All Religions aim to lead human beings to doing and being good, and so it is becoming increasingly important for people to believe and follow the teachings of their religion. Experience Thailand has realized this spiritual need and created the Temple Stay program. This program will give you the opportunity to experience living in a temple and learn about Buddhism in a spiritual, authentic and inexpensive way. You will be provided a great opportunity learning from the Thai nuns and monks how to do meditation and well-understanding of Buddha-Dharma.

The objectives for this program:

• To learn about a Culture based on living and working within a community.
• To learn about edu-meditation in a Thai Buddhist Temple
• For the tourist to have a real impact toward bettering the community
• To help local people Criteria for tourism destination in the area within Thai Buddhist temple community development/ building Activities.

About the temple

'Tham Yai Prik Monastery' (previously called 'Tham Yai Prik Vipassana Meditation Center' until 2000) was first discovered in 1970 by the medidation master and first abbot of the temple, Master Prasit Thavaro. At the beginning the area was just a limestone cave in the forest up on the rock mountain.

Master Prasit Thavaro was the leader who taught the monks and nuns to join working with meditation practice, to be aware of the present moment, and to develop concentration, mindfulness and clear comprehension.

After Master Prasit Thavaro passed away on March 9, 2007; Master Nopphadon Khunesako assumed the position of the abbot at Tham Yai Prik Monastery.

The whole area comprises the Garden of Buddha-Dharma, the Tham Yai Prik Cave, the Pagoda, the Ordination Hall, the Stupa of Venerable Prasit Thavaro, the Dharma Open Hall, the Room of Truth, a Point of Voidness, the Quiet Corner, the Vegetable Garden, the Flag Pole Area, the Lay-woman Practitioners' residence, the Grand Hall, the Indian Bodhi Tree, the Crematorium, the Monastery Office, the Kitchen, and the Garage. It is an idiosyncratic temple where nuns wear brown, and the abbot keeps nuns and monks at work growing their own vegetables and maintaining an extensive network of walkways and meditation chambers. The central sanctuary is an atmospheric marble-floored cave, and from the highest point in the complex there are splendid views in all directions.

The program:

Day 1

You will travel from Bangkok to the town of Sriracha. Arriving at appromixately 09:00, We will travel to Wat San Sok to see a traditional Thai Temple and learn about Karma, and the Thai philosophy on how to be a good person. You will have an hour to walk around and enjoy the surroundings. We will then head towards and continue to travel to the island of Koh Si Chang. On the island you will take a local taxi for an enjoyable island tour and visit several sights such as: a large and impressive Chinese temple etc. At the end of the afternoon, you will be taken to Wat Tham Yai Prik where you will begin your spiritual journey. you need to stay in the temple for learning how to do meditation.

Accommodation: temple stay

Day 2-6

04.00 Ring the bell for awaking

04.15 Morning chanting

05.00 Join the nuns cleaning

07.00 Morning nutrition-cleaning

09.00 Individual meditation

12.00 Jion the nuns cleaning

13.30 Working meditation with nuns

16.00 Relaxing-bathing time

17.30 Ring the bell for evening chanting

17.50 Evening chanting

18.30 Individyal meditation

20.15 Free meditation

Development on Mindfulness and Clear Comprehension is the Path of Development on Wisdom as an Achievement.

"If you can liberate yourself from the volitional activities, you will be liberated from thought and then be freed from spiritual suffering."

1. The cause of suffering :You suffer because the mental volitional activities perceive the external sense-objects (sight, hearing, smelling, tasting and touching).

2. Suffering: Suffering is the result of the attachment you give to those sense-objects once they are perceived by the volitional activities.

3. The path leading to the cessation of suffering : Keep mindfulness and clear comprehension to clearly understand mindfulness and    the volitional activities

4.The  cessation  of  suffering :   Meditate  in  order  to reach  mindfulness to  clearly understand  mindfulness  and  the  volitional  activities and you will be liberated from suffering

.Accommodation: temple stay

Day 7

On the last day of the program you will travel back to Bangkok to conclude the program.

Accommodation :

The accommodation will be very basic as you are staying at a temple. You will receive clean bedding to sleep on, a mosquito net and a fan. There are normal share bathrooms and toilets.

Food:

You will be served a variety of Thai local dishes 1 time a day and sometimes you will be asked to help out with the cooking. If you get hungry in between you can always ask for a snack, it is no problem. Cold water, tea and coffee are freely available, soft drinks and alcohol can be purchased in the village.

Remark : Buddhist monks only eat breakfast. Your meals will be the same as the monks, so there will not be any dinner served.

Note:

• Ladies must not on any account touch a Buddhist monk, give things directly to him or receive direct things from him.
• When entering a Thai temple, you’re expected to remove your shoes. Dress properly, preferably long sleeves and trousers.

Note: Maximum 6 persons pertime

The Program includes:

• All transfers, starting from and returning to Bangkok.

• All accommodation

• Meals as indicated in the program

  English speaking guide

• All activities as mentioned per the itinerary

Not included in the price:  

• Passport / visa fees
• Travel expenses within Thailand
• Travel, Cancellation and Health Insurance (all participants must be in possession of proof of cover for all of these)
• Personal expenses i.e. laundry bills, telephone bills, souvenirs, internet, etc

What to bring?

On all of our tours we recommend to bring the following items:

• Light walking boots or sports shoes

• Camera, binoculars

• Long trousers and long-sleeved shirt

• Warm clothes for the evening and nights

• Raincoat (June - October)

• Mosquito repellent

• Hat, cap

• Sun screen

Please contact us for more information about our ecotourism, volunteer experience, internship students, or to arrange a customized holiday tour in Thailand that meets the specific interests and requirements of your travel experience in Thailand.

Eco Explorer Co., Ltd. 328/19 Moo 8,  Tambol Surasak, Sreracha, Chonburi 20110 Thailand.
Telephone / fax  : +66[0] 38-775-349

Email: info@realexperiencethailand.com