I wouldn’t consider myself a Buddhist, but I do love visiting the Buddhist temples around Thailand. Just the other week I went to one of my favorite temples – Wat Suan Mokkhabalaram in Chaiya district of Surat Thani, well south of Bangkok by about 600 kilometers.
Wat Suan Mokkh is a forest temple, Thais say Tudong style. One of my favorite Buddhist monks, Buddhadasa Bhikku founded it, and though he has passed on, it’s a remarkable place to go and do some walking around, taking photos, and meditating when I go alone. Here are some photos. I hope you enjoy them and visit the temple sometime…
A private monk kuti (hut) at a forest monastery in southern Thailand. Could you sit here all day and meditate? It probably seems ideal, right?
We can learn from this image of Buddha in an anorexic state while meditating. Didn’t work for him, won’t work for you. Don’t bother starving yourself!
I’m not sure what this building is called, but I’ve seen monks meditating here. I’ve sat to meditate here often.
Magee sitting for a Dharma talk by the current abbot.
Chickens and roosters roam freely over some parts of the temple grounds.
Mens dorm (2nd floor) at the main Suan Mokkh temple (west side of Highway 4).
Many paintings on the walls inside this building. VERY interesting.
Poster of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, founder of Suan Mokkhabalaram temple.
