No, you don't need to book or inform us in any way. Even if you're coming with a group of people. We will find place for everyone.
Monks will be teaching in English and Thai.
Staying at Wat Pa Tam Wua is free. You are welcome to leave a donation (cash, QR or bank transfer).
Between 3 to 10 days. Although possible, we don't recommend staying for less than 3 days, so you can get the full experience.
You normally cannot stay longer than 10 days, but sometimes we make exceptions. Usually for people that are very helpful and going extra volunteering work.
Absolutely yes. You cannot skip a class without serious reason. If there is such a reason, visit the information desk in advance and we will talk.
Otherwise, if you skip even 1 class without our permission, you might be asked to leave.
Tam Wua serves two meals a day, breakfast and lunch. Both meals are vegetarian. An average lunch would consist of rice, a vegetable curry, either some noodles or another vegetable dish, fresh local fruit, and biscuits. There is no dinner, but this tends to be less of a problem than people imagine.
Notice: Not all food drinks or snacks that are served are Vegan — it should at least be vegetarian. The food that the monastery cooks will be vegetarian but sometimes people will donate milk or certain snacks — please double check the label with information staff. If you have specific diet requirements during your stay we suggest that you bring your own easy to cook food (e.g. instant noodles). Or if you have any certain allergy (e.g. nut allergy) you should bring your own food for your own safety. We cannot guarantee if all the dishes will be allergy free for you or not.
We provide white clothes, and we will wash them for you. You can wear your own too.
You should bring basic toiletries, like towel, shampoo and a toothbrush. There's also a small store that has the essential toiletries.
No. While it would probably be helpful to your practice if you didn't use them, that choice is yours to make.
However, deep introspection and breakthroughs are less likely to happen while you're on social media. It might be better to spend the time asking why you find it so difficult to be without it.
Yes. Wat Pa Tam Wua tries to be welcoming and accommodating to people at all points on their spiritual journey. However, it might be worth learning the basics before you arrive. If you are just starting out, we do make an effort to be beginner friendly. Talk to the Information desk or a monk about any difficulties you might have.
Our schedule has a bit more flexibility to it than many other retreats, making your stay here a little less intimidating. Our Dharma talks will cover the basics for people new to meditation or to Buddhism. We do work to keep Wat Wua as a welcoming, open, hospitable place for people taking their first steps. That being said, it's also worth keeping in mind that Wat Pa Tam Wua is a monastery and Vipassana meditation retreat, not a relaxation centre or resort. Please keep your behaviour monastery appropriate, and remember that you must attend every item on the timetable.
Absolutely! People of all faiths are welcome at Wat Pa Tam Wua. We do ask that you show respect to Buddhism, and keep in mind that teachings will be in a Thai Buddhist framework. But your religious beliefs (or lack of) should not be an issue.
If you have any specific problems (for example you cannot bow to the Buddha) visit the Information desk and we will find a solution.
No, silence is your choice. Meditation centres generally promote silence, and there are good reasons for that. We would encourage you to go silent for part of your stay, as it is beneficial for your practice.
If you do choose to go silent, then put on a "Silent" badge, available at the information desk. We also have one half of the dining hall that is silent; in the other, you are free to have quiet conversation. We do ask that you try to observe "right speech" when talking. Is it necessary? Is it true? Is it kind? Try not to distract or disturb others with your conversation.
We provide chairs as well as floor cushions, and you can switch at any time. If the pain becomes too much, switch to a chair. However, exploring different physical sensations is part of every meditator's journey. Try sending the mind out into the pain, rather than recoiling from it. Examine it closely for a while. You might be surprised by what you find. Then, switch to a chair.
Yes, however we do not recommend bringing children that are less than 4 years old.
Also, it's your responsibility to ensure that the child either stays totally quiet during meditation or stays away.
Walk to be the Knower and Chanting Book would greatly help you to learn the basics. Both are available to download for free on the Wat Pa Tam Wua homepage.