Where to learn meditation (for foreigner) in Thailand?

Meditation is a beautiful present in our life. I have practiced, learned and utilized in my daily life. Today, I had the meditation class and one of my student is interested in learning more meditation in Thailand. 

Photo by www.dhammatoday.com

Why in Thailand? Because the majority of Thai population is Buddhist. Thailand is such a heaven on earth, this is not only its natural beauty but also its culture that embedded with Buddhism believes and practices. Every town, cities and many corner in the country you can fine Buddhist temples and most of temple have meditation teaching. However, most of them are in Thai. 

Photo by Aldo Pfeiffer

 

For this reason, I have searched the temples and places that have international meditation course for those who want to go to Thailand to learn meditation. I hope that this information will help you guys!

1. Suan Mokkh

At Suan Mokkh, there is the Ten Day Retreats at the International Dharma Hermitage of Suan Mokkh

Where is Suan Mokkh : Surat Thani Province in the south of Thailand.

More Info

2.  The International Buddhist Meditation Centre (I.B.M.C.)

The Vipassana Meditation Centre, Wat Mahadhatu (Section 5) offers a meditation class for English - speaking people everyday. The class begins in the morning at 7-10 a.m. afternoon from 1-4 p.m. and evening from 6-8 p.m.

This centre is located in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand

More Info

3.   Wat Pah Nanachat (The International Forest Monastery)

This monastery is situated in a small forest in the Northeast of Thailand about fifteen kilometres from the city of Ubon Ratchathani.

The attendants need some experience with meditation before coming to Wat Pah Nanachat, preferably a meditation retreat. 

A typical meditation retreat for beginners lasts about 10 days. Some good places to do a meditation retreat in Thailand are:

• Wat Suan Mokkh (Chaiya, Surat Thani 84110). (Meditation retreats are every first 10 days of the month, please arrive early on the last day of the previous month. No need to reserve or write in advance.) The meditation teaching is in the style of Ajahn Buddhadasa. Retreats last 10 days. www.suanmokkh.org
• Wat Khao Tham (Ko Pha-Ngan, Surat Thani 84280). Teachers: Steve and Rosemary Weismann. 10-day retreats for beginners. Retreats begin mid-month, usually around the 13th or 14th of each month. www.watkowtahm.org
• Thailand Vipassana Centre (1. Dhamma Kamala: 200 Baan Nerrnpasuk, Tambon Dongkeelek, Ampher Meuang, Prachinburi 25000 Tel/fax: 037-403515; e-mail: sutthi@ksc.th.com ; 2. Dhamma Kuta : c/o Mrs Pornphen Leenutaphong, 929 Rama I Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok; tel/fax: 02 - 216 4772 fax: 02 - 215 3408). These two centers offer 10 day retreats using the meditation technique of S. N. Goenka.
• Sorn-Thawee Meditation Centre (Bangkla, Chasoengsao 24110. Tel: 038-541405). The meditation teaching here is based on the technique of Mahasi Sayadaw. Visitors here are encouraged to do a 20-day retreat.
• Wat Ram Poeng (Tambon Suthep, Ampher Meuang, Chiang Mai 5000. Tel: 053-278620 e-mail: watrampoeng.hi5.com; watrampoeng@hotmail.com). The meditation teaching here is based on the technique of Mahasi Sayadaw. Retreats can be anything from 10 to 26 days depending on how long one wishes to stay.
• Wat Sanghathan (Bangphai, Muang, Nonthaburi 11000, Thailand, located just north of Bangkok). Tel: (02) 4471766 or 4470799; e-mail: vimokkha@hotmail.com; website: www.vimokkha.com. 7 day intensive Meditation Retreats are held at the "Khao Yai Saeng" Meditation Center, which is a branch of Wat Sanghathan in the "Khao Yai" National Park about 250 km northeast of Bangkok. Contact Wat Sanghathan for the address.

 More info on the course at Wat Pah Nanachat

Also you can find the good teaching book, MP3 and video in the website of Wat Nong Pah Pong