The Insight Meditation Center is located in the town of Chomtong near Chiangmai in northern Thailand. The main temple houses the famous Takkhinamoli relic. The meditation courses take place in a relatively quiet area near the main temple. On the grounds there are bungalows, the meditation hall, kitchen and dining hall, as well as some other buildings.
Arrival: Cheap return flights to Bangkok are available from about 600 euros. From Bangkok, best to take a night train (travel time approx. 13h), bus or plane (flight time approx. 1h) to Chiangmai. From Chiangmai to Chomtong approx. every 30 min. with bus 1232 (blue-white) from approx. 5 – 18.30 in 90 min. for approx. 40 Baht. Departure and/or boarding at Chiang Mai Gate, the southern gate of the old city. Yellow pickups also travel the route (for approx. 40 Baht).
Tradition and Teacher: Theravada, Vipassana meditation in an intensive form of the Mahasi tradition. Ajahn Thong is in his late eighties and one of the most famous meditation teachers in Thailand. Kate and Thanat Chindaporn have many years of meditation experience and have been teaching Vipassana meditation for over 20 years. There is a pleasant atmosphere, and the two can give very helpful and clear instructions for practice in the daily interviews.
Meditation Technique: The meditation practice takes place in one’s own bungalow or room. All practitioners receive individual meditation instructions. During the retreat, the four foundations of mindfulness (contemplation of the body, feelings, mind, and mind objects) are practiced, whereby all arising phenomena should be mentally noted. Initially, the primary meditation object during sitting is the rising and falling of the abdomen, and during walking, the movement of the foot. Each meditation period begins with a mindful prostration, followed by walking meditation and then a sitting period. Walking and sitting meditation have the same duration. Beginners start with 10 minutes and slowly increase up to one hour.
Rules: Each participant commits to observing eight silas (moral precepts). Clothing should be white, comfortable, and appropriate (no shorts or sleeveless T-shirts). Wake-up is at 4 a.m.
Course Duration and Dates: An introductory course lasts about three weeks. Since there are individual courses, no special date needs to be observed. The retreat starts after an opening ceremony. Persons who have already done a course in the tradition of Venerable Ajahn Tong can participate in a 10-day course.
Language(s): Interviews in English or Thai.
Accommodation: Kutis (bungalows) or rooms with bath and toilet (sufficient water and washing facilities for laundry available). Women and men live in separate areas. Sleeping is on a thin mattress. If this seems too hard, one should bring a sleeping pad (Ridge Rest or Therm-A-Rest mats are somewhat expensive but quite comfortable). Blankets and sitting cushions are provided; white clothing can be borrowed. A sleeping bag is very useful especially in the cooler season.
Meals: Breakfast (6 a.m.) and lunch (11 a.m.) are varied and of good quality. There are always two to three vegetarian dishes and sometimes fruit. After 12 noon, no more solid food should be taken (drinks such as milk, tea, coffee, and yogurt are allowed). Drinking water is filtered and therefore safe to drink (even higher safety with brought disinfectant or boiling).
Shopping: Items of daily use, sitting cushions, and white clothing are available in the small shops or the market outside the wat. Before the retreat, one should obtain a digital alarm clock (can possibly be borrowed), flashlight, flip-flops, water bottle, insect repellent, and toiletries.
Medical Care: Very good by Asian standards. In Chomtong there are pharmacies and a decent hospital with English-speaking doctors. The area is not considered a malaria area, but malaria is prevalent in other parts of Thailand. The hygienic conditions in the wat are good.
Costs: On a donation basis.
Climate: Humid-warm climate, best travel time November to March.
Note: A warm jacket is useful for morning meditation. Persons with back problems should bring a good sleeping pad. Also very suitable for beginners. Good conditions, intensive practice, and knowledgeable individual guidance, therefore one of the best retreat opportunities.
Retreat opportunity in Germany: Vipassana courses in this tradition are also offered in Germany at Wat Buddha Piyawararam in Götzenhain near Frankfurt and at the Dhammacari Vipassana Meditation Center about 1 hour north of Munich.
Wat Buddha-Piyavararam
Address: Dietzenbacher Str. 6, 63303 Dreieich-Götzenhain
Tel.: 06103-833253
Internet: http://watthaigoetzenhain.npage.de/
Wat Buddha Piyawararam is a former small farmhouse located in the town center directly on the main street. The sleeping rooms for guests are very simply furnished. Those who live nearby can also sleep at home. Lunch consists of donated, often non-vegetarian Thai dishes. The courses take place on a Dana basis (donations).
Regular open meditation groups and meditation weekends take place. Basic courses, retreats, and everyday retreats are also possible by arrangement at Wat Buddha-Piyawararam. Beginners can receive an introduction to the technique practiced here. The current program can always be viewed on the website. The courses led by Phra Ajahn Ofer (very experienced monk and Vipassana teacher of this tradition) take place 1-2 times a year.
Dhammacari Vipassana Meditation Center
Address: Allgramsdorf 8, 84056 Rottenburg a. d. Laaber
Tel: 08785 – 969 877, Fax: 08785 – 969 728
Internet: www.vipassana-dhammacari.com
Email: Contact form
The Dhammacari Vipassana Meditation Center is located in Sonnenthal near Allgramsdorf/Rottenburg a.d. Laaber. It is embedded in the hilly landscape of Lower Bavaria and offers ideal conditions for meditation due to its quiet location.
The house was given for meditation. Ongoing costs for house and meals are borne, following the Buddhist teaching, by voluntary monetary gifts (Dana). Thus, everyone participates according to their individual possibilities at the Dhammacari Vipassana Meditation Center to enable all seriously interested persons to participate in the courses.