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Wat Asokaram, located in Samut Prakan, Thailand, is renowned for its Vipassana (Insight) Meditation Retreats and is one of the most respected meditation centers in the country. The temple was founded by Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo, a prominent meditation master in the Thai forest tradition, and has a strong reputation for being a serious place for those interested in meditation.
Wat Asokaram is a respected meditation retreat center that offers serious practitioners a structured environment to practice Vipassana meditation. The retreats focus on mindfulness and insight, with a disciplined schedule that fosters deep concentration and wisdom.
For those looking for a genuine Thai Theravada meditation experience, Wat Asokaram provides an authentic and supportive environment for both Thai and international participants.
Wat Asokaram Temple, Samut Prakan, Thailand
Meaning of Wat Asokaram
A temple built in ancient India by Emporer Asoka inspired the name of Wat Asokaram.
Address
136 Moo2, Tambol Taiban, Muang, Samut Prakan 10280.
Directions
Wat Asokaram is located in Samut Prakan, just outside Bangkok, which makes it relatively easy to access from the city. The temple is about a 30-40 minute drive from Suvarnabhumi Airport, making it convenient for both local and international participants.
Located 32 km south of Bangkok off Hwy. 3. Many city buses in Bangkok (including air-conditioned #7 and 8, and non-air #25, 142, 145) go to Samut Prakan; from here you can take either of 2 local buses or a taxi 6 km farther to the temple.
Some buses between Bangkok’s Eastern (Ekamai) Bus Terminal and Chonburi go via Samut Prakan; ask to be let off at Wat Asokaram (between KM 31 and 32 posts on Hwy. 3), then walk or take a samlor about 1 km south. You can see the spires and multi-tiered roof of the viharn from the highway. (People often use the name “Pak Nam” for Samut Prakan.) Telephone: (02) 3892299
Meditation System
Anapanasati is the main technique taught, though meditators are free to choose their own techniques.
The primary meditation practice at Wat Asokaram is Vipassana meditation, which is rooted in mindfulness and insight. Vipassana involves observing the body and mind in the present moment to gain insight into the true nature of reality. This practice helps develop mindfulness (sati), concentration (samadhi), and wisdom (pañña).
Meditation at Wat Asokaram follows the traditional Thai Theravada approach, emphasizing silent sitting meditation and walking meditation. The practice encourages participants to become aware of bodily sensations, thoughts, and emotions, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of impermanence, suffering, and non-self.
The 8 Precepts
During the retreat, participants are expected to observe the Eight Precepts, which are stricter than the standard Five Precepts laypeople follow.
- Refraining from killing any living being.
- Refraining from taking what is not given.
- Refraining from all sexual activity.
- Refraining from false speech.
- Refraining from intoxicants.
- Refraining from eating after noon.
- Refraining from entertainment, music, dancing, and beautifying oneself.
- Refraining from sleeping on luxurious or high beds.
Teaching Method
Discourses are given each evening. (Meditation practice receives much emphasis in the Dhamma talks.) Teachers are available for questions.
The retreat is led by experienced monks and nuns (mae chi), who provide meditation instructions, offer guidance, and give Dhamma talks. Wat Asokaram’s tradition is rooted in the teachings of Ajahn Lee, making the practice highly respected among those seeking authentic Buddhist meditation.
Wat Asokaram offers short-term and long-term meditation retreats for both Thai and international participants. The structure of the retreat typically includes:
- Sitting Meditation – Sessions range from 30 minutes to an hour or longer, depending on the level of the practitioner.
- Walking Meditation – Alternating with sitting meditation, walking meditation allows participants to maintain mindfulness while in motion.
- Dhamma Talks – These are given by experienced monks and teachers, providing guidance on meditation techniques, Buddhist teachings, and how to integrate mindfulness into daily life.
- Chanting – Traditional morning and evening chanting is often part of the daily routine, helping to establish a calm and focused mind.
Participants will maintain noble silence – speaking only when absolutely necessary, over the course of the retreat.
