We do work to keep Wat Pa Tam Wua as a welcoming, open, hospitable place for people taking their steps towards the spiritual growth.
That being said, it's also worth keeping in mind that 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.
All the highlighted activities are mandatory and cannot be skipped without a serious reason. Please don't come late, we recommend coming at least 5–10 minutes early.
We recommend you waking up early and starting your day in the right way. Early morning is a great time to do meditations, chanting, yoga or any other spiritual practice.
A rice offering is made to each monk. This small ceremonial offering is a beautiful insight into traditional Thai Buddhism, as well as generating good karma for everyone who participates.
A classic Thai breakfast. Normally rice and vegetables, along with some fresh fruit. Coffee, tea and hot chocolate are available. The breakfast is vegetarian; no barbeque!
Morning class follows a format of a talk on the Dharma, given in both Thai and English. After the talk, there is 40 minutes of walking meditation, 40 minutes of sitting meditation, and 15 minutes of lying down meditation. These are three of the four postures for meditation taught by the Buddha. (The other being standing meditation.)
A ceremonial food offering to the monks, and a short Dharma talk. A more formal food offering to the monks, displaying the ceremony and respect that Thai monks are shown. Making this offering gives good karma to the participants, as well as being a beautiful insight into Thai Buddhism and culture.
Ladies offer food by placing it in front of the abbot. He cannot take it directly from a lady. Gentlemen offer food directly to the monks. The item should be raised off the floor, and only lowered once the monk has touched it.
A vegetarian lunch. Welcome! Lunch would normally consist of several dishes and rice, as well as fresh fruit. It is varied, so may have soup, noodles, baked goods, desert, etc. Lunch is the last meal of the day, although some fruit or biscuits are sometimes available in the afternoon.
A similar format to the morning class. A talk given by a monk on the Dharma, in both Thai and English. Then walking meditation, sitting meditation and lying down meditation. The monk will be available to answer any questions after the class. Please use this opportunity to ask all the questions you may have.
The monastery always needs a little upkeep. Cleaning and helping may involve raking leaves, putting away plates, cutting up fruit, picking fruit, feeding the fish, cleaning around your dorm or kuti, setting up the Dharma hall, and so on. Everyone needs to help a little.
Your time to read, explore the monastery, have a quiet conversation, meditate or relax.
Chanting books are available in English or Thai. Evening chanting lasts around 45 minutes, then there is a 40 minute meditation, and a short talk by the monk.
Meditate on your own, or enjoy tea, coffee, hot chocolate. Rest time at 22:00.
Yes. All highlighted activities — rice offering, morning class, food offering, afternoon class, and evening chanting — are mandatory for everyone staying at the monastery. Missing a session without permission may result in being asked to leave.
At 06:30 a small amount of rice is offered to each monk — a beautiful traditional Thai Buddhist ceremony. At 10:30 there is a more formal food offering with a short Dharma talk. Ladies place food in front of the abbot; gentlemen offer it directly to the monks.
Yes. Chairs are available alongside floor cushions and you may switch at any time. We encourage you to explore different positions, but comfort and consistency matter more than posture.
Lunch at 11:00 is the last full meal of the day. Some fruit or biscuits may be available in the afternoon. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are available from 20:00 onwards.
A monk gives a talk on Buddhist teachings in both Thai and English. Topics range from the basics of mindfulness to deeper Vipassana philosophy. The monk is available for questions after each session.
Yes, but only in your kuti (room), dorm, or another private space. Yoga in communal or visible areas is not permitted, as certain poses are considered inappropriate in a monastic setting.
The first activity is at 05:00 — morning meditation in your kuti. We recommend waking up a few minutes before to prepare. Coming to sessions at least 5–10 minutes early is encouraged.