Meditation in Bangkok

Bas-relief in Sukhothai, Thailand depicting monks during walking meditation.

Meditation information and courses in Bangkok

Meditation teachings are widely available in Thailand. You can attend a class at one of the teaching monasteries for an afternoon or evening. Wat Mahadhatu near the Grand Palace, for example, has two meditation training centers open to locals and tourists. Or you may join a vipassana retreat, which usually takes a weekend or longer. A number of retreat centers, most of them located in the provinces, run intensive courses of up to four weeks on an ongoing basis. All vipassana retreats require you to follow the Five Buddhist Precepts. These include refraining from harming all living beings, from taking what is not given, from improper sexual behavior, from lying and incorrect speech, and from taking liquors and drugs that will cloud the mind. Some retreats may require that you take you take the Eight Precepts, which in addition to the first five include refraining from dinner, from all forms of entertainment and bodily decoration, and from sleeping on high mattresses.

Where to learn meditation in Bangkok: Medication Courses

International Buddhist Meditation Center (IBMC)

Dhamma Vicaya Hall, Wat Mahadhatu, Tha Prachan, Bangkok

Tel: (662) 623-6326, 623-6328 (Afternoons only, 1-7.30 p.m.)

IBMC is the vipassana teaching center of Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University, one of the highest seats of Buddhist learning in the country. Mindfulness meditation classes in English are held daily, from 1-6 p.m. except on Buddhist holidays and Sundays. Bring flowers, nine sticks of incense and a candle for the opening ceremony. The Center also organizes vipassana retreats at Buddha Monthon in Nakhon Pathom, usually on major Buddhist holidays and long weekends. Dhamma talks to groups can be arranged by request.

Section Five, Wat Mahadhatu

Tha Prachan, Bangkok

Tel: (662) 222-6011

Thais and foreigners have long come to Section Five of Wat Mahadhatu to learn mindfulness meditation. Classes are held from 7-10 p.m., 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. These are mixed; at any given session there will be beginners and advanced meditators, monks and laymen, locals and tourists. English-speaking instruction is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You can come for a retreat of three days or longer. Meals and accommodation are provided on the compounds free of charge. Bring enough sets of clothes, toiletries and personal items, and an offering of flowers, a candle and nine sticks of incense for the opening ceremony. Donations are accepted but not solicited.

Other Meditation Centres in Bangkok

 House of Dhamma (Vipassana) Insight Meditation Center

26/9 Chompol Lane, Lat Phrao Soi 15 Chatuchak, Bangkok

Tel: (662) 511-0439 (weekends or evenings only) Fax: (662) 512-6083

Sthiradhamma Sthana

24/5 Soi Watcharapol, Ramindra Soi 55, Bangkok

Tel: (662) 510-6697, 510-4765 Fax: (662) 519-4633

Young Buddhists Association of Thailand (YBAT)

58/8 Soi Petchkasem 54, Petchkasem Road, Bangkok

Tel: (662) 413-3131, 413-1706