CENTRAL THAILAND - 1
WAT PHRA DHAMMAKAYA
MEANING OF NAME: "Temple of the respected body of the Dhamma"
ADDRESS: Khlong Sam, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani 12120
DIRECTIONS: Located 40 km north of Bangkok in neighboring Pathum Thani Province. On Sundays and major Buddhist holidays, the best times to visit, free chartered buses to the temple depart from near the Victory Monument in Bangkok between 7 and 8 a.m.; the buses won't likely have English signs, so look for passengers dressed in white clothing. Temple buses depart for the return to the Victory Monument between 3:30 to 5 or 6 p.m. By public bus, go to Rangsit (buses include air-conditioned #3, 4, 10, 13, 29, and 39; non-air include #29, 34, 39, 59, and 95). From the market area in Rangsit (one block south of the main bus stop), take a bus #1008 to the temple.
TELEPHONE: (02) 516-9003 to 516-9009
MEDITATION SYSTEM: Dhammakaya meditation in the tradition taught at Wat Pak Nam. The system is said to be an efficient way to purify the mind. One begins by bringing the attention to a point in the center of the body. A crystal ball or Buddha image is visualized as a //nimitta// (mental image); a mantra such as "Samma Araham" or "Buddho" can be used to further reduce mental chatter. As the mind becomes clearer, the wisdom inherent in the mind will manifest itself. It is this wisdom that's called "Dhammakaya."
TEACHING METHOD: Teachers give instruction in Thai during meditation periods. Some monks can also give instruction in English. A cassette tape sold at the Information Centre has fairly complete instructions in English; literature is available too. Meditators write down their experiences daily for the abbot, who makes comments for progress.
TEACHERS: Ven. Dhammajayo Bhikkhu, abbot (Thai; age 47)
Ven. Dattajeevo Bhikkhu, vice abbot (Thai; age 50)
LANGUAGE: The vice abbot speaks some English. Some teaching monks speak good English and one speaks Mandarin Chinese.
DESCRIPTION: The central area has beautifully landscaped parklands of lakes, trees, and grass; the //bot//, Information Centre, and monks' residences are here. Group meetings take place in large pavilions or in the open air. Vast areas to the west host major gatherings. Total area is 2,500 rai (1,000 acres).
SIZE: monks: 130-200; novices: about 200; resident laymen: about 90; resident nuns and laywomen: about 160; visiting laypeople during week: about 150; visiting laypeople on regular Sundays: about 2000; visiting laypeople on first Sun. of month: about 8000; visiting laypeople on major Buddhist holidays (Magha Puja, Vesaka Puja, and Kathina): about 40,000
DAILY ROUTINE: 4:30 a.m. begin day; 5-6:30 a.m. morning chanting and meditation session 1; 6:30 a.m. give alms to monks or help clean temple grounds; 7 a.m. breakfast; 9-11 a.m. meditation session 2; 11 a.m. main meal; 1-4 p.m. Dhamma talk and meditation session 3; 4:30 p.m. drinks; 6:30 p.m. evening chanting; 9 p.m. meditation session 4; 9:30 p.m. sleep.
FOOD: Good quality and variety supplied by temple. Meditators and laypeople eat twice a day in morning. Monks and novices go on pindabat within the temple; laypeople can bring food or purchase it in the temple to offer. Drinks are supplied in the afternoon.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Very simple. Meditators stay in palm-thatch housing or sleep in the open in the //dhutanga// tradition with a //klod// (special umbrella with mosquito net). Men and women live in separate areas.
WRITE IN ADVANCE?: Recommended. Best is to make a day trip on a Sunday. You can talk with people and determine if you'd like to apply to join a retreat group.
ORDINATION: Can be requested. One must speak fluent Thai.
OTHER INFORMATION: The Information Centre has a series of short English videos, shown on request, that introduce the aims and way of life at Wat Phra Dhammakaya. Books (also one in Chinese), a meditation tape, videos, and the newsletter "The Light of Peace" are available in English. Many Thai publications have been produced. A small library has some English books.
