I'll review every Thai monastery I visit in this thread

[rhinoceroshorn]

I saw nobody do this before and this is absolutely helpful. This is very informal so don't expect much. I'll give general info about the wats I visit. Feel free to ask something about them.

By region:

•Ubon Ratchathani:

—Wat Pah Nanachat (Mahā Nikāya):
pros:
-good food
-good facilities
-good library
-apparently some serious practitioners
-dhammatalks in English (by Ajahn Kevali)

cons:
-many Westerners
-many laypeople come everyday
-can't use smartphone or other electronic devices
-too strict
-simple kuti (the ones in the forest have no electricity)
-community-focused
-a bit uninspiring

—Wat Pah Boom Lorm (Mahā Nikāya):
pros:
-few people
-most people are Thai
-kind abbot who speaks English (Ajahn Pum)
-you can use smartphone there
-wifi
-good kuti with electricity
-good facilities
-good food
-good library
-not too strict

cons:
-often too much work. MANY LEAVES TO SWEEP.
-not too serious practitioners

•Rayong:

—Wat Marp Jan (Mahā Nikāya):
pros:
-good food
-well-respected and wise abbot (Ajahn Anan)
-some Westerners but apparently many Thai monks
-can use cellphone but there are some rules
-dhammatalks by Ajahn Anan apparently translated to English

cons:
-many laypeople come everyday
-absurd form to join the monastery
-apparently little free time


•Udon Thani:

—Wat Pa Ban Tat (Dhammayuttika):
pros:
-only one single Westerner
-no morning/evening chanting
-absurd amount of free time, only sweeping at 3 pm and you can do whatever you want during the rest of the day
-can use smartphone
-good facilities
-there is a pre-meal before the meal
-very receptive people

cons:
-some bad rumors about the place
-MANY laypeople come everyday, like, MANY
-simple kuti (no electricity)

—Wat Phu Kong Tong (Dhammayuttika):
pros:
-few people come everyday
-good Dhammatalks by Ajahn Martin
-good food
-absurd amount of free time like Ban Tat
-no morning/evening chanting
-good kuti with electricity
-receptiveness
-mountains

cons:
-only Westerner monks
-can't use cellphone

That's all for now.

[robertk]

Very interesting!

[Ceisiwr]

...

Thanks. Could you also add if the monasteries have any age restrictions? Hope you are enjoying your travels. Are you planning on ordaining?

[rhinoceroshorn]

...

Thanks. Could you also add if the monasteries have any age restrictions? Hope you are enjoying your travels. Are you planning on ordaining?

Oh yeah, good idea.
I know Wat Pah Nanachat doesn't want old people there, that's what I heard about there.
I heard that people of any age are accepted in Wat Phu Khong Tong, as long as you are healthy. I saw an old bhikkhu and an old anagarika. I think the same is valid for Wat Pa Ban Tat. I saw a very old laywoman from France there.
I think Wat Pah Boom Lorm also accepts old people. The abbot is VERY kind.

Yes, I plan to ordain but I didn't yet find a place good enough to me. If I'll need to stay in the same monastery for 5 years, it's better choose it well.

[confusedlayman]

...

Thanks. Could you also add if the monasteries have any age restrictions? Hope you are enjoying your travels. Are you planning on ordaining?

Oh yeah, good idea.
I know Wat Pah Nanachat doesn't want old people there, that's what I heard about there.
I heard that people of any age are accepted in Wat Phu Khong Tong, as long as you are healthy. I think the same is valid for Wat Pa Ban Tat. I saw a very old laywoman from France there.
The others I don't know.

Yes, I plan to ordain but I didn't yet find a place good enough to me. If I'll need to stay in the same monastery for 5 years, it's better choose it well.

have u met ajhan suchart? I find him having equanimity

[rhinoceroshorn]

Thanks. Could you also add if the monasteries have any age restrictions? Hope you are enjoying your travels. Are you planning on ordaining?

Oh yeah, good idea.
I know Wat Pah Nanachat doesn't want old people there, that's what I heard about there.
I heard that people of any age are accepted in Wat Phu Khong Tong, as long as you are healthy. I think the same is valid for Wat Pa Ban Tat. I saw a very old laywoman from France there.
The others I don't know.

Yes, I plan to ordain but I didn't yet find a place good enough to me. If I'll need to stay in the same monastery for 5 years, it's better choose it well.

have u met ajhan suchart? I find him having equanimity

Not yet. I like him too. I hope I see him someday.

