Visiting wat Pa Nanachat

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Sekha
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Visiting wat Pa Nanachat

Post by Sekha »

I would like to visit wat Pa Nanachat on my way back from Cambodia next week. Does anyone know if there is a possibility to stay in a guest house outside the monastery and spend the day inside it?
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Re: Visiting wat Pa Nanachat

Post by ancientbuddhism »

You could stay in Ubon and take a taxi to Warin and then a bus out to WPN. Best to check on the bus schedule once there because if you are past that in the evenings you would have to hire some local motor-cycle courier or other transprotation.
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Re: Visiting wat Pa Nanachat

Post by Sekha »

I was rather wondering if I could stay in Bung Wai, just a few hundred meters from there...
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Re: Visiting wat Pa Nanachat

Post by ancientbuddhism »

I’m not aware of any accommodations in Bung Wai, but you could ask around there. Perhaps the nearest would be in Warin but visitors who preferred not to stay at WPN usually stayed in Ubon. I’m not sure if this was because they had better rooms or a/c.

Even without advanced notice, especially at this time of year, WPN should not be crowded and there are adequate arrangements for sleeping (above the kitchen) and bathing a short walk away.
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Re: Visiting wat Pa Nanachat

Post by Sekha »

I'll take a chance then

Thanks
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Re: Visiting wat Pa Nanachat

Post by Sekha »

actually, I don't feel comfortable with showing up just like that without writing a letter, as they ask people to do. Is it ok to do so if not wishing to stay at night?
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Re: Visiting wat Pa Nanachat

Post by gavesako »

In Thai monasteries it is completely normal to just show up because often (before the era of mobile phones) there was no communication possible beforehand. Then you can inquire if you can stay overnight.
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Re: Visiting wat Pa Nanachat

Post by Sekha »

thank you (:
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Re: Visiting wat Pa Nanachat

Post by Sekha »

I am just coming back from there

It was a very interesting experience and a very nice place. Among other things, they made me follow the monks during the binderbhat, rather a hardcore experience of Thailand.

Here are some directions do wat Pah Nanachat in case it might be helpful to anyone:

If you want to go there from Mochit, you have to book your ticket for Ubon on the third floor, counters 95 to 100. This company has overnight buses. I am pretty sure the bus of this company passes right in front of the monastery before arriving in Ubon, but it might be difficult to figure out where exactly you have to get down as there is no sign on the side of the road indicating the presence of the monastery a few hundred meters away.

You can still get down at the main station in Ubon, but if you want to save money, don't try to hire a taxi or a tuk-tuk, they will begin the bargain around 250 or 300 bahts. In this case, rather choose the bus to Sisaket, departing from platform n°12, for only 15 baht. You can have your meal in the station while waiting for your bus (I had to wait until 8:30 am). Sit near the driver and remind him to get you down at wat Pah Nanachat (they know the place). It's about 12 km out of town, not long after the bus turns right at a big crossroads.
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Re: Visiting wat Pa Nanachat

Post by Viscid »

Hey Dukkhanirodha I'm interested in your impressions of WPN.

How was it compared to other monasteries you've visited? Why do you think they want visitors to go on alms with the monks?
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Re: Visiting wat Pa Nanachat

Post by Sekha »

As a matter of fact, I have not stayed in many monasteries. I found it very friendly, open-minded and open-hearted if I daresay. After all these years the original spirit of Ajahn Chah seems quite well preserved.

They ask lay followers to go on alms round, but this is not compulsory. It is just because people give a lot and the bowls are not enough to keep everything. So the layman takes the exceeding gifts in a bag. The monks eventually put in common what they have collected and share it with a number of lay people who come to the monastery every day and enjoy the meal there.
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