Meditation Centers in Thailand – Wat Nong Pa Phong (Ubon Ratchathani)
Luang Phor Chah Suphattho or Ajahn Chah Subhaddo (Wat Nong Pa Phong, Ubon Ratchathani)
When in Ubon Ratchathani (Royal City of the Lotus), there are many beautiful temples (wat) to visit. Situated on the area of about 300 rais in Baan Koh, Ampher Warinchamrab, Wat Nong Pa Phong is a Buddhist forest monastery established by Luang Phor Chah Suphattho (Ajahn Chah Subhaddo), also known as Phra Potiyan Theera, a renowned Wipatsana monk in 1954. It is surrounded by forests of phong trees whence the name was derived. The temple is best known in Thailand for meditation practice. There are almost 200 temples around the world which follow the meditation approach practiced here. It provides a quiet and peaceful atmosphere ideal for practicing meditation.
Wat Nong Pa Phong (Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand)
The almost interesting architectural structures in the compound is the modern and practical ubosot, a congregation hall in a northeastern-cum-contemporary style. The raised base of the building is used to store rain water. Inside the hall are sculpted depictions of Luang Phor Chah’s daily practice. The Phra Photiyan Museum houses archaeological finds around the regions in Thailand and it also serves as an educational center for the natives. It features bronzeware, Ubon woven cloth, Luang Phor Chah’s wax statue and a coffin with accent of mother of pearl containing Luang Phor Chah’s relics.
Devotee paying respect to Ajahn Chah (The Phra Photiyan Museum, Wat Nong Pa Phong)
Ajahn Chah was born on 17 June 1918 near Ubon Ratchathani in the Isan region of northeast Thailand. His family were subsistence farmers. As is traditional, Ajahn Chah entered the monastery as a novice at the age of nine, where, during a three-year stay, he learned to read and write. He left the monastery to help his family on the farm, but later returned to monastic life on 16 April 1939, seeking ordination as a Theravadan monk (or bhikku). For the next seven years Ajahn Chah practiced in the style of an ascetic monk in the austere Forest Tradition, spending his time in forests, caves and cremation grounds.
A coffin with accent of mother of pearl containing Luang Phor Chah’s relics (Wat Nong Pa Phong)
The monks of this tradition keep very strictly to the original monastic rule laid down by the Buddha known as the vinaya. In the Thai Forest Tradition monks and nuns go further and observe the ‘one eaters practice’, whereby they only eat one meal during the morning. More than one million people, including the Thai royal family, attended Ajahn Chah’s funeral in 1992. He left behind a legacy of dhamma talks, students, and monasteries. Relics of the venerable Luang Phor Chah are enshrined in a northeastern-Lanna (northern Thai) sytle pagoda situated within the temple grounds.
Relics of Luang Phor Chah are enshrined in a northeastern Lanna-style pagoda
There are two monasteries in Thailand founded by Luang Phor Chah Suphattho (Ajahn Chah Subhaddo), Wat Nong Pa Phong and Wat Pah Nanachat, provide a special opportunity for non-Thai speakers to find out more about Buddhism and to experience the insight meditation (Vipassana-style of meditation). For those interested, it is recommended that you can pay a visit to the temple of your choice and discuss with foreign monks beforehand. The participation in the meditation course may require some commitments.
International Branch Monasteries of Wat Nongpahpong:
5 in United Kingdom/ 4 in Auatralia / 3 in Canada/ 2 in New Zealand and/ 1 in France, Italy, Switzerland
Ajahn Chah’s words of wisdom (Wat Nong Pa Phong)
Contact Information:
Wat Nong Pa Phong
(Luang Por Liem Thitadhammo; the present abbot of the temple)
Tambon Nonpueng Ampher Warinchamrab
Ubon Ratchathani Province
www.ajahn-Chah.org
www.watnongpahpong.org
www.watpahnanachat.org
Email: dhamma@ajahn-chah.org
Tel:(66)45267563
Facimile: (66)45268084
Wat Pah Nanachat (around 8km from Wat Nong Pa Phong)
Address: Wat Pah Nanachat, Bahn Bung Wai, Ampher Warin Chamrab, Ubon Rachathani 34310 THAILAND
Getting There:
Wat Nong Pa Phong is located on Highway No. 2178 about 6 kilometers from Ubon Ratchathani’s city.
A northeastern Lanna-style pagoda (Wat Nong Pa Phong)
