vicaya Hall)

MEDITATION SYSTEM :

Vipassana using techniques similar to those taught by Mahasi Sayadaw. Based on Four Foundations of Mindfulness described in the Maha Satipatthana Sutta. Concentration is developed on the rise and fall of the abdomen, then awareness is directed to physical and mental sensations.

TEACHING METHOD :

Individual daily interviews. Weekly lectures in Thai (usually on Sundays).
Most meditation instruction and practice takes place in Section 5.

TEACHERS :

Ajahn Maha Sawai Nanaviro (Thai; age 35) Ajahn Phramaha Boonchit (Nanasangvaro) (Thai; age 34). Other experienced monks and laypeople assist. Ajahn Phramaha Suphap Khemarangsi (Thai; age 45) is head of Section 5.

LANGUAGE :

Teachers and some assistants in Section 5 can speak a little English, though instruction is normally given in Thai. If no one speaks English when you visit, ask at the Dhamma Vicaya Hall.

DESCRIPTION :

Large, busy temple of 50 rai (20 acres). Founded in the18th century, Wat MahaThat serves as an important center for Thai Buddhism. Many of the monks attend Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University here. Crowds of worshippers visit the various viharns, shrines, chedis, and Buddha images on the grounds. Monks in the Dhamma Vicaya Hall sometimes speak English and can answer questions; scheduled talks are given here. Meditation takes place in Section 5; you're welcome to join in on the group sitting and walking sessions.

SIZE :

Monks 300-400 (one of the largest populations in Thailand during the Rains Retreat) (30-50 monks in Section 5) Novices 50-70 (about 10 in Section 5) Nuns 10-12 (about 8 in Section 5) Laypeople about 550 (30-40 in Section 5)

DAILY ROUTINE :

In Section 5; 6.30 am. breakfast; 7-11 am. morning chanting (about 30 min.) and sitting and walking group meditation; 11.30 am. lunch; 1.00-4.00 p.m. sitting and walking group meditation; 4.00 pm. drinks; 6.00-8.00 or 9.00 pm. evening chanting (about one hour) and sitting and walking group meditation.

FOOD :

Good quality and variety. A simple breakfast in early morning, then the main meal in late morning; drinks are served in the afternoon. Meditators can also arrange for food, including vegetarian, to be delivered from shops.

ACCOMMODATIONS :

Laypeople usually stay in dormitories, separate for men and women; conditions tend to be crowded. Monks,novices, and some laymen have individual rooms. Electricity and running water. Bathing is from jars or showers; Asian-style toilets.

WRITE IN ADVANCE? :

Not necessary.

OTHER INFORMATION :

Laypeople follow 8 precepts and will normally wear white clothing.
Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University Bookstore, facing the street on the north side of the wat, has some English books on Buddhism; other Buddhist bookstores are on the same street.




Wat Bovornives Vihara

MEANING OF NAME :

"Temple of excellent abode"

ALSO SPELLED :

Wat Bovoranives, Wat Bovorn, Wat Bowonniwet, Wat Bowon.

ADDRESS :

248 Phra Sumen Road., Banglampoo, Bangkok 10200

DIRECTIONS :

On Phra Sumen in Banglampoo district, 2 blocks north of the Democracy Monument. Many city buses pass through the area.

TELEPHONE :

0-2280-0869 0-2281-2831-3

MEDITATION SYSTEM :

No formal teachings or meditation instructions are currently offered. The teacher is very busy with duties. This temple is mentioned because it's an important center for Thai Buddhism. Usually a few foreign monks are in residence who can answer questions.

TEACHERS :

His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyansam vara, the Supreme Patriarch (sangharaja) of Thailand (Thai; age 78).

DESCRIPTION :

Thirty-one rai (12.5 acres) in an urban setting with some trees and a few open spaces. Small canals criss-cross the grounds. Some of the buildings have notable Thai or European architecture

.

The Great Chedi, glittering with gold-colored tiles, towers more than 50 meters high; relics of the Buddha lie inside within a small metal chedi. If you're here on a Sunday afternoon, you can visit the Dhamma Museum in the tall building near the street; exhibits include Buddha images, temple paraphernalia, skeletons and other meditation objects, and "cremation books" (given out on cremation occasions). Resident monks engage primarily in Dhamma studies; Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Buddhist University is.

