Ban Sawang Jai (House of Enlightened Hearts), a branch of Wat Sanghathan, is located about 250 km northeast of Bangkok. A beautiful, quiet, and spacious place, about 10 km from the main entrance of Khao Yai National Park. The grounds are very green, with grassy areas, fields, scrubland, banana trees around a hill, the core of the monastery. There are many places available where one can practice. There is a row of quite comfortable huts (kutis) for lay meditators, a large meditation hall (which is mainly used for the intensive meditation course), and an area for the monks on the mountain. There is also the hall with the Buddha, the kitchen, a cave that is being prepared as a room for devotions, and other infrastructure.
Contact person is Ven. Ajahn Tippakorn. Ajahn, the abbot, in his late 30s, speaks English quite well. Ajahn gives Dhamma talks on selected topics in the evenings. Questions can be asked.
As in Wat Sanghathan, especially during the course. However, free meditation (i.e., according to other systems) is also possible. Beginners are first introduced to Vipassana meditation. Later, regular interviews follow. Sitting and walking meditation also take place in the group (see daily schedule below).
5 Silas are expected, one can also observe 8 Silas. Clothing should be white, comfortable, and appropriate (no shorts or sleeveless T-shirts; clothing can possibly be bought or borrowed at the monastery). Silence is optional, but mindfulness and quiet prevail everywhere. There is only one meal per day.
Daily schedule:
5:00 Morning devotion and meditation (1 hour)
Small breakfast (hot drinks)
Walking meditation (1 hour)
9:30 Main meal with the monks
Short rest period
Meditation in the kuti or hall (walking, standing, sitting, 2 hours)
16:00 Walking meditation (1 hour)
Then showering, washing clothes, other tasks, etc.
19:00 Joint evening devotion, meditation (1 hour)
Instructions and interview opportunity
Possibly Dhamma talk
It is possible to ordain as a monk or nun. This usually goes through Wat Sanghathan. About 15 monks, 1-2 nuns, and usually some lay meditators from Thailand or abroad live in the monastery.
Once a month (starting on the first Saturday of each month) a one-week meditation course takes place. Mostly Thais from Bangkok and the surrounding area participate. The language of instruction is Thai (for lectures, guided meditations, etc.). Those who wish to stay at the Khao Yai Meditation Center after the end of the 7-day course are welcome.
Lay meditators are usually assigned a kuti (with bathroom) alone or in pairs. It offers enough space to meditate there if desired. During the meditation course, however, it is more cramped. The kutis are then often occupied by 3-4 people. Many course participants sleep in the large meditation hall.
Once a day, a rich Thai buffet is offered. The selection also includes some vegetarian dishes.
No costs. Donations to cover the ongoing costs of the temple are welcome, however.
Mae Chee Brigitte is no longer there. It is possible that no one speaks English.
Those who would like meditation instructions in German can find out where Mae Chee Brigitte is currently located via www.meditationthailand.com or meditationthailand@yahoo.com.
Khao Yai is no longer used as regularly; it is best to inquire at Wat Sanghathan before traveling.
Assessment by Jörg Dittmar:
For those who find Wat Sanghathan too large and perhaps too lively, for whom the personal guidance there, especially for Westerners who speak little or no Thai, is insufficient, or who simply seek meditative peace far from Bangkok, Ban Sawang Jai is ideal.
It is easily reachable from Bangkok in 3 hours.
Outside the course, one can meditate according to the monastery’s rules and receive guidance. One can also continue the practices one does at home without any problems. The atmosphere is characterized by a lot of tolerance. Ajahn Tippakorn is familiar with Western ways of thinking and problems, also through his travels to Europe, South Africa, or New Zealand.
The one-week meditation course is in any case an impressive experience. For Westerners who do not speak Thai well, however, it is more of a cultural experience. It is interesting and inspiring to experience the diverse activities, to come into contact with Thais, and to meditate together. However, a large part of the daily schedule (e.g., the guided meditations, which make up an important part) is hardly accessible. Some monks sometimes explain in English. The lion’s share, however, is in Thai.
I therefore only participated in some selected parts of the course. And otherwise looked for a quiet corner for meditation (which can always be found). Also, during the course, suddenly 60, 80, or even more people are additionally in the monastery. This naturally affects the atmosphere, even with great silence and mindfulness of all. My tip: if you want to experience the course, arrive a few days beforehand. Settle in quietly, do the practices. Then let the course affect you – and decide how to continue.