The very dynamic and outgoing style of Buddhism practiced here makes the temple unique in Thailand. (The emphasis on fund-raising and attracting large numbers of followers resembles the style of evangelical Christian churches.) Sundays are "open days" at the temple, the best time to visit; members make a special effort to attend on the first Sunday of the month. Most major cities in Thailand have a branch meditation centre; Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok also have retreat centres.
Only group practice is offered here -- you cannot come and do an individual retreat. Visit (best) or write ahead for information on suitable dates that you can join a group. Laypeople follow 8 precepts and wear white clothing.
WEBSITE: http://www.dhammakaya.or.th/
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Bitte machen Sie sich Ihr eigenes Bild von der aktuellen Kontroverse um den Phra Dhammakaya Tempel.
Die Bangkok Post hatte einmal spezielle Seiten dazu eingerichtet, die heute (getestet: Juli 2004) leider nicht mehr erreichbar sind. Aber bei den beiden folgenden Links gibts noch etwas dazu zu lesen:
http://www.malaysia.net/lists/sangkancil/2000-03/msg00611.html
Sect Spurs Crisis in Thai Buddhism
WAT ASOKARAM
MEANING OF NAME: "Monastery of no sorrow"
ADDRESS: Sukumvit Road, Samut Prakan 10280
DIRECTIONS: Located 32 km south of Bangkok off Hwy. 3. Many city buses in Bangkok (including air-conditioned #7 and 8, and non-air #25, 142, 145) go to Samut Prakan; from here you can take either of 2 local buses or a taxi 6 km farther to the temple. Some buses between Bangkok's Eastern (Ekamai) Bus Terminal and Chonburi go via Samut Prakan; ask to be let off at Wat Asokaram (between KM 31 and 32 posts on Hwy. 3), then walk or take a samlor about 1 km south. You can see the spires and multi-tiered roof of the viharn from the highway. (People often use the name "Pak Nam" for Samut Prakan.)
TELEPHONE: (02) 395-0003
MEDITATION SYSTEM: Anapanasati is the main technique taught, though meditators are free to choose their own techniques.
TEACHING METHOD: Discourses are given each evening. (Meditation practice receives much emphasis in the Dhamma talks.) Teachers are available for questions.
TEACHERS: Ajahn Tong (Phra Khru Suvandhammachote), abbot (Thai;age 58)
Other senior monks assist.
Phra Ajahn Bunku Anuvathano (Thai; age 62) speaks good English.
LANGUAGE: A few monks and nuns can speak English; the abbot does not.
DESCRIPTION: Rural setting on the coast; 120 rai (50 acres). Many species of birds, some nesting, inhabit the trees on shore and on the tidal flats. Lots of crabs, mud skippers, snakes, and mosquitos live here too. Fairly quiet (except for the birds). Main buildings, such as the //viharn// (main hall), //chedi// (stupa), //bot// (uposatha hall), women's chanting hall, and kitchen are on the shore; most //kutis// (huts) sit atop pilings out over the tidal flats. The magnificent viharn contains a large Buddha image, paintings, and carved wooden doors; large group meetings and monks' chanting take place in the main (upper) hall, smaller meetings are held on the middle level, and the monks' eating area is on the lower level.
SIZE: monks: 90-140; novices: 10-15; nuns: about 130; laymen: about 15; laywomen: about 60
DAILY ROUTINE: About 7:15 a.m. pindabat; 8 a.m. the meal; 9:15 a.m. morning chanting; 4 p.m. afternoon chanting; 8-10 p.m. evening chanting, discourse, and meditation. On //wan phra// and day before and after, meditation is also held 3-5 p.m.
FOOD: Good quality and variety. Monks and novices have one meal in morning; nuns and laypeople eat once or twice in the morning. Monks and novices can go on pindabat inside or outside the temple; the kitchen and supporters supply most food.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Monks, novices, and laymen stay in kutis on the west side; nuns and laywomen have kutis on the east side. Most kutis have screens and a bathroom with running water (some western-, some Thai-style); all have electricity.
WRITE IN ADVANCE?: Not necessary. It's good to have a letter of recommendation, however.