SIZE :

monks 100-160 novices 20-25 nuns 0 laypeople (just schoolboys and workmen)

ACCOMMODATIONS :

Not generally available or recommended for meditators.

ORDINATION :

Foreigners occasionally ordain here but few stay; contact the secretary for details.

OTHER INFORMATION :

A small English library is available at Gana Soong (International Section). Mahamakut Bookstore, on Phra Sumen across from the wat, has many Buddhist books in English; publishers represented include Buddhist Publication Society, Pali Text Society, and Mahamakut Rajavidyalaya Press; closed Sunday.

The temple has had a long and glorious history. In 1836, King Rama III, in a boat procession, invited Prince Bhikku Mongkut to become abbot of Wat Bovornives Vihara. Prince Mongkut was a scholar of Pali Buddhism and the first Asian king to speak English fluently.

On the death of Prince Mongkut's half brother King RamaIII, he left the Order to become king, being known in the West as King Rama IV. In 1956, King Mongkut's great grandson, H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the present king of Thailand, was ordained and resided at Wat Bovornives for a period.
The royal history continues with the ordination of Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn and several of his children who, after ordination, resided here.




Wat Paknam

MEANING OF NAME :

"Monastery at the mouth of the river"

ADDRESS :

Therdthai Road., Amper Phasicharoen, Bangkok 10160

DIRECTIONS :

Located west across the Chao Phraya River in Thonburi, part of metropolitan Bangkok. Easily reached by city buses #4, 9, or 103. If you don't mind some spray (the water isn't too clean), you can take a long-tailed boat to the wat from Rajinee (Rachini) and Saphan Phut jetties north of the Memorial Bridge on the east side of the Chao Phraya.

TELEPHONE :

0-2467-0811

MEDITATION SYSTEM :

The technique begins by concentrating on a point inside the body in the center of the abdomen, 2 finger-widths above the navel. This point is said to be the place where consciousness has its seat.
The words "Samma Araham" can be repeated mentally to aid initial development of concentration. Aluminous nucleus appears at the center point, then develops into a still and translucent sphere about 2 cm in diameter. Within the sphere appears another nucleus which emerges into a sphere. The process continues with increasingly refined spheres or forms appearing in succession.
The high levels of concentration achieved are used in vipassana to develop penetrating insight.

A qualified teacher is important in this practice. The late abbot Ven. Chao Khun Mongkol-Thepmuni (1884-1959) popularized this meditation system. The wat has a book in English, "Samma Samadhi" by T. Magness, that explains the technique in detail.

TEACHING METHOD :

Individual interviews as needed. Talks in Thai by a monk or a tape recording of Ven. Chao Khun Mongkol- Thepmuni are given 2 or 3 times a day at group sittings in the meditation hall.

TEACHERS :

Chao Khun Bhawana Kosol Thera (Thai; age 72); he speaks English and Japanese. Ven. P.K. Bhavananuwat (Thai; age 77); he speaks a little English.

LANGUAGE :

Teachers speak some English and people are usually around who can translate. Easiest for one who can speak Thai.

DESCRIPTION :

The "bot" and many large, multi-story buildings are tightly packed on the 17-rai (7-acre) grounds. Urban setting. Large crowds of worshippers come on weekends and Buddhist holidays. The wat dates back to the early 18th century in the Ayuthaya Period.

SIZE :

monks 200-400 (one of the largest populations in Thailand during the Rains Retreat) novices 80-90 nuns 200-300 laypeople about 100 (half practice meditation)

DAILY ROUTINE :

Meditators can practice individually or attend group sessions.

FOOD :

Good quality and variety; offered in the temple at daybreak and at 11.00 am. Monks and novices can go on pindabat if they wish. Laypeople eat after the monks and novices have eaten.

ACCOMMODATIONS :

Monks and novices usually stay in individual rooms, some with attached Thai- or western-style bathrooms. Nuns have shared rooms. Laypeople may be able to stay except during the Rains Retreat.

WRITE IN ADVANCE? :

Not necessary.

OTHER INFORMATION :

Ven. Chao Khun Mongkol-Thepmuni revived this system of meditation, sometimes called "Dhammakaya. " He's very highly venerated by the Thais. A shrine room in the wat contains his coffin and a life-like wax statue.

Laypeople practicing meditation normally follow 8 precepts and wear white clothing; visitors staying a week or two can follow the 5 precepts and wear regular clothing.