Have you paused to consider why Thais have followed Buddha’s teachings for over a thousand years? Much of Thai life centers around the local wat. It is a temple or monastery. Today we visit Buddha Dhamma Nonghor Monastery.
Thai people come to the wat for worship. They come for sermons and for advice on family matters. People come to the wat for meditation and schooling for children. Traditional medicine is also found at the wat.
Many boys and men become novices or monks. They do this for short periods. This allows them to fully immerse themselves in Buddha’s way of life. Men who spend their lives in robes receive great respect. Thais welcome foreigners to practice Buddha’s teachings. The supportive environment of a Thai wat offers inspiration. It provides opportunity for spiritual development. This is rare in the world today.
Thais believe Buddha’s teachings are priceless. No money is asked for meditation instruction. Things like accommodations and food are often free. Generosity from laypeople enables the wats to function. Some meditation centers charge a fee for room and board. But this is small compared to retreats in western countries. For stays of a few months one can practice in Thailand for less cost than a retreat in their home country. This is true even after paying airfare.
Thailand has thousands of wats and meditation centers. Because different Thai wats and meditation centers offer many practices and environments one may wish to consider which place will be most suitable. At most wats monks devote time to ceremonies and study of Buddhist scriptures. Noise many people coming and going and lack of a suitable teacher can make meditation difficult. A small percentage of wats offer supportive conditions for meditation. These wats typically have a peaceful environment. They have teachers who can help with difficulties. They offer freedom for one to choose the meditation technique that works best. Some of Thailand’s forest wats follow a Way of Life. Monastic discipline and daily routine receive equal emphasis with formal meditation techniques. Meditation centers specialize in practice. It could be a particular meditation system. Or one of the meditator’s choosing. These centers have minimal chanting and ceremony. Maximum time can be devoted to formal practice.
The Buddha invited all to come and investigate his teachings. The Buddha found a way to end suffering. He taught a way that we can follow. He observed how human beings seek happiness. He saw how nearly all failed to find lasting contentment. Out of compassion the Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths. These truths are about the way things are. They show how we can develop the mind toward Nibbana. This is the highest happiness. It is the most perfect peace. To do this we need to obtain instructions. We get them through teachers and books. Then we apply the teachings to our lives. The Buddha presented different methods of practice. He suited them to the varied personalities of his students. All methods involve a foundation of virtuous conduct. We apply mindfulness. We develop concentration to focus the mind. We grow wisdom through investigation and reflection. The key point is that the Buddha could only point the way. We must do the practice. That is how we progress toward realization of Nibbana.
So as you leave Buddha Dhamma Nonghor Monastery consider these thoughts. What practices will you incorporate into your daily life?