Wat Chok Chai (วัดโชคชัย—Doi Saket)

This tiny village monastery initially strikes one as a deserted outpost out in the country. Walking around the property, I felt a bit like I was visiting a ghost town, as the property was sparsely developed, seemingly devoid of habitation, and hardly a sound was heard. Then, finally, I spotted a lone monk sweeping in the shadows. I approached to engage him and quickly learned that his English was less developed than my substandard Thai, so our ensuing exchange was brief and minimally fruitful. After I departed, I reflected a bit on the beauty of such quiet simplicity. Indeed, such a place of peaceful isolation must be conducive to concentration and inner development.

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Wat Phra That Doi Saket (วัดดอยสะเก็ด—Doi Saket)

Beautiful Wat Phra That Doi Saket sits atop a longish hill overlooking the village of Doi Saket. From the center of town, a steep staircase leads to the monastery and its many buildings. A number of noteworthy features dot the sprawling monastery property, not the least of which are the many gorgeous murals inside the main Dhamma hall. Wandering the property, one will also encounter many shady spots to practice meditation, enjoy the panoramic views, or simply reflect upon one’s experience in being there.

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Chitta Bhawanaram Forest Monastery (วัดป่าจิตตภาวนาราม—Doi Saket)

This newly built (only five months old) Dhammayut monastery is fresh and glowing, and its buildings (mostly a Dhamma hall and several kutis) are quite attractively designed. 

Speaking with one of the monks about returning for practice, I was kindly invited to stay in one of the kutis. He said I was welcome to practice around the property, then with a smile he gestured toward a mysterious wooded area behind one of the kutis and said, “And we have a cremation ground.”

After a few minutes of chatting, I thanked him for his offer then wandered off to explore the cremation ground, for I might be interested in practicing there—perhaps on the next full moon night. After all, one of the 13 ascetic practices allowed by the Buddha is living in or near a cremation ground.

Indeed, as one passes between two kutis, goes through a gate, then walks down a narrow, quiet road into a nearby forest, one might first notice some wooden grave markers on the left, then maybe some tombstones on the right, then in the near distance, through the trees, is the cremation chamber—a somewhat impressive structure with a large iron door stained by soot. I must admit that even in the daytime I felt a tinge of discomfort—perhaps all the more reason to come back on the full moon.

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Suddhajit Bhikkhuni Arama (อารามภิกษุณีสุทธจิตต์—Doi Saket)

This beautiful property is home to 17 bhikkhuni (female monks) and 10 samaneri (female novices)—ordained in Sri Lanka. Their warm presence immediately made us feel welcome. We were given a tour of the facility,  invited to come anytime for meditation or a meal, encouraged to volunteer, and I even got to spend a few minutes doing walking meditation on a lovely path around a large Bodhi tree.

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Wat Marn (วัดม่อน—Doi Saket)

This rustic, little monastery displayed its special beauty about five minutes after we located and then started chatting with the abbot. Not only does he teach his many novices English, but he also teaches them an impressive variety of arts and skills that may prove useful to them in life—for example, metal shaping (for monastery decorations); making hand drums and gongs/bells; making clay bricks for construction projects; and perhaps most impressively, building houses to give to poor families!

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Today’s Retreat

Today we were again honored to welcome our friends Kate, Natalie and Sujan to host a meditation retreat at ABMT. During the 8-hour retreat, participants practiced a variety of mindfulness-based activities, such as sitting and walking meditation, a sound healing, learning about Ayurvedic healing, and offering alms to the monks. Many community members joined the retreat participants for the alms offering.

The alms offering component of the program goes back to the time of the Buddha. Even today, in countries like Thailand, Buddhist monks go on daily alms round to receive food offerings from the community. It is important to recognize that the giving of alms is above all an act of generosity. Participants were encouraged to bring a small dish (or perhaps some fruit or other ready-to-eat food items) to ceremonially offer into the alms bowls of the two monks as they came by to receive it. This gesture, when carried out mindfully and with a heart of giving, allows one to begin to let go of greed.

