Bhikkhuni Center, Chiangmai, Thailand

[BudSas]

Hi

I've come across this blog on a Bhikkhuni Center in Chiangmai, north of Thailand:

http://wanderingdhamma.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/bhikkhuni-meditation-center-in-chom-tong-chiangmai/

Reading the blog, I understand the bhikkhunis were ordained by Sri Lankan monks. Does anyone know much about this center and the Bhikkhuni Sangha there?

BDS

[Ben]

Thank you Budsas for letting us know about this blog.
I am sorry I can't answer your questions.
metta

Ben

[Bankei]

I don't know much either but hear that there are 30+ Bhikkhuni in Thailand now.

[David N. Snyder]

I knew about Ven. Dhammananda's temple - monastery in Thailand, but not this one. Or are they the same? If it is a different one, then it appears that Thailand is becoming more open to bhikkhunis (fully ordained) having centers and monasteries there. The full ordinations are almost all done in either Sri Lanka or the U.S., not Thailand, yet.

But the fact that they have monasteries there and practice so well and keep the Vinaya so well, is wonderful. One of the fears among some of the detractors has been that the bhikkhunis may not be protected well, may not receive support, or may not keep the bhikkhuni Patimokkha well. But all indication and evidence has been to the contrary.

[appicchato]

I knew about Ven. Dhammananda's temple - monastery in Thailand, but not this one. Or are they the same?

Nay...Bhikkhuni Dhammananda's monastery is in Nakhon Pathom (just outside Bangkok)...http://thaibhikkhunis.org/eng/

It's all good...

[David N. Snyder]

I knew about Ven. Dhammananda's temple - monastery in Thailand, but not this one. Or are they the same?

Nay...Bhikkhuni Dhammananda's monastery is in Nakhon Pathom (just outside Bangkok)...http://thaibhikkhunis.org/eng/
It's all good...

Thanks Bhante,

That's what I thought. Then, there are at least at least two temples / monasteries in Thailand with fully ordained bhikkhunis.

[dhamma follower]

Hi

I've come across this blog on a Bhikkhuni Center in Chiangmai, north of Thailand:

http://wanderingdhamma.wordpress.com/2009/11/16/bhikkhuni-meditation-center-in-chom-tong-chiangmai/

Reading the blog, I understand the bhikkhunis were ordained by Sri Lankan monks. Does anyone know much about this center and the Bhikkhuni Sangha there?

BDS

Dear BDS,

I think I know the Australian bikkhuni metioned in the blog (supposing there's only one). The last time I heard about/from her in august 2009, she was still samaneri.
Although I have never been to that monastery my self, I know (very well) a mahayana bikkhuni who stayed there for some time last dry season and was a close friend to the Australian bikkhuni. She said the bikkhunis there observe very strictly the vinaya. They don't handle money at all. All the bills are directly paid by lay supporters. Two of them go for almround each morning and the collected food will be used for the whole monastery for the sole meal around 8 a.m. There' are plenty every day. Clearly the local people are more than sympathetic to them.They don't have personal hand phone but use the collective one, kept by each of them at turns. As means of transportation, they use foot, unless being offered vehicle from sponsers. In short, they try to live a life as close as possible to the Buddha time.
I don't know much about meditation instructions and guidance there. However, from what I know, the Head Bikkhuni there is rather well known as a Abhidhamma teacher than a meditation master. She is sometime invited to deliver Dhamma talks even in well known temple for monks.
The monastery is situated nearby the forest, so during the dry season, there's possibility to practice in solitude in that forest, which seems to be quite safe.
I think that's all i can recall accurately from the Mahayana bikkhuni's accounts.

Best wishes,
D.F

[BudSas]

I think I know the Australian bikkhuni metioned in the blog (supposing there's only one). The last time I heard about/from her in august 2009, she was still samaneri.
Although I have never been to that monastery my self, I know (very well) a mahayana bikkhuni who stayed there for some time last dry season and was a close friend to the Australian bikkhuni. ...

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

BDS

[pilgrim]

I knew about Ven. Dhammananda's temple - monastery
Thanks Bhante,
That's what I thought. Then, there are at least at least two temples / monasteries in Thailand with fully ordained bhikkhunis.

There's a list of bhikkhuni viharas/centers in Thailand as well as elsewhere at http://www.bhikkhuni.net/International%20Dir.html. But its far from complete.

[Naga]

This is wonderful.
There are also a number of bhikkhuni staying at Wat Ram Poeng (also in Chiang Mai). One of them speaks excellent English and gives vipassana instruction to foreigners when the abbot is not present.

[salmon]

Hi Budsas,

I had the privilege of doing retreats there before they got their ordinations. Ajahn Rongduen is a fantastic teacher. What fascinated me most about her teachings is that she was able to explain almost the whole ahbidhamma teaching into a flowchart! (That's the chart you see in that blog) Unfortunately, everything is in Thai. And while Ajahn speaks some english, communication sometimes posed a problem.

Their basic meditation method is similar to the Mahasi style, emphasizing on awareness with every movement. They also use teaching aids related to the "Repulsiveness of bodies", mainly videos and posters. The only time the peace in that place is disturbed seems to be during big festivals like New Year's Eve. Other than that, it's really quiet and very conducive for solitude.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that this place is open for males, too. Except the male quarters is across the road in another clearing.