The website for temple forest monastery, also known as jetavana, a buddhist monastery in temple, new hampshire and a branch of the thai forest tradition. A roundup of some of the best places in thailand to do a buddhist meditation retreat. Quotes from thai forest tradition khao tham insight. Wat pah nanachat is a buddhist monastery in northeast thailand, in the theravada forest tradition. Hello all, i am wondering if any of you can be kind enough to teach and advise a newbie from singapore on how to obtain a meditation visa for me to meditate longterm in a thai forest retreat and the like. Also known by its pali name, sitavana translated as cool forest grove, the monastery provides a peaceful forest refuge for monastics and lay people who are seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of the buddhas. Thailand wat pah nanachat is a buddhist monastery in northeast thailand, in the theravada forest tradition. Ajahn jamnian seelasettho also known as ajahn jumnien is a rare and remarkable buddhist master in the theravada thai forest tradition ajahn jamnian buddhist retreats teachings and events with a thai buddhist meditation master.
The thai forest tradition is the branch of theravada buddhism in thailand that most strictly upholds the original monastic rules of discipline laid down by the buddha. If youre looking for a beginner meditation retreat, look no further than wat pa tam wua forest monastery in northern thailand. Founded in 1990 by ajaan suwat suvaco, it has been under the direction of. For some notes on the names and titles of thai monks, see the endnotes. Jan 29, 2010 adas ten day retreat at a thai forest tradition monastery. The thai forest tradition is the branch of theravada buddhism in thailand that most strictly holds the original monastic rules of discipline laid down by the buddha. Walking meditation and the thai forest tradition by oli cheadle the thai forest tradition saw a revival in the 20th century and marked a movement away from the emphasis upon debate and the study of scriptures which had come to characterise buddhism in thailand prior to this. The traditional rainyseason retreat vassa begins on the next day. The thai forest tradition originated in thailand, primarily among the laospeaking. May 15, 2017 welcome metta forest monastery is a meditation monastery in the lineage of the thai forest tradition. Outside visitors will not be allowed to participate in the alms round or offer cooked food to the monks until further notice. Birken forest buddhist monastery birken is a canadian theravada buddhist monastery in the thai forest tradition of ajahn chah. Maha nikaya and dhammayuttika nikaya are the two major monastic orders in thailand that have forest traditions.
This compilation features extra two talks given by renown thai meditation master luang por kham, who was kindly invited by ajahn kalyano to partake in the annual kathina ceremony at bodhivana. After expressing an interest in buddhism, the gentleman attended a tenday retreat at the oaken holt buddhist center near oxford after which he. A true forest dweller, ajaan sao left no written records of his teachings. About western sangha purpose a typical day origins of abhayagiri thai forest tradition ajahn chah western sangha construction.
He traveled to thailand and burma and spent two years training as a monk first in the thai forest tradition, the mahasi vipassana and then jhanaconcentation training with the ven. Website with numerous links to theravadin buddhist wisdom deriving from the thai forest tradition of ajahns sao, mun, and chah among others. The pacific hermitage thai forest tradition needs subscribers to live stream their retreats. Like amaravati, aruna ratnagiri is in the lineage of the thai forest tradition of theravada buddhism. Teach na tuisceana house of understanding meditation in the tradition of thai forest master ajahn chah. Those interested in monastic training, residential retreats or staying overnight in a. Meditation in the tradition of thai forest master ajahn chah. Sao kantasilo, phra ajaan 18611941 ajaan sao and his student ajaan mun established the kammatthana tradition. We are primarily devoted to the teaching of vipassana or insight meditation, particularly as taught in the thai forest tradition of theravada buddhism.
Talks given during the retreat led by luang por sumedho from 12 to 19 may 2017 at amaravati buddhist monastery, uk. Forest sanghas newsletter the forest sangha is a worldwide buddhist community in the thai forest tradition of ajahn chah. The thai forest tradition is a tradition of buddhist monasticism within thai theravada buddhism. Twoday retreat with ajahn vajiro in bangkok 1112 jan. Buddha bodhivana monastery a buddhist monastery in the.
Founded in 1990 by ajaan suwat suvaco, it has been under the direction of thanissaro bhikkhu. The community established a weekly meeting for meditation practice and dhamma discussion, and continued to invite ajahn viradhammo to teach annual residential nineday retreats. He returned to thailand in 1996, and died in buriram on april 5, 2002 after a long illness. Mae hong son tam wua forest monastery in the thai forest monastery tradition, retreatants follow the daily schedule of meditations. Born in canada, with training in both the sri lankan and thai forest traditions, ajahn.
