3.2. Life in Patipatti Monasteries: Wat Pa Tam Wua

[Note: Wat Pa Tam Wua Forest Monastery is a teaching monastery located in Thailand’s northeast province, Mae Hong Son, open to all of those interested in learning about Buddhism and spirituality through insight meditation, also known as “vipassana.” This yearround retreat is located in a peaceful and beautiful setting, surrounded by a stunning mountainous landscape, lush vegetation, caves, and waterfalls.]

Beside Pariyatti monasteries, there are a number of Patipatti monasteries in every town and city. They take the responsibility of Vipassanadhura that is teaching meditation to both monks and laypeople. Another major issue related to the Buddhist activities is meditation. In Thailand, meditation is taught and practiced by both the ordained and the lay Buddhists, at various centers and monasteries throughout the country, as well as at homes.

There are the forest and the city monasteries in Thailand. The monks in forest monasteries, the Arnnavasi, dedicate their time to meditation, both Samatha and Vipassana. The monks in the city monasteries, the Gamavasi devote their time to study and tend to become administrators of the Sangha. The separation of forest from the city monasteries means that monks and novices who study, rarely meditate, and monks and novices who meditate, rarely study. Some famous meditation Center in Thailand such as:

The monastery focuses on Buddha’s Discourse on Four Foundations of Mindfulness, specifically teaching mindfulness of breathing, of the four postures, and of the mind (vipassana). Meditation sessions incorporate sitting, walking, and lying-down. The monastery offers an opportunity for visitors to learn from monks and practice meditation. Unlike other vipassana retreats, this monastery does not believe that sitting for ten hours a day is necessary to learn about mindfulness. Rather, a flexible meditation schedule is implemented-including three group sessions and two individual sessions. As a result, this monastery is great for people of all levels, including complete beginners.

Wat Pa Tham Wua requests that all visitors follow the five precepts of Buddhism. This means visitors should refrain from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. It is also encouraged to follow the eight precepts, which are to refrain from: (1) destroying living creatures; (2) taking that which is not given, (3) sexual activity, (4) incorrect speech, (5) drinking and drugs, (6) eating after noon, (7) any form of entertainment, perfumes, or beautification of the body, and (8) lying on a luxurious bed or couch. The purpose of the precepts is to set an environment for practicing mindfulness, concentration, insight, and virtue, thus minimizing distractions and establishing the conditions needed to train the mind.

In Patipatti monasteries, both monks and laypeople have almost the same schedule and activities. However, there are some monks and laypeople who have different schedule and activities. For instance, a laywoman who takes responsibility to cook for the meditator have different schedule, and a monk who is responsible for assisting the abbot follow a different schedule.

In order to express a view on the daily activities at meditation, daily schedule will be mentioned here:

Schedule:

5:00 am: Private meditation in room
6:30 am: Rice offering to monks followed by breakfast
8:00 am: Teaching of the dhamma and group meditation (walking, sitting, lying down)
10:30 am: Food offering to monks followed by lunch
1:00 pm: Teaching of the dhamma and group meditation (walking, sitting, lying down)
4:00 pm: Chores (cleaning monastery area, helping with food, etc.)
6:00 pm: Evening chanting and meditation (sitting)
8:00 pm: Private meditation in room
10:00pm: Lights out