Wat Sanghathan

The center is a quiet place for meditation. It covers about 100 Rai of land on the Chao Phraya River. Many trees, ponds, and beautifully landscaped gardens make you forget that you are so close to Bangkok. In the Uposoth Hall, the Buddha image Luangpho Toh is housed. This image is about 200 years old, measures 10 m in height and 4 m in width, and is the sanctuary of Wat Sanghathan.

It is possible to ordain as a monk or nun. However, one should have spent a certain amount of time as a lay meditator in the temple beforehand.
Size: Monks: 100–300, Novices: 10–300 (only during school holidays), Nuns: 30, Lay meditators: 40–100

Arrival
Bangkok – Nonthaburi
1. From Bangkok, Nonthaburi is easiest and fastest to reach by the “Chao Phraya Express Boat”. You can board at any pier in Bangkok. Get off at station No. 28 “Wat Kien”. (From Banglampoo it takes about 40 min.) From there, a 5-minute walk leads to the Radio Station, the “back entrance”. At the stop, wait for the minibus labeled ‘Wat Sanghathan’, which goes to the main entrance.
2. From Silom Road in central Bangkok, take bus No. 106 (air-conditioned) to Nonthaburi.
Nonthaburi – Wat Sanghathan
Cross the river by ferry and take the red pick-up taxi to Wat Sanghathan (the last one in the row).

Registration
For participation in an intensive course at Ban Sawangjai Center (in Kao Yai National Park), registration is recommended.

Tradition and Teacher
Ajahn Sanong, he speaks Thai and also some English. Several monks and nuns live in the temple who help with translation.

Meditation Technique
Practice of the four foundations of mindfulness (Satipatthana), contemplation of breathing (Anapanasati), and other methods mentioned in the Buddhist scriptures.
Beginners are first introduced to the technique. Later, regular interviews follow. Sitting and walking meditation also take place in the group (see daily schedule).

Rules
All participants commit to observing the eight Silas (moral precepts). Clothing should be white, comfortable, and appropriate (no shorts or sleeveless T-shirts). There is a shop on the temple grounds where you can buy white clothing and essentials. It is permitted to stay at Wat Sanghathan for seven days to meditate and study the Buddhadhamma. If you wish to stay longer, permission must be obtained from Acharn Sanong. On your first visit to Wat Sanghathan, please bring two passport photos. Smoking is not allowed in the temple, and one should strive to adhere to the schedule, noble silence, and gender separation. There is only one meal per day.

Daily Schedule
04:00 – Morning chanting until 04:30 – then sitting meditation
06:00 – Warm drinks in the kitchen
07:30 – Walking meditation in the grove
09:30 – Main meal (buffet)
12:30 – Chanting and meditation behind the hall
15:30 – Work meditation
16:30 – Walking meditation behind the hall
17:30 – Afternoon drinks + washing and rest break
19:00 – Evening chanting
20:00 – Sitting meditation in the Dhamma Hall

Accommodation
Lay meditators are assigned their own room or sleep in the dormitory. Women in the nuns’ section of the monastery, men in the monks’ section.

Meals
Once a day, a rich variety of Thai dishes is offered at the buffet; the selection also includes some vegetarian dishes.

Costs
Everything is free – donations to cover the running costs of the temple are welcome.

Note
A branch monastery of Wat Sanghathan is Wat Pah Namtok Khemakko, near Suphanburi. The German Mae Chee Maria lives there. Contact is organized through Khun Puky. There are 2 kutis for female guests. For men, it may happen that they are accommodated in a tent on a platform in the forest, or sleep in a hall on top of the mountain.
Another branch monastery, also Wat Sanghathan, is now located in Berlin.

Center Details

Address:
Wat Sanghathan
Bangphai, Muang
Nonthaburi 11000
THAILAND

Contact:
Tel: +66 2 447 1766 / +66 2 447 079 9
Fax: 02-4472784
Contact person: Khun Puky (speaks passable English) Tel: +66 89 050 005 2. Khun Puky has a stone shop at the main entrance. It is best to contact her directly, as often only Thai is spoken in the temple complex.

Website:
http://www.vimokkha.com