Thai Meditation Retreats

All meditation retreats at Wat Luang Phor Sodh, except for international retreats, have basically the same daily schedule, though depending on the group to which one is assigned the difficulties of dhamma taught and the period of meditation will vary:

Daily lectures are given by renowned Dhamma teachers who are invited to come to the temple to speak. Meditation instruction can also be given in English by the abbot and by English speaking monks when available. Both visitors and residents will sleep in the Dhutanga-tradition under a special umbrella with mosquito-net called a KLOD [Klod]. They will stay in the parklands about the monastery grounds, in close contact with nature and trees, helping calm the mind which is very helpful for their meditation. The Lord Buddha taught many times, "There are these forests, these roots of trees. Meditate now, lest you regret it later." 

1. Meditation Master Trainings

Wat Luang Phor Sodh has been selected as the National Coordination Center of Provincial Meditation Institutes of Thailand (Elected by the Directors of Provincial Meditation Institutes from all over the country at a Seminar and Practicum organized by the National Buddhist Office 23-25 April 2008 at Wat Yanawa, Bangkok, and recognized by the Sangha Body).

Each year, the Wat has two two-week courses, May and December 15-28 and expects to train over 700 monks over the course of the year. 

2. Bi-annual Meditation Retreats

The 2 main retreats for Thai-speakers take place May 1-14 and December 1-14.

The December retreat is the busiest with around 1,200 practitioners (400-600 monks and novices, and the rest nuns and lay-people), while the May retreat attracts around 600-700 participants. The retreats are open to all people, the laity taking the opportunity to undertake the 8 training precepts and practice along side the Sangha.

Note: At the end of the retreats # 1 and 2, all participants will receive a diploma, by either the abbot of Wat Paknam or the abbot of Wat Saket

3. Meditation Retreats for Students

Wat Luang Phor Sodh has been appointed as the Center for Development of Virtues and Ethics for the Security of the Nation, Religion and Monarchy in the central region. All Thai schools are required to develop ethical programs for their students, and so each year there are over 15,000 students who come to practice meditation on weekends (Fri, Sat and Sun).

4. Special Meditation Retreats

Specially requested retreats are held for groups of employees of the government, private organizations, institutes or associations are held throughout the year.

5. Hot Season Ordination

The Middle of March is the major school break, and it is custom in Thailand that young boys spend part of their school holidays as novices at a monastery. Many boys like the idea so much that they return to the same monastery year after year. April 1-18 is Hot Season Ordination for boys between the ages of 10 and 18. It is required that they come to the Wat at least 7 days in advance of their ordination to receive orientation. Please check the schedule in the calendar section. If you have any questions, please email us at bmi@dhammacenter.org for English and info@dhammakaya.org for Thai.