Meditation in Southeast Asia - Insight Meditation Center

storey hall began in 1988 on a site further up the hill, and when completed not only
provided a place for meditation, but also space for an office, library, store-rooms and
a large storage-tank for rain-water. In 1993, again due to the increasing size of the
monastic community, it became necessary to construct a new eating hall (16m x
20m), which would also provide a space where large numbers of lay visitors could
gather to receive teaching. Finally, a few years ago the new temple (Uposatha hall or
Bot) was completed, and it has become the focal point for the life of the monastic
community. It seemed appropriate to locate it in the highest part of the monastery,
which will also help preserve it as a quiet place for the practice of meditation. The
design incorporates elements of both traditional Thai and contemporary architectural
styles and the building is set on several different levels, following the contours of the
hillside. The large overall area of (24m x 32m) is sufficient to accommodate large
meetings of monks and laity, and the 18m high roof is intended to impart a sense of
spaciousness even on occasions when large numbers of people are gathered inside.
The shape of the temple resembles that of a ship, the traditional emblem of Rayong
province.
How to get there: From Bangkok Eastern (Ekachai) Bus Terminal there are regular
services to Bahn Phe throughout the day, the journey takes about 4 hours. From the
pier in Bahn Phe it is about 20 minutes by taxi. When crossing the main road, watch
out for signs to Wat Marp Jun or Wat Dhammasathit (Ajahn Fuang’s monastery
which is located a bit further in the same direction). Before the final turn-off (about 2
miles from the monastery), there are signs in English.
Tradition and teacher: Than Ajahn Anan Akincano is a disciple of Luang Por Chah,
whose main monastery (Wat Nong Pah Pong) is in the North-East. This tradition
traces its lineage back to Than Ajahn Mun (strict dhutanga-kammatthana tradition),
although technically it belongs to the Mahanikaya sect -- most of the other forest
monasteries belong to the Dhammayut sect. Ajahn Anan is in his early fifties, studied
at university and speaks a little bit English. He was Luang Por Chah's secretary and
has shown himself as a good administrator. Ajahn Anan's disciples have already set
up 10 branch monasteries in Thailand. In contrast to other forest monasteries, Wat
Marp Jun is quite modern and comfortable, and the monks who live there usually
come from central Thailand. They will often speak some English and have a
Western-style education. Ajahn Anan attracts a lot of middle-class Thais from nearby
Rayong and Bangkok, and he conducts temporary ordinations primarily for students
at certain times of the year. The number of monks fluctuates between 15 and 25,
plus novices. In recent years there have also been about 8 Western monks (from
Wat Pah Nanachat) in residence.
Language: Thai, English.
Meditation technique: In his formal talks (in the evenings or before the meal) Ajahn
Anan teaches a full range of traditional Theravada meditation methods. From
establishing mindfulness in daily acitivities such as eating, to contemplation of the 4
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