When I first read these rules, I was filled with a feeling of warmth.

These are strict rules. But I have never found anything in them to be disrespectful or unnecessary.

I love these rules.

Conduct and behavior

Tam Wua is a Theravadan Buddhist monastery in the Thai Forest tradition. While visiting, your behaviour should reflect this. We try to provide an atmosphere that is friendly and welcoming to beginners and those with little or no experience with meditative retreat, while not creating obstacles for those who wish to practice in a more disciplined manner.

While at Tam Wua, guests are under the Eight Precepts, which are as follows:

1. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from taking life.
2. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from taking what is not given.
3. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from unchastity.
4. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from false speech.
5. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from intoxicants which cause a careless frame of mind.
6. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from taking food at the wrong time.
7. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from dancing, music, visiting shows, flowers, make-up, the wearing of ornaments and decorations.
8. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from a luxurious or high sleeping place.

Tam Wua will show some flexibility; for example eating fruit or biscuits in the evening, or wearing small jewelry isn’t an issue. But be aware of the behavior that is expected from you. Please show respect to the monks, the monastery space, and the practice of others. We have zero tolerance for smoking, drug use, stealing and sexual activity.

Generally, ask yourself: Is my behaviour appropriate for a Theravadan Buddhist monastery? Is it harmful to the practice of another person?

Do not:

• Do not practice yoga where you are visible to others! We understand that for many people yoga is helpful on their spiritual path. However, we ask that you remember that you are in a Buddhist monastery. It should be obviously inappropriate to practice the “Happy Baby” position when visible to monks. We are not against the practice of yoga, but provocative poses are a distraction to others. Please do yoga ONLY in your kuti, dorm room, or other private place.
• Do not cuddle, hug, hold hands with or lie down with a member of the opposite gender. This is not appropriate in a monastery.
• Do not take blankets on to the grass. The blankets are difficult to clean; please use one of the red mats instead.
• Do not take glass and ceramic cups into the Dharma hall; they get knocked over and broken. We are barefoot in that area. Plastic bottles are fine!
• Do not sleep in the garden. If you are tired, please sleep inside.
• Do not lie down during sitting meditation, or during Evening Chanting.
• Do not sit hugging your knees during a Dharma teaching or offering. This implies boredom and disinterest.
• ​Do not point your feet towards any image of the Buddha or the monks. Showing the Buddha your feet is considered rude. This goes for ANY image of the Buddha, including those on the chanting books.
• Please do not step on or step over the chanting books. Generally, avoid touching or moving anything with your feet.
• Do not stay in or near the caves after 5pm. Please return before that time. Ladies should not enter the caves, but are free to sit outside.

Do:

• Help out whenever help is needed.
• Tam Wua is operated totally by volunteers, with the help of guests. If you pass somebody carrying bags of rice, lend a hand. If someone has a stack of serving pots to wash, take one and clean it. If we all help a little, the workload doesn’t fall on just a couple of people.
• Additionally, help is appreciated during these periods:
  • 05:00 – in the kitchen for breakfast preparation
  • 07:30 – setting up the meditation cushions
  • 16:00 – leaf raking on the monastery grounds
  • 17:30pm – setting up the meditation cushions
• Be respectful to the monks.
• The monks are a direct line to the teachings of the Buddha. In Thai Buddhism, monks are respected like the Buddha himself. Please keep this in mind during all interactions. For example, do not talk during a class. During a blessing, place your palms together.
• Be respectful to other guests and their practice.
• Tam Wua is a place for people to progress spiritually, in a friendly, open environment with a focus on Vipassana mediation. Please try to avoid causing hindrances to others. For example, talking loudly in the evening while another person might be trying to meditate.
• Do clean up after yourselves.

The post 212. | Rules of Wat Pa Tam Wua first appeared on Digital Nomad Blog.

It’s Valentine’s Day and I’m spending my fifth day at Wat Pa Tam Wua.

This is a pre-written post, so I can let you know that everything is fine.

I’ll also show you how my days are spent in theory. I’ll write about the practice when I get out of there.

The timetable

This was the information I had beforehand.

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.

05:00 Morning meditation in your kuti
06:30 Rice offering to the monks
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Morning Dharma talk, and meditation class
10:30 Food offering to the monks
11:00 Lunch
12.50 Afternoon Dharma talk and meditation class
16:00 Cleaning the area and helping in the monastery
17:00 Free time
18:00 Evening Chanting, meditation and Dharma talk
20:00 Meditation on your own, or have tea, coffee, hot chocolate & relax
22:00 Rest time

In all likelihood, I live my daily life with this timeline.

And in all likelihood, I feel very good.

About the activities

05:00 Waking up & early morning practice.
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.

06:30 Rice offering to the monks.
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.

07:00 Breakfast.
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!

08:00 Morning Dharma lesson and meditation class.
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.)

10:30 Lunch offering to the monks, and Dharma talk.
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.

11:00 Lunch
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.

13:00 Afternoon Dharma talk and meditation.
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.

16:00 Cleaning and helping in the monastery.
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.

17:00 Free time
Your time to read, explore the monastery, have a quiet conversation, meditate or relax.

18:00 Evening chanting, meditation and Dharma talk.
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.

The post 211. | Temple life as a message in a bottle first appeared on Digital Nomad Blog.

The post 210. | Wat Pa Tam Wua first appeared on Digital Nomad Blog.