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Meditation in Asia - Retreat Infos

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image Luangpho Toh. It is about 200 years old, 10 m high and 4 m wide and<br />

constitutes the Wat Sangathan sanctum.<br />

How to get there:<br />

Bangkok–Nonthaburi<br />

The fastest and easest way from Bangkok to Nonthaburi is to take "Chao-Phraya-<br />

Expressboat". You can enter the boat at the every ferry pier <strong>in</strong> Bangkok. Then get off<br />

at the station no. 28 "Wat Kien" (from Banglampoo 40 M<strong>in</strong>.). From there walk 5 m<strong>in</strong>.,<br />

then you get to Radio Station, the "back entrance". Wait at the station for the m<strong>in</strong>ibus<br />

with the sign ‘Wat Sanghathan', which will take you to the ma<strong>in</strong> entrance.<br />

<strong>Meditation</strong> system: The four basics of m<strong>in</strong>dfulness (Satipatthana), observation of<br />

breath (Anapanasati) and other methods mentioned <strong>in</strong> the Buddhist scriptures.<br />

Teach<strong>in</strong>g method: Beg<strong>in</strong>ners are <strong>in</strong>troduced to the technique. Later they participate<br />

<strong>in</strong> regular <strong>in</strong>terviews. Sitt<strong>in</strong>g and walk<strong>in</strong>g meditation also <strong>in</strong> a group sett<strong>in</strong>g (see daily<br />

schedule).<br />

Teacher: Ven. Acharn Sanong, abbot, 56. Acharn Sanong speaks Thai and a little<br />

English. Several resident monks and nuns can help with translations.<br />

Accommodation: Lay meditators are given a s<strong>in</strong>gle room or a bed <strong>in</strong> the dorms.<br />

Women sleep <strong>in</strong> the nuns‘ section, men <strong>in</strong> the monks‘.<br />

Registration: For participation <strong>in</strong> an <strong>in</strong>tensive course <strong>in</strong> Ban Sawangjai Center<br />

(Khao Yai national park) registration is recommended.<br />

Orda<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g: It is possible to orda<strong>in</strong> as a monk or nun. You should have spent some<br />

time as lay meditator <strong>in</strong> the temple before, though.<br />

Size: Monks: 100–300, novices: 10–300 (dur<strong>in</strong>g school holidays only), nuns: 30, lay<br />

meditators: 40–100.<br />

Food: One meal daily only. A rich variety of Thai dishes is offered buffet-style. It<br />

always <strong>in</strong>cludes some vegetarian dishes.<br />

Costs: Free of charge. Donations are welcome.<br />

Rules: All participants commit themselves to observe the eight silas (moral<br />

precepts). Cloth<strong>in</strong>g should be white, comfortable, and decent (no shorts or tank tops).<br />

In the monastery area there is a shop, where on can buy white cloth<strong>in</strong>g and the<br />

necessary. Permission is given to stay 7 days <strong>in</strong> Wat Sanghathan to meditate and<br />

study the Buddhadhamma. If you want to stay longer, you must ask the permission of<br />

Acharn Sanong. For your first stay <strong>in</strong> Wat Sanghathan please br<strong>in</strong>g 2 passport<br />

28

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