Meditation in Asia - Retreat Infos

Head Monastery: Wat Sanghathan
Bangphai, Muang, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand
Tel: +66-2-44 71 766 or +66-2-44 70 799, Fax: +66-02-4472784
Internet: www.vimokkha.com, E-mail: vimokkha@hotmail.com
Mae Chee Brigitte does not stay there any more. It is possible there would be
no one speaking English. Khao Yai center is not being used very often, before
arriving there one should ask for information in Wat Sanghathan.
Location: Ban Sawang Jai (house of the enlightended heart), a branch of Wat
Sanghathan, is located about 250 km northeast of Bangkok. A beautiful, quiet and
spacious place, about 3 km from the main gate of Khao Yai National Park. The area
is very green, with grass, fields, bushland, banana trees around a hill, the center of
the monastery. Places for practice are plenty. There are some quite comfortable huts
(kutis) for lay meditators, a large meditation hall (used mainly during the intense
meditation course) and the monks' area around the hill. Here also is the hall
containing the buddha image, the kitchen, a cave that is being prepared as a place
for services, and other infrastructure.
Travel: From Bangkok Northern Bus Terminal by Air Con Bus to Pak Chong (110
Baht). From Bus Terminal Pak Chong by taxi to Ban Sawang Jai (200 Baht, need to
bargain).
Taxi from Wat Sanghathan to Khao Yai costs ca 1.300 Baht. Some taxi drivers do not
know the way though it is easy to find. Go to Khao Yai National Park main gate
(everybody knows this one). Approaching the gate (about 500 m beforehand) a road
goes left. There is a sign saying “Ban Sawang Jai” in English and Thai. Follow this
road for 4 km. Then on the left you will find the entrance with a big sign in English
and sort of a stone monument in Thai.
There also are pick-up trucks available (20 Baht). Leave Pak Chong Bus Terminal to
main road. Walk 10 minutes to the right. Cross the road to “Seven-eleven” shop.
Pick-up trucks are waiting in front.
Participants of the meditation course (see below) will be picked up by bus from Wat
Sanghathan, Nonthaburi.
Reservations: For participation in the meditiation course a reservation some time
ahead is advisable.
Meditation Course: Once a month (starting first saturday of every month) a one
week intense meditation course is held. Participants are mainly Thai people from
Bangkok area. Language is Thai (in teachings, talks, guided meditations, etc.). After
the 7-days course participants are welcome to stay longer in Khao Yai Meditation
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