Meditation in Asia - Retreat Infos

elements and the 32 parts of the body, spreading metta, and developing samadhi
using the repetition "Buddho" with the breath. In private interviews, usually after the
meal or late in the evening at the office-kuti, one can go into more detail and ask
questions about one's practice (Western monks can usually translate). Ajahn Anan
also has a reputation for his familiarity with heightened levels of meditative
consciousness, and for his open-minded approach to other traditions.
Costs: Guests can give a donation.
Lodging: Male guests sleep in a dormitory below the eating hall. There is a separate
section for women with nice kutis. Electricity, running water, and showers are
available. Men can usually be accomodated at short notice, but women should make
prior arrangement to make sure there is enough space. Sometimes large groups
come and stay in the monastery for a few days to practise meditation. One Thai
woman is always resident and helps look after the kitchen. She also speaks English.
In the past, brown-robed nuns from Amaravati stayed for longer periods of time, but
that's not possible anymore, now they can only stay for a couple of weeks. Whiterobed
mae chees don't normally live here.
What to bring: Flashlight with batteries, alarm clock, insect repellant, white clothes.
There is no public phone. One can buy things conveniently in Bahn Phe (it is possible
to get a ride from the monastery).
Food: Very good quality and quantity (especially on weekends). What is brought
back from almsround by the monks (some go to Bahn Phe every day in a van) is
shared, and then some food is also cooked in the kitchen. It is possible to eat only
vegetarian food. In the late afternoon there are drinks and sweets available for
everybody. Drinking water is provided, and general hygiene is comparable to the
West.
Rules: All guests should keep the 8 precepts, and apart from the meal and drinks,
they can join the morning and evening chanting followed by meditation. Men and
women live in separate quarters, there is not much opportunity for meeting. Women
might be expected to help in the kitchen in the mornings.
Daily schedule: Morning meditation at 4 a.m. (optional) followed by chanting, setting
up the Sala for the meal, then the monks leave for pindapat (almsround) around 5:15
a.m. Guests help with sweeping around the Sala, and the monks join them after they
return, waiting for the food to be prepared. The meal is usually eaten between 8 and
9 a.m. One can go back to one's dwelling after that and meet again for afternoon
chores (sweeping, cleaning) around 2 p.m. Drinks are taken at 5 p.m., which is the
main social event of the day. The evening chanting and meditation begins around 8
p.m. and can sometimes be followed by listening to a taped talk of Ajahn Chah.
(They are fond of playing inspiring Dhamma CDs -- even in the morning and before
the meal.) Then Ajahn Anan will often invite people to his office-kuti for a late-night
drink, which can go on until 11 p.m. Generally speaking the routine is quite relaxed
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