This is a rare opportunity to receive extensive teachings from a master in the thai forest. About thai forest tradition since the time of the buddha, monks have retreated into the depths of the forests and mountains, seeking physical isolation to aid them in the development of meditation and realization of the truth of the buddhas teaching. Meditation retreat in the thai forest tradition dharma seed. Come friends, let us share questions, answers, and stories. In the 1980s ajaan suwat came to the united states, where he established four monasteries. The monks are grateful and touched by all of your support and concerns. There will be long periods of instruction and guided meditation, alternating with shorter periods of silent sitting and walking meditation. Adas ten day retreat at a thai forest tradition monastery. After completing 3 year retreat he was requested by his tibetan teachers to return to the us and teach buddhism in the west. Whatever you experience will become an object for contemplation. With gratitude from all at sunnataram forest monastery, bundanoon. Amaravati retreat 2017 ajahn sumedho on apple podcasts.
I got there by taking a bus from chiang mai it is at a special stop by the river. Thai buddhist meditation thai forest meditation tradition. Where to do a buddhist meditation retreat in thailand. Thai buddhist monastery 147kms from sydney duration. I was a buddhist monk of the thai theravadanforest tradition. Though the community eats its single meal of the day communally around 7. Thai forest tradition khao tham insight meditation center. Yes, i have stayed at such monasteries a number of times. In thai forest tradition monastery, it is generally no. A jahn jamnian seelasettho also spelled as ajahn jumnien, ajahn jumnian, ajahn jamnean, or ajahn jumnean is a remarkable buddhist monk in the theravada tradition and is highly revered throughout thailand for his vipassana insight meditation practice teachings and his metta radiant loving kindness. Also known as the forest monk tradition and the kammatthana forest tradition of thailand, the thai forest tradition emphasizes insight from meditation rather than studying the pali canon, or foundational scriptures of theravada, as the means of realizing enlightenment or. Jun 11, 2015 wat pa sak thong practices in the thai forest tradition, which emphasizes meditation even over study.
The newsletter contains news, views, articles, transcribed talks, poems, tutorials, contact addresses, forthcoming events, retreat schedules, etc. Strictly speaking, the forest tradition of ajahn chah denotes the institutions who have a branch affiliation with wat pah pong, the administrative center of the organization. Strictly speaking, the forest tradition of ajahn chah denotes the institutions who have a branch affiliation with wat. The forest tradition of ajahn chah is a mahanikai monastic organization in the thai forest tradition composed of the students of ajahn chah subhatto. Ajahn jamnian ajahn jumnien retreatajahn jamnian jumnien. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, you are advised to keep yourself in one place and minimise contact with others. The theravada bhikkhu sangha in united states of america. It is a quite beautiful, wordless slideshow with an excellent musical soundtrack 1. Ajahn jamnian also spelled ajahn jumnien, ajahn jumnian, or ajahn jumean is a theravada thai buddhist monk and dhamma teacher in the thai forest tradition. Collected dhamma talks given by venerable ajahn kalyano to the monastic and lay community at buddha bodhivana monastery mostly during the rains retreat. As the teachers of the thai forest tradition stress, in monastic life, qualities like. Ajahn chah 19181992 was a central person in the popularisation of the thai forest tradition in the west. Revitalised by the late ajahn mun, hallmarks of this austere tradition include living in the forest, using the human body as a meditation subject, and maintaining mindfulness throughout. Includes talks by other elders from the thai forest tradition.
Fourth street marathon, wi 54448 ayya medhanandi is a theravada bhikkuni in the thai forest tradition and the founder and abbess at sati saraniya monastery in canada. Metta forest monastery is a meditation monastery in the lineage of the thai forest tradition. The thai forest tradition is a lineage of pali tradition also known as theravada buddhist monasticism, with emphasis of the ideas that the mind precedes the world, the buddhist path is a training regimen for the mind, and the objective is to reach proficiency in a diverse range of both meditative techniques and aspects of conduct. Ajahn chah 19181992 as a branch monastery, close to his own traditional forest monastery, wat nong pah pong, in ubon rachathani province. A cabin kuti, and food is provided only fruit juice for dinner. Since the forest tradition had gained significant pull from the royal and elite support in bangkok, the thai forestry bureau decided to deed large tracts of forested land to forest monasteries, knowing that the forest monks would preserve the land as a habitat for buddhist practice. He has lived in the usa for the last ten years, but for the 40 years before that he spent most of his time training in the forests of thailand under some of the most respected teachers of the thai forest tradition. I was told that in order to obtain a meditation visa, i have to obtain some sort of sponsor. Our roots in the thai forest traditionabhayagiri 2014 winter retreat dvd abhayagiri sangha this mp3 dvd contains readings by the abhayagiri community from twentyfive different thai forest teachers with reflections and commentary by ajahn pasanno in response to the communitys questions. The thai forest tradition is one branch of the theravada buddhist tradition. The surrounding countryside, much of it forest inhabited by wild deer, makes for a truly serene backdrop.
