Recommend place for Meditation in Bangkok I

                   

•Wat Mahathat Yuwarat Rangsarit
        Wat Mahathat is one of the important temple of Rattanakosin where the relics of Buddha are being enshrined

 

Location and background
    Wat Mahathat is located at 3 Maharaj Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratcha Wang district, Phra Nakorn,Bangkok 10200 Tel. 02-222-6011,02-222-4981 Fax 02-6236474 

       
    
    Wat Mahathat is situated to the north of the Royal Palace. It was built in Ayutthaya period and formerly known as Wat Salak. Before the first Grand Council to revise the Buddhist tripitaka (the Buddhist scriptures) was convoked in 1788 AD., King Rama I renamed the temple to Wat Phra Sri Sanphechayadaram. Later, during the reign of King Rama V, he donated the wealth of the Crown Prince who had passed away, for the renovation of the temple and renamed it “Wat Mahathat Yuwarat Rangsarit” (2439 BE.)

    The temple is the center of the Mahanikai school of Buddhism. It caters as a center of monastic learning for members of the sect from throughout Southeast Asia. This is an advanced institute of learning for monks, organized in the same way as a university. It was founded by King Rama V with the intention to provide an educational institute for monks of Mahanikai fraternity. In the same way Maha Mongkut Ratchawitthayalai was for the monks in the Dhammayattika fraternity. It was the first time that the word Witthayalai or University was used in Thai vocabulary.

The Meditation practice
  Vipassana meditation practice is conducted daily for Thais and foreigners. To register for it, please contact Vipassana Central Office Division, board 5 of Wat Mahathat. Tel. 02-222-6011, 02-222-4981 For the foreigners, they can directly contact “International Buddhist Meditation Center” (IBMC) Dhamma Vicaya Hall, Tel: (662) 623-6326, 623-6328 (Afternoons only, 1pm - 7.30 p.m.)
    IBMC is the vipassana teaching center of Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the highest seats of Buddhist learning in the country. Mindfulness meditation classes in English are held daily, from 1pm - 6 p.m. except on Buddhist holidays and Sundays. Bring flowers, nine sticks of incense, a candle for the opening ceremony and personal effects.

  
 


•Wat Borommaniwat Ratchaworawiharn
Wat Boromniwat is located at Praram 6 Road, Soi Urupong 15, Rongmuang District, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330

     

Background
    Wat Boromniwat is a second class royal monastery located at the Khlong Mahanak intersection.  The temple was originally called Wat Nok (meaning "outside temple"), because of its location outside the city wall.  It was founded by the order of King Rama IV in 1834 (2377 B.E.) while he was in the monkhood, residing in Wat Bowornniwet. The purpose of the wat was to serve as an aranyawasi center (meaning forest-dweller), while Wat Bowornniwet was to serve as khammawasi center (meaning "Buddhist priest located near a village").  The monastery was given the name Wat Borommaniwat.   
    The outstanding Ubosot (the main chapel) has gables decorated with delicate stucco and mural paintings depicting Buddhist symbolism instead of scenes from Lord Buddha's life as is more commonly found.  The murals were the work of Khrua In Khong, a famous artist in the King Rama IV period who abandoned the traditional story telling style in favor of a newer conceptual style.  The principal Buddha image, named Phra Thotsaphonlayan, is shown in the subduing Mara posture or mudra and is of the Sukhothai style brought over from Phitsanulok province.

The Meditation practice
  There is always offering of food to monks who do meditation on every Sunday and every 3rd of the month at Sanitwong-Kayangkul Building, Sirichantho meditation center. The schedule are as follows:
07:30  Offering of food to monks who do meditation (cooked rice-dried food).
08:00  A chairman incense candles to worship the Triple Gems and undertaking a  
          religious precept.
08:15  Chanting of holy stanzas by monks.
08:30  Offer Breakfast to monks after welcome call to have meal together.
09:30  Offering to monks, end of ceremony.
10:00  Monks give a one chapter sermon on meditation.

  
  
                         


•Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen
    Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen (also known as Pak Nam Phasi Charoen) is one of the most important wat where LP Sod Chantasaro had ever lived and was the abbot in charge. LP Sod was a great Vipassana meditation master and as well as teacher.

 
                      
Location and background
    Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen is Located at 8, Park khong Phasi Charoen district, Phasi Charoen, Bangkok 10160 Tel. 02-457-9042, 02-467-0811 and 02-467-2166

               

        Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen is the third grade temple with a sizeable population of monks and nuns. The wat was estimated to be created in the middle of Ayuttaya period. Perhaps, surmised by antiques and ancient remains in the temple such as Tripitaka Hall, Ubosot, etc.
    Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen was restored several times and till the Reign of King Rama VI this temple lacked an abbot. In 2459, the chief monk of Wat Jetthuphon, Somdej Phra Wanaraj recommended Phra Samuha Sod Chansaro to become the chief monk of Wat Paknam.  
    The temple is well known in meditation lessons. The meditation teacher there can speak some English and the junior monks are able to interpret. Presently Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen is the center for practicing meditation and learning Bali.

The Meditation practice
The meditation practice follows the Dhammakaya method passed down by LP Sod. LP Wat Paknam was supported to build place for meditation, "Charoen Vipassana Hall",2nd floor of Sangvechaniya Mongkol Thep Nimit Hall and Bowon Thep Muni Building. Moreover there are talks on Doctrine on every Saturday-Sunday, Religious day, and on festival.
- Time and Place for the meditation practice 
1. Charoen Vipassana Hall
   On weekdays, morning 08:00-09:30 and evening 18:00-19:30
   Saturday-Sunday-Official Holiday 10:00-11:30 and 13:00-14:00
   Religious day 13:00-14:00
2. Sangvechaniya Mongkol Thep Nimit Hall
   On everyday Thursday 14:00-15:00

           

Edited by Clement Lim