ORDINATION: Men can request ordination, learn chanting and rules, then ordain as a monk. Women can similarly request ordination as a maechee.
OTHER INFORMATION: A temple built in ancient India by Emporer Asoka inspired the name of Wat Asokaram. Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo (1906-1961), a disciple of Ajahn Mun, founded the temple in 1955. At the request of lay followers, the uncremated remains of Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo have been kept in a coffin in the glassed-in shrine area upstairs in the viharn. A ceremony dedicated to the former abbot attracts many people to the wat on 24-26 April; teachers present discourses on mind training in the Ajahn Mun tradition.
Some of Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo's talks have been published in English and are available here by free distribution. A small library has some English books.
Two new books in English present wisdom from great teachers of the forest tradition: //The Autobiography of Phra Ajahn Lee// contains incidents from his life that provide both good reading and good lessons; 1992, 190 pages. //Awareness Itself: The Teachings of Ajaan Fuang Jotiko// contains short, to-the-point advice to guide students past the pitfalls of meditation practice; (Ajaan Fuang helped establish Wat Asokaram and was expected to become abbot after Ajaan Lee's death. Instead, he left and spend the last 15 years of his life at Wat Dhammasathit, a small, out-of-the-way place in the hills near Rayong); 1993, 77 pages. Phra Geoffrey Thanissaro translated and edited both books; they're available for free distribution.
Eight precepts and white clothing are recommended for long-term meditators.
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WIWEK ASOM - VIPASSANA MEDITATION CENTRE
MEANING OF NAME: "Quiet dwelling place"
ALSO SPELLED: Vivekasrom Vipassana Meditation Center
ADDRESS: Tambon Ban Suan, Amphoe Mueang, Chonburi 20000
DIRECTIONS: Located just outside Chonburi on the road to Ban Bung. Buses leave frequently from Bangkok's Eastern (Ekamai) Bus Terminal for the one-hour trip. Get off at Ban Bung intersection in Chonburi, then walk or take a samlor to the meditation centre.
TELEPHONE: (038) 283-766
MEDITATION SYSTEM: Vipassana based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as described in the Buddha's satipatthana suttas. The techniques of Mahasi Sayadaw are used. The meditator establishes concentration on the rise and fall of the abdomen; mental noting helps focus attention on bodily sensations and mind objects as they come into consciousness. Sitting periods alternate with walking.
TEACHING METHOD: Daily interviews with the teacher
TEACHERS: Phra Ajahn Asabha (Dhamma Chariya) (Burmese; age 79)
Phra Ajahn Charlee Jaruvanno (Thai; age 54)
Phra Ajahn Pramuan (Thai; age 60)
LANGUAGE: Phra Ajahn Asabha speaks only Thai and Burmese, but a translator can be arranged. The other teaching monks speak some English.
DESCRIPTION: Shaded, fairly quiet location on the edge of Chonburi. Simple, modern architecture. Kutis are fairly close together. Separate living and practice areas for men and women.
SIZE: monks: 30-60; novices: 3-7; nuns: 20-30; laypeople: 20-30
DAILY ROUTINE: Meditators practice in meditation halls or in rooms according to their own schedule. Continuity of practice is stressed. Everyone is encouraged to meditate 20 hours a day. One should avoid socializing, reading, and leaving the centre during one's stay.
FOOD: Very good quality and variety. Monks and novices go on pindabat, then eat mindfully in their kutis. Laypeople can eat in the kitchen or take food to their rooms. A simple breakfast is served early morning, then the main meal in late morning. Laypeople can arrange for food, including vegetarian, to be ordered from shops and delivered to the centre.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Individual rooms or kutis with screens, electricity, and Thai-style bathrooms with running water.
WRITE IN ADVANCE?: Recommended. All rooms may be occupied during the Rains Retreat and some other periods.
ORDINATION: Not available
OTHER INFORMATION: One should come with the intention of staying at least 2 weeks. Meditators follow the 8 precepts but may, if needed for health reasons, take food after mid-day. Phra Ajahn Asabha came to Thailand in 1953, after the Thai government extended an invitation to the Burmese government to send vipassana teachers.
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