Dhamma garden meditation center preparations.

This weekend coming (Feb 4th-5th)we will be working down at the Wat Sri Boen Ruang International Buddhism Center’s Vipassana Retreat center(Dhamma Garden) getting it fixed up, ready to start receiving people who are interested in doing 10 day silent vipassana meditation retreats.
I am excited to see these retreats beginning and look forward to the opportunity to be able to guide people in their practice.
We are expecting our first guest on Feb 10 and hope this marks the beginning of a new place where people can come to practice.

Welcome to Jacqueline.

On behalf of Bhante Dr. Apisit, the monks, novices and lay devotees of Wat Sri Boen Ruang, it is my pleasure to welcome Jacqueline to the temple.
Jacqueline has joined the Wat Sri Boen Ruang International Buddhism Center Thai Temple Stay program, where she will learn Buddha Dhamma, vipassana meditation and some understanding of Thai culture.
I would like to wish her all the best.

What to do when thoughts arise during meditation.

Dhamma Garden Meditation Center F.A.Q.

FAQ
How much does a stay cost?

In keeping with the spirit of the Dhamma, the stay at Wat Sri Boen Ruang International Buddhism Center Vipassana retreat(Dhamma Garden) is donation based only.
Note: If you have paid or are intending to pay a fee to a third-party to come to practice at the Dhamma Garden meditation center, please be aware that the meditation center has no involvement with,or support any such activity and does not gain any financial benefit from such parties.

How long can is the course?

In order to get as much as you can out of the Vipassana meditation practice a minimum of 10 days would be of benefit. People can stay to do the 26 day course.
Shorter stays can also be arranged, depending on room availability.

Do I need to be a Buddhist?

No. Many people who come to Thailand are not buddhists, but wish to learn more about Vipassana meditation.

Will I need to prostrate before statues of Buddha?

Yes. In many asian countries prostrating, or holding the hands in a prayer like position is a sign of respect.
Prostrating before a statue of Buddha is not worship as may happen in other religions. It is purely an act of respect to the teacher and teaching of the Dhamma. It is not idol worship.

Why do I need to take precepts?

Precepts are a formal way to remind us about morality. It is normal practice in buddhist temples for people staying to take the precepts in the presence of a monk.

How can I not eat after midday?

This worries many people who are used to three meals a day. Most people find that it is not as hard as they think to give up eating later in the day.
People on medication that need to eat, either before or after their medication is taken, of course are exempted from this precept.

Will I have to shave my head?

Only if you are intending on ordaining as a Novice or a Mae Chi otherwise it is entirely up to you.

I have never meditated before. Will this be a problem?

No. The meditation sessions here are tailored so that a complete beginner can take part, guided by an english speaking monk from New Zealand. A daily meeting with your teacher will give you an opportunity to ask any questions you may have and also allow your teacher to assess your progress.

I do not know much about Buddhism. Will this be a problem?

Again, no. Dhamma talks will be given by an English monk. He will be more than happy to answer any questions about the teachings of Buddha that you may have.

How can I book a stay with you?

You can contact us directly by using the comments box below or use the contact us form. If a couple of weeks notice could be given, that would be helpful, however we may be able to fit someone in at shorter notice.

Can I practice Yoga, Thai Chi, etc while I am on the course?

No. We do not have any problem with people doing Yoga, Thai Chi etc, however, in order for you to get the most out of your Vipassana meditation teaching, we ask that you put aside other meditation techniques while you are here.

What do I need to bring?

Photocopy of information page of your passport and current visa.
Two sets of loose, modest, non-transparent white clothing.
An alarm clock and a countdown timer (for timing meditation sessions).
Toiletries, towels and personal items.

Please note that you use of mobile phones and laptops is not allowed during your stay at the Dhamma Garden Meditation Center.
We ask that you finish up all of your business and any travel arrangements that need to taken care of, before your arrival.
This is so that your time is spent on the practice.
For emergency contact we ask that you give your friends or family our email address.

Dhamma Garden Vipassana retreat daily schedule.

Day 1- Registration Day.
Meditators should arrive at the main temple between 9:00am and 14:00 pm for registration and orientation.

