Meditation

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Meditation is found in some form or another in all major religious traditions, but in Buddhism it is integral to the path to enlightenment. The practitioner trains his or her mind so that it can understand the four-points that form the core of the Buddha's teachings: suffering, what causes it, the end of suffering, and the path to that end.

Consequently, the art of meditation is a highly developed one in Thailand. One doesn't need to be a Buddhist, or even be interested in Buddhism, to benefit from meditation. A valuable training that can be applied to daily life, it greatly helps concentration and can lead to a state of peace and calmness, no matter where the meditation is performed.

There are two main branches in Buddhist meditation: samatha (calmness, concentration) and vipassana (insight), which stresses mindfulness.

The techniques of samatha meditation are many, some of them older than Buddhism itself. Amongst the most commonly practised in Thailand is anapanasati, or "mindfulness with breathing". Mantra meditation, in which given words are repeated over and over to help focus the mind, is also widely practised. Kasinas, where meditators concentrate on an object outside themselves, such as a crystal ball or a candle flame, is yet another form.

Sati, or mindfulness, is the key to Vipassana meditation. When the mind is untrained it is wide open to outside disturbances, and the objective is to be aware of what happens but not dwell upon it. So you train yourself to be aware of the body's movement, the rise and fall of the chest as you inhale and exhale, the movement of the legs and feet as you walk, and your feelings and state of mind. Walking, sitting and lying meditation are a few of the Vipassana techniques, and to avoid distractions as far as possible the retreats are usually held in isolated and peaceful surroundings.

Meditation teachings are widely available in Thailand for Thais and visitors alike, ranging from English language day classes in Bangkok through to intensive month-long Vipassana courses at remote retreats in the provinces.

WHERE TO GO

IBMC (International Buddhist Meditation Centre)
Vipassana Section, Mahachulalongkornrajvidyalaya University, Room No. 16, Wat Mahathat, Tha Prachan, Bangkok 10200
Tel: 0 2623 6326, 0 2866 0170
Meditation instruction in English or Thai by venerable monks Irom Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University. Lectures and talks on Insight Meditation held on the final Saturday of evety month from 3 pm-5 pm. Weekend retreats and eight-day retreats in English are occasionally held at conducive locations upcountry. Duty officers provide general information on Insight Meditation to foreigners.

Wat Mahathat
Section Five, Wat Mahathat,
Tha Prachan, Bangkok 10200
Tel: 0 2222 6011, 0 2222 4981, 026235325,026235613. Fax: 0 2222 4981
Morning chanting, group walking and sitting practice for meditators who either stay in dormitories or come in during the day. Instruction in Thai, though English instruction can be arranged. Meditation time: 7 am-1 0 am, 1 pm-4 pm, 6 pm-B pm.

Mathra House of Culture & Meditation
94/1 Lat Phrao 83, Bang Kapi, Bangkok 10310
Tel: 0 2538 4212. Fax: 0 2538 8510 mathura@inet.co.th
www.meditationhouse.com
House in its own landscaped grounds designed specifically for the full rest of body and mind through Samathi meditation which can be applied to evetyday life.

World Fellowship of Buddhists
616 Benjasiri Park, Sukhumvit Road,
Bangkok 10110
Tel: 02661 1284-89. Fax: 02661 0555 wfb_hq@asianet.co.th
www.wfb_hq.org
Dhamma talk in the morning on the first Sunday of evety month. Monks from Wat Pah Nanachart are occasionally invited to lecture on the Anapanasati approach.

House of Dhamma (Vipassana)
Insight Meditation Centre
26/9 Soi 15, Lat Phrao Road, Bangkok 10900
Tel: 0 2511 0439. Fax: 0 2512 6083
Part of the International Buddhist Meditation Centre of Wat Mahathat. Sunday meditation classes from 2 pm-5 pm on the second, third and fourth Sundays of the month. One-day retreats also held at the centre. There are weekend retreats and occasional eight-day retreats. All are conducted in English

Boonkanjanaram Meditation Centre
Pattaya, Chon Buri 20260
Tel: 0 3823 1865
Vipassana, based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness: body, feeling, mind or mind object.

Vivek Asom Vipassana Meditation Centre
Ban Suan, Muang District, Chon Buri 20000
Tel: 0 3828 3766
Vipassana practice based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as taught by Mahasri Sayadaw. Meditators practice in meditation halls or cottages according to their own individual schedules and are encouraged to practice for 20 hours a day.

Sorn-Thawee Meditation Centre
80 Moo 3, Samet Nua, Bang Khla,
Chachoengsao 24110
Tel: 03854 1405
The venerable abbot teaches the Four Foundations of Mindfulness based on the methods taught by Mahasri Sayadaw. The day is spent in or near your meditation cottage doing intensive individual practice.

Suan Mokkh Forest Monastery
68/1 Lamet Sub-district, Chaiya District,
SuratThani 84110
Tel: 0 7743 1596 -7. Fax: 0 7743 1597 santikaro@suanmokkh.org
www.suanmokkh.org
Ten-day meditation retreats in English at the International Dharma Hermitage at the beginning of evety month. Participants are asked to pay 1,200 baht for their ten-day stay.

Wat Khao Tham International Meditation Centre
Wat Khao Tham, Ko Pha-ngan,
SuratThani 84280
This centre offers regular ten-day retreats and longer retreats for experienced meditators. Vipassana is taught based on the methods of Mahasri Sayadaw. Dhamma talks are given morning and evening.

Wat Pah Nanachart
Ban Bung Wai, Warin District,
Ubon Ratchathani 34310
Mindfulness of breathing or anapanasati forms the basis for most formal meditation. Daily routine: Group meetings and work periods have equal importance to formal meditation. The monastery can only accommodate a small number of guests.