Wat Pa Baan Taad
Source
Dieter Baltruschat using the retreat guide by Bill Weir. Updated by Gerd Neller in June 2004
12.2012 – per email from Ajahn Martin Piyadhammo:
We are very sorry from now on, there will be no English or German speaking teacher anymore in the monastery. The Language will be Thai only.
Address
Wat Pa Baan Taad
Baan Taad
Ampher Meuang
Udon Thani 41000
No registration required, but an inquiry cannot hurt
Internet: www.luangta.com
(there is a Thai, an English, and also a German homepage)
Arrival
From Bangkok, some trains run in the morning (e.g., Sprinter, departure 8:20 a.m., arrival 6:00 p.m.) and some night trains (departure 8:30 p.m. with sleeper car, arrival 7:49 a.m., and a Sprinter without sleeper car departure 8:40 p.m., arrival 6:25 a.m.) from Bangkok to Udon Thani.
From the northern bus station, buses depart daily between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. to Udon Thani, taking about 12 hours.
Thai Air offers three daily flights from Bangkok (6:30 a.m., 12:55 p.m., 6:35 p.m.) to Udon Thani. The flight time is one hour.
From Udon Thani, take a songtaew (e.g., No. 44), local bus, or taxi to the village of Ban Gum Kling, about 8 km south, then continue southwest via the village of Ban That, about 7 km away, to the Wat, located about 1 km from there. Some songtaews go directly from Udon to the Wat or to Ban Thad.
Registration
Leadership
Description
Tradition and Teacher
Phra Ajahn Maha Bua (in English Maha Boowa), the former abbot of the monastery, was one of the most famous meditation teachers in Thailand and one of the last living students of the legendary Ajahn Mann (in English Ajahn Mun) (small Ajahn Mun Museum in Wat Pa Sutthawat in Sakon Nakhon, about 100 km east of Udon Thani). Ajahn Maha Bua passed away in 2011.
Meditation Technique
Instructions for formal meditation practice can be found in the book “Forest Dhamma” by Ajahn Maha Bua. First, the mind is calmed using traditional meditation practices such as Anapanasati, mentally repeating the word Buddho (or Dhammo or Sangho), or contemplation of the 32 parts of the body. As usual, three types of Samadhi are distinguished: Upacara Samadhi, the access concentration. One can dwell there from a few minutes to several hours. In this type of Samadhi, there is not yet absolute stillness, but the mind can perceive various phenomena within it. It is a feeling as if one clicks into this state and interest in the external world disappears. Only the inner world then comes to the fore. At the end of access concentration, one also clicks out again voluntarily. Khanika Samadhi, momentary concentration, in which the mind plunges into deep concentration (appana samadhi) only for a brief moment, then usually transitions into access concentration. And Appana Samadhi, full or deep concentration, in which all worldly things – including the body and breath – disappear from consciousness and only pure, clear knowing remains.
Once sufficient concentration is present, the three characteristics (impermanence, unsatisfactoriness-suffering, and non-self) are contemplated, the five khandhas are investigated and broken down into their functions and individual parts in order to recognize their true nature. First, one begins with the contemplation of the body, because it is what people are most consciously or unconsciously attached to. Once greed and hatred are ultimately recognized and seen through as to their true nature, then one can begin to undermine ignorance (avijja) and drive it out of the heart forever.
Rules
Course Duration and Dates
Language(s)
German, English, and Thai.
Accommodation
Since the monastery is very well known, arrival should not fall on religious holidays and special days such as the birthday of the Venerable Teacher Maha Bua (12.08.1913) or the 30.05. The beginning and end (Kathin) of the rainy season should also be avoided. In the men’s area, there are kutis (bungalows). Usually several laypeople share a large kuti. In the women’s area, there are dormitories or lan (small covered platforms in the forest).
Meals
The only daily meal is in the morning and is very substantial. In the late afternoon, there are juices, coffee or tea, and some sweets. Even higher safety of drinking water by bringing your own disinfectant.
Medical Care
Costs
On a donation basis.
Climate
Humid-warm climate.
What to Bring
Before the stay, an alarm clock, a good flashlight (if necessary, spare bulb and spare batteries), flip-flops, water bottle, insect repellent, toiletries, candles, and matches should be procured. These items are all available in Udon Thani. A warm jacket can be useful for morning meditation. In the cooler season, a sleeping bag is recommended.
Note
Book Recommendation
The books by Phra Ajahn Maha Bua (in English Maha Boowa) can either be obtained directly from the monastery or downloaded as PDF files from the English-language website.
In addition to the books available online, the homepage also offers a picture gallery with photos of the monastery, its residents, and the surroundings. Audio Dhamma talks and videos also offer valuable insights. On the German-language homepage, you can download the German translation of the book “A Life of Inner Quality” with the title “Ein Leben innerer Qualität”. Furthermore, the translation of the first chapter “Die Frühen Jahre” of the spiritual biography of the Venerable Teacher Maha Bua is available.
But the following English-language books have also been published by W.A.V.E., among others.
– Forest Dhamma (possibly out of print)
– A Life of Inner Quality
– To the Last Breath – Dhamma Talks on Living and Dying
– Wisdom Develops Samadhi
– Kammathana (possibly out of print)
– Things as they are
– Straight from the Heart
– Mode of Practice of Ajahn Mun
– The Biography of the venerable Acariya Mun
The books published for free distribution can be obtained for a donation for shipping costs (donations for further publications are also gladly accepted) from:
Mrs Lim Tay Poh, c/o No. 2
Jalan Chan ah Thong
Off Jln Tun Sambathan
50470 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Photo Gallery
Video
Center Details
Address:
Wat Pa Baan Taad
Baan Taad
Ampher Meuang
Udon Thani 41000
Contact:
No registration required, but an inquiry cannot hurt
Website:
http://www.luangta.com