15:00- Going for refuge and taking 8 precepts.
This will be followed by a short talk and Vipassana meditation instruction.
(Noble silence begins here)
Meditators will now begin individual practice.
17:00- 1 hour group meditation. This will also involve a short talk by your teacher.
18:00- Individual practice.
20:00- 1 hour group meditation.
21:00- Evening chanting.
21:30- Sleep.

Daily Schedule
04:30- Wake up.
05:00- Morning chanting.
1 hour group meditation.
06:15- Individual practice.
Monks and novices- alms rounds.
08:00- Alms round in center- Breakfast, followed by free time and/ or individual practice.
09:00- 1 hour group meditation.
10:00- Individual practice.
11:00- Lunch, followed by free time and/or individual practice.
13:00- 1 hour group meditation.
14:00- Individual practice.
15:00- Reporting, followed by individual practice.
17:00- 1 hour group meditation.
18:00- Individual practice.
20:00-1 hour group meditation.*
21:00-Chanting.
21:30-Sleep.

Schedule- Day 10.

04:30-Wake up.
05:00-Chanting- Taking 5 precepts.
05:15-1 hour group meditation.
06:15-Individual practice.
Monks and novices- alms rounds.
08:00-Alms round in center- Breakfast.
08:30-Tidy rooms. Make sure you have all belongings and return keys to office.
Noble Silence ends- Noble Speech begins.
09:00-Monk Chat (Optional)

Please note that chanting and group meditation are compulsory.
Alms rounds for monks and novices is compulsary, unless there is good reason not to go.

*Every tuesday, thursday and saturday there will be a Dhamma talk at 20:00 hours.
Dhamma talks will also be held on Buddha days at 20:00 hours.

Vipassana retreat.

We are happy to announce that we have begun taking bookings for the Wat Sri Boen Ruang International Buddhism Center Vipassana retreats.
While we await funding to continue work at our new ” Dhamma Garden” meditation center we have decided to rebuild some of our old kutis at our original center for meditators to use.
Our vipassana meditation retreats are being run separately from our Thai temple stay program as they will be concentrating solely on the practice of vipassana meditation, and therefore will not involve going on pindabaat in the mornings(resident monks and novices will do pindabaat ) or any outings to various places.
All retreats are by donation only and we do not use third party tour operators or agents, so please do not give money to anyone claiming to be our representatives.
Anyone interested please feel free to contact either myself or Phra Fred for further information.
We are expecting our first guest early in february.
By this time we will have a few kutis (Huts) available.

A full day ahead.

Today will be another busy day here at Wat Sri Boen Ruang.
As this is the last full day for our school guests from America, we will be giving Dhamma talks, vipassana meditation lessons, and Bhante Dr. Apisit will give a talk on the history of the temple.
We will also visit the local kindergarden, that was built by the temple, a childrens playground and the exercise park that was payed for by Wat Sri Boen Ruang.
This is so that our Thai temple stay International Buddhism Center guests can see how the monks of the temple interact with the community.
They have been on pindabaat with us, and so see the generosity of the locals towards us monks, and although they understand that we in turn, teach the Dhamma to the local community,this will be an opportunity for them to see the social activity that we are involved.

First meditation lesson for some of our guests.

The pindabaat 18.

This morning the locals of San sai Fang were treated to the unusual sight of 18 foreigners, including 2 monks and 1 novice going on pindabaat from Wat Sri Boen Ruang.As part of the Wat Sri Boen Ruang International Buddhist Center Thai temple stay program, we offer this rare and fulfilling opportunity to join the monks on their alms rounds.

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14 new guests arrive at Wat Sri Boen Ruang.

Today we have had 14 new arrivals here at Wat Sri Boen Ruang to take part in our International Buddhism Center’s Thai temple stay program.
We have 10 students and 3 teachers from the USA, who will be spending a couple of days with us, getting an introduction to Buddhism, and learning a little bit about how to,and, why, we practice vipassana meditation.
Mac from Singapore has also joined us today and will be here for about 10 days.
I would like to welcome them all here to our temple, on behalf of Bhante Dr. Apisit, the monks, novices and lay devotees of Wat Sri Boen Ruang.

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