[rhinoceroshorn]

Moderation, kindly allow me to edit the first post so I can add extra info.

[DooDoot]

cons:
-often too much work. MANY LEAVES TO SWEEP.

sweeping leaves for up to 2 hours is strong form of meditation; giving up self; work without a doer; sweep away defilements

[mjaviem]

cons:
-often too much work. MANY LEAVES TO SWEEP.

sweeping leaves for up to 2 hours is strong form of meditation; giving up self; work without a doer; sweep away defilements

Work without expecting anything in return.

[rhinoceroshorn]

cons:
-often too much work. MANY LEAVES TO SWEEP.

sweeping leaves for up to 2 hours is strong form of meditation; giving up self; work without a doer; sweep away defilements

The Buddha praised little work.

Mendicants, a mendicant cultivating mindfulness of breathing who has five things will soon penetrate the unshakable. What five?

It’s when a mendicant has few requirements and duties, and is easily looked after and contented with life’s necessities.

These five things lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee. What five?

Firstly, a mendicant trainee has many duties and responsibilities, and is competent in many tasks. They neglect retreat, and are not committed to internal serenity of heart. This is the first thing that leads to the decline of a mendicant trainee.

And non delight in work...

These five things lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee. What five? They relish work, talk, sleep, and company. And they don’t review the extent of their mind’s freedom. These five things lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee.

[DooDoot]

The Buddha praised little work.

The Buddha praised certain work. For example:

Good, good, Anuruddha and friends! But I hope you’re living diligently, keen, and resolute?”

“Indeed, sir, we live diligently.”

“But how do you live this way?”

“In this case, sir, whoever returns first from alms-round prepares the seats, and puts out the drinking water and the rubbish bin. If there’s anything left over, whoever returns last eats it if they like. Otherwise they throw it out where there is little that grows, or drop it into water that has no living creatures. Then they put away the seats, drinking water, and rubbish bin, and sweep the refectory. If someone sees that the pot of water for washing, drinking, or the toilet is empty they set it up. If he can’t do it, he summons another with a wave of the hand, and they set it up by lifting it with their hands. But we don’t break into speech for that reason. And every five days we sit together for the whole night and discuss the teachings. That’s how we live diligently, keen, and resolute.”

“Good, good, Anuruddha and friends!

https://suttacentral.net/mn128/en/sujato

Again, from Vinaya:

“Why do you, sisters, neither sweep the monastery nor provide drinking water and water for washing?”

https://suttacentral.net/pli-tv-bi-vb-p ... #Vin.4.307

And non delight in work...

Yes. Non delight in work does not mean not doing work. Working with an empty selfless mind is not delighting in work.

Firstly, a mendicant trainee has many duties and responsibilities, and is competent in many tasks

Sweeping leaves for 1 or 2 hours is not "many duties". It is one simple necessary duty.

It’s when a mendicant has few requirements and duties, and is easily looked after and contented with life’s necessities.

The Buddha above praised "few duties". Sweeping leaves is less than a few duties, therefore the Buddha praised it.

Mendicants, a mendicant cultivating mindfulness of breathing who has five things will soon penetrate the unshakable. What five?

How can a mind shaken by sweeping leaves on the monastery path to (compassionately) allow people to see any snakes on the path ever attain the unshakeable? Your monastic ideas sound like rebirth in Tavatimsa Heaven.

[EmptyShadow]

Why do you prefer thai people over westerners tho? Sounds very prejudicial.

—Wat Marp Jan (Mahā Nikāya):

cons:
-absurd form to join the monastery

Can you elaborate on that, just curious.

[JamesTheGiant]

Why do you prefer thai people over westerners tho? Sounds very prejudicial.

It's his own review of a monastery, it's by definition subjective and personal.

[rhinoceroshorn]

Why do you prefer thai people over westerners tho? Sounds very prejudicial.

I don't feel comfortable at all among Westerners.
I'm currently in a monastery and I'm the only farang. I'm very happy here.

Can you elaborate on that, just curious.

They have an extensive form to join the monastery, requiring many unnecessary information.
I asked why many questions and I was told it's precisely to scare people away. They are doing it well because I really didn't stay there precisely because of the form.

[rhinoceroshorn]

I took a picture of their schedule (Wat Marp Jan) when I was there. Little free time to practice alone.