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.
Arrival: From Bangkok, some trains leave 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, arrival 7:49 a.m., and a Sprinter without sleeper 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 flights daily from Bangkok (6:30 a.m., 12:55 p.m., 6:35 p.m.) to Udon Thani. 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 through the village of Ban That, about 7 km away, to the Wat, about 1 km further. Some songtaews go directly from Udon to the Wat or to Ban Thad.
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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, access concentration. One can stay there from a few minutes to several hours. In this type of Samadhi, there is not yet absolute calm, 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 dives 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 parts to realize their true nature. First, one begins with contemplation of the body, because it is what people are most attached to, consciously or unconsciously. When greed and hatred are finally 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.
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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. Also, the beginning and end (Kathin) of the rainy season should 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 greater safety of drinking water by bringing your own disinfectant.
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Costs: On a donation basis.
Climate: Humid-warm climate.
What to Bring: Before the stay, an alarm clock, a good flashlight (possibly spare bulb and batteries), flip-flops, water bottle, insect repellent, toiletries, candles, and matches should be obtained. 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.
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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
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Video:
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