Thank you, Kate, Natalie and Sujan, for another beautiful, heartfelt offering.

The next few retreats will be held on:

-Thursday, September 26 (morning; half-day)

-Thursday, October 24 (morning; half-day)

-Saturday, October 26 (full-day).

If you’re interested in attending these (and other) upcoming events, please check the ‘Events’ page on our website (www.abuddhisttemple.org) for an up-to-date schedule.

Please consider joining our MeetUp group as well.

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Wat Wang Tan (Doi Saket)

Wat Wang Tan is a young monastery on the outskirts of the village of Doi Saket. Currently, it houses three monks and about 15 novices. Near the entrance to the property, one encounters a sign proclaiming some of the history of the area, including the foundation of the temple. One of the interesting points recorded is that about 100 years ago – long before the establishment of the monastery – the area surrounding the present day monastery was lush jungle teeming with tigers, bears, and pythons. The local villagers, it says, were quite afraid of these animals and would close up their homes each evening and not come outside until daybreak. Around 1965, a dam was built nearby, dramatically altering the local ecology, leading to a much drier wildlife habitat and eradicating many animal species, including the tigers, bears, and pythons that used to thrive in that environment.

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Wat Chomtong (Chiang Mai)

Today I was fortunate enough to accompany Ajahn Saen, Phra Ake and Vii to Wat Chomtong (วัดจอมทอง) for the second day of the 5-day celebration of Luang Pu Tong’s 96th birthday. Six hundred monks were invited for each of the five days—for a total of 3,000 monks attending. Far more lay people also attended.

I learned and experienced many things during the celebration of the revered meditation teacher. What most resonates with me is that perhaps as a part and/or a result of his long-term deep meditation practice, Luang Pu eats only 16 bites of food as his only meal each day.

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Wat Chedi Luang (Chiang Mai)

This is a photo of the large, royal stupa at Wat Chedi Luang. In 1468, the famed Emerald Buddha was installed in the eastern niche of the stupa. It was later moved. Today, the Emerald Buddha is at Wat Phra Kaew in Bangkok.

There is an interesting anecdote about the time when the revered Forest Tradition founder and master Luang Pu Mun was staying at Wat Chedi Luang: Upon hearing that the authorities were about to appoint him abbot of the temple, he promptly packed up his few belongings and disappeared from Chiang Mai for the next 11 years.

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Wat Phra Singh (Chiang Mai)

Wat Phra Singh is named after the famous (and historically-interesting and -mysterious) Buddha image pictured here. Conveniently located in central Chiang Mai, this beautiful temple is a popular place for tourists and Thais alike to visit.

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Wat King Kaew (Bangkok)

Wat King Kaew (วัดกิ่งเเก้ว) is a large-ish temple complex near the airport. Although the temple buildings dotting the grounds are numerous, even more numerous are the wandering feral dogs, domesticated pigs, horses, peacocks, a giant lizard, and even a buffalo. (An online source referenced this temple as “Zoo Temple.”) Both the monks and nuns were conspicuously active as they carried on with their daily tasks around the monastery grounds.

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Tōdaiji & Nara (Deer) Park

As one passes through the streets of Nara on the approach to the celebrated Tōdaiji temple, one begins to notice—first here, then there—an ever-increasing population of deer relaxing and littering lawns and streets, parks, and perhaps even the interiors of certain stores. As one reaches the beautiful deer park at the foot of the great temple, the deer seem almost as populous as people. And they appear every bit as tame. Stand still for too long and chances are good that you’ll catch one nosing into your pants pocket in search of food.

But alas, beyond the gauntlet of fauna is Tōdaiji, and its most breathtaking feature—a massive bronze Buddha image, several stories tall, said to be the largest in the world. His raised right hand is as tall as a human being, and his head is some 20’ tall. Impressive in scale and beauty.

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Seiganji Temple (Kyoto)

This is the principle image in the main hall of Seiganji Temple. The image is perhaps 15 feet tall. This temple is easily accessed in the midst of Shinkyogoku Shopping Street, has no entrance fee, and is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. This Jodo sect temple was founded in the 6-8th century.

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