Discover more than 100 free guided theravada meditation practices and experience the tradition of thai forest. Formal meditation implies that meditation is the main activity, for example walking or sitting meditation. In the following month, lay people may offer the kathinarobe as part of a general almsgiving ceremony. Buddhist meditation retreat north east thailand youtube. Walking meditation and the thai forest tradition mindful. It serves as a portal to an association of branch monasteries of wat pah pong in ne thailand. Bangkok vipassana retreat bvr together with the little bangkok sangha is offering a rare opportunity for both new and experienced meditators to engage in two days of intensive, retreat style practice in the heart of bangkok with ajahn vajiro, a senior monastic in the thai forest tradition of ajahn chah. Chris crotty is a buddhist teacher, pastoral counselor, and adjunct professor in alternative medicine.
Thudong monks buddhist wisdom of the thai forest tradition. The thai forest tradition is a branch of theravada buddhism that follows the buddhas original monastic rules of discipline. Lets foster todays thai forest tradition lions roar. The forest tradition also most strongly emphasizes meditative practice and the realization of enlightenment as the focus of monastic life. Tbcs primary vision was the establishment of a theravada monastery in the thai forest tradition of ajahn chah. Also known by its pali name, sitavana translated as cool forest grove, the monastery provides a peaceful forest refuge for monastics and lay people who are seeking to deepen their understanding. Wat pa luang phor mun, chiang mai wat pa luang phor mun is located near chiang mai, thailand. Many of the monasteries in isaan fall under the thai forest tradition, in which monastics aim to live as closely to how the buddha lived as possible. It is always great to learn about various meditation traditions from around the world, and today i would like to present the following guest post from axel on the excellent thai buddhist forest tradition. The forest tradition of ajahn chah is a mahanikai monastic organization in the thai forest. Magnolia grove monastery is a place to practice meditation and mindfulness.
Abhayagiri monastery is the first monastery in the united states to be established by followers of ajahn chah, a respected buddhist master of the ancient thai forest tradition of theravada. Senior monks and visiting nuns regularly lead formal meditation retreats at the monastery. Michael is a leading teacher in buddhism and has created retreat centers as compassionate spaces of spiritual practice, contemplation and community across colorado, florida and california. Has anyone stayed at a buddhist monastery in the thai. Wat pa sak thong practices in the thai forest tradition, which emphasizes meditation even over study. Dec 22, 2018 to the teachings of ajahn mun, ajahn maha boowa and other great masters from the thai forest tradition who had inspired and change my life forever. During such wanderings, monks sleep wherever is available and eat only what is offered by lay people along the way. Thai forest tradition thai forest tradition the thai forest tradition is a lineage of pali tradition also known as theravada buddhist monasticism, with emphasis of the ideas that the mind precedes the world, the buddhist path is a training regimen for the mind, and the objective is to reach proficiency in a diverse range of both meditative techniques and aspects of conduct. We have received many phone calls and emails from many monks and nuns, supporters and retreat friends.
Ajahn jamnian teaches in a unique style teaching drawing directly from the suttas the teachings of the buddha and giving practical examples from his personal experience. I was a buddhist monk of the thai theravadanforest. Listen online to 96 free guided meditations, talks and music on thai forest meditation. The 10 most idyllic meditation retreats in the uk aligned. Ajahn suwat suvaco, a thai monk with 50 years in the robes. He only spent one weekend with ajaan mun, but had teachers within the mahanikai who had more exposure to ajaan mun. I was a buddhist monk of the thai theravadanforest tradition who was at the first joint theravadan bhikkhuninun ordination in the west. Practitioners inhabit remote wilderness and forest dwellings as spiritual practice training grounds.
While informal meditation refers to being mindful during daily activities such as. They also engage in a practice known as tudong thai. Monasteries under thai forest tradition usually is different from a vipassana retreat. In contrast to most members of the forest tradition he was not a dhammayut monk, but a mahanikai monk. The formal retreats are very wellpriced although places do fill quickly. We do not offer private meditation teachings or retreats and courses in. About ajahn jamnian ajahn jumnien ajahn jamnian jumnien.
This forest sangha website integrates the two previously separate sites. Thai forest monastery bundanoon, offering a meditation. I spent time at abhayagiri, us and thai templesmonasteries. Magnolia grove meditation practice center a 120acre buddhist monastery in rural batesville northern mississippi near memphis and arkansas in the tradition of vietnamese master thich nhat hanh, magnolia village is open to visitors for retreats please visit their website to learn more and to register in advance. Has anyone stayed at a buddhist monastery in the thai forest. Due to the coronavirus, the monastery is temporarily closed to both day visitors and overnight visitors. In thai forest tradition monastery, it is generally not so regimented for. Buddhist meditation retreat north east thailand wolf price. With the happiest monks and jawdropping scenery, this buddhist monastery is a great place to learn how to meditate for the first time or continue to deepen your mindfulness meditation practice. Thai forest tradition chinese buddhist encyclopedia. The nuns handle most of the domestic chores at the wat, but. Amaravati buddhist monastery of theravadan thai forest tradition in the uk, from the lineage of ajahn chah and founded by ajahn sumedho. This meditation retreat is held in the thai forest tradition.