Meditation Teachers
- Phra Khru Palhad Mongkolvivatana
- Phra Khru Nuntapunyakhun
- Phra Ajahn Preeda Aukkavaro
Language
A few monks and nuns can speak English; the abbot does not.
Description
Wat Asokaram offers both short-term and long-term retreats. While some people attend for a few days or a week, others may stay for extended periods to deepen their practice. It’s common for participants to stay for 10 days, 2 weeks, or even longer, depending on their level of commitment and availability.
Rural setting on the coast; 120 rai (50 acres). Many species of birds, some nesting, inhabit the trees on shore and on the tidal flats. Lots of crabs, mud skippers, snakes, monitors, and mosquitos live here too. This is a Mangrove-conservative area.
It is quiet (except for the birds). Main buildings, such as the viharn (main hall), chedi (stupa), bot (uposatha hall), women’s chanting hall, and kitchen are on the shore; most kutis (huts) sit atop pilings out over the tidal flats.
The magnificent viharn contains a large Buddha image, paintings, and carved wooden doors; large group meetings and monks’ chanting take place in the main (upper) hall, smaller meetings are held on the middle level, and the monks’ eating area is on the lower level.
Size
- monks: 185
- novices: 4
- nuns: about 114
- laymen: about 2
- laywomen: about 403
Daily Routine
- Early morning chanting and meditation (starting around 4 am.)
- Alms round for monks (where laypeople offer food)
- Sitting and walking meditation alternating throughout the day
- Dhamma talks or discussions with senior monks
- Evening chanting and meditation (ending around 9 am.)
About 7:15 am. pindabat; 8 am. the meal; 9:15 a.m. morning chanting; 4 pm. afternoon chanting; 8-10 pm. evening chanting, discourse, and meditation. On wan phra and the day before and after, meditation is also held 3-5 pm.
Food
Good quality and variety. Monks and novices have one meal in the morning; nuns and laypeople eat once or twice in the morning. Monks and novices can go on pindabat inside or outside the temple; the kitchen and supporters supply most food.
Accommodations
Monks, novices, and laymen stay in kutis on the west side; nuns and laywomen have kutis on the east side. Most kutis have screens and a bathroom with running water (some Western-, some Thai-style); all have electricity.
Write in Advance?
Not necessary. It’s good to have a letter of recommendation, however.
Ordination
Men can request ordination, learn chanting and rules, then ordain as a monk. Women can similarly request ordination as a Magee (nun).
Other Information
Wat Asokaram operates on a donation basis, in keeping with the Buddhist tradition. Participants are encouraged to donate according to their means to help support the temple and the continuation of the retreats. There are no fixed fees for the meditation retreats, and people of all financial backgrounds are welcome.
Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo (1906-1961), a disciple of Ajahn Mun, founded the temple in 1955. At the request of lay followers, the uncremated remains of Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo have been kept in a coffin in the glassed-in shrine area upstairs in the viharn.
A ceremony dedicated to the former abbot attracts many people to the wat on 24-26 April; teachers present discourses on mind training in the Ajahn Mun tradition. Some of Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo’s talks have been published in English and are available here by free distribution. A small library has some English books.
Two new books in English present wisdom from great teachers of the forest tradition: The Autobiography of Phra Ajahn Lee contains incidents from his life that provide both good reading and good lessons; 1992, 190 pages.
Awareness Itself: The Teachings of Ajaan Fuang Jotiko, contains short, to-the-point advice to guide students past the pitfalls of meditation practice; (Ajaan Fuang helped establish Wat Asokaram and was expected to become abbot after Ajaan Lee’s death.
Instead, he left and spend the last 15 years of his life at Wat Dhammasathit, a small, out-of-the-way place in the hills near Rayong); 1993, 77 pages. Phra Geoffrey Thanissaro translated and edited both books; they’re available for free distribution. Eight precepts and white clothing are recommended for long-term meditators.
Deep Jhana Meditation Course (Join us)
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