Name: Wat Umong Meditation Center
Item: Wat Umong Meditation Center
Author: Send an Enquiry

Anapanasati, similar to teaching at Suan Mokkh. One is free to use one's own meditation techniques.
TEACHING METHOD :

Teachers are available for questions. Talks in English are given every Sunday 3-6 p.m. at the Chinese Pavillion near the pond. A library/museum has many books in English and other foreign languages.
TEACHERS :
Phra Khru Sukhandasila, abbot (Thai; age 56) Phra Santitthito (Santi) (German; age 50) is no longer at Wat Umong; he now takes care of a large forest center in Australia as abbot and residen teacher Wat Buddhadhamma, Ten Mile Hollow, Wisemans Ferry, New South Wales.
LANGUAGE :
One should be able to speak some Thai. Other senior monks, including the abbot, speak a little English.
DESCRIPTION :
Peaceful, wooded grounds of 37.5 rai (15 acres). You can feed the fish, turtles, and ducks in a large pond. "Talking trees" have words of wisdom in Thai and English. The wat is famous for its ancient tunnels and large stupa. Other attractions include a Buddha field of broken sculpture, a fasting Bodhisatva, a Spiritual Theatre of paintings similar to those at Suan Mokkh, reproductions of ancient Buddhist sculpture of India, and a library-museum. This last building offers many books on Buddhism and other philosophies as well as a collection of historic objects and Buddhist art.
SIZE :
monks 45-75
novices about 10
nuns about 8
laypeople about 10
DAILY ROUTINE :

A bell is rung at 4 a.m. Monks and novices are encouraged (and laypeople welcome) to attend chanting at 430 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monks and novices go on pindabat after morning chanting, then eat together in a wooden sala. Because discipline, practice, and schedule are left up to each person for the most part, self-motivation is especially important. Laypeople on a short visit can follow 5 precepts; longer-term visitors should observe 8 precepts.
FOOD :
Monks eat once or twice a day from food collected on pindabat. Nuns normally cook their own food. Laypeople can also arrange meals at nearby shops or take from monk's leftovers.
ACCOMMODATIONS :
Individual kutis in separate areas for monks/novices,nuns, and laypeople. Kutis, somewhat closely spaced, have screens and electricity; some also have attached Thai-style bathrooms (Asian- and some western-style toilets) and running water.
WRITE IN ADVANCE? :
Yes, write or enquire well in advance. Only a small number of kutis are available for laypeople.
OTHER INFORMATION :
The monastery, one of the oldest in the Chiang Mai area, may date as far back as 1300 A.D. Legend tells that a king built the brick-lined tunnels for a clairvoyant but sometimes eccentric monk named Thera Jan; paintings dated to about 1380 once decorated the walls. You can enter the tunnels to see the small shrines inside (a flashlight is useful). The adjacent stupa was constructed about 1520 over an earlier stupa (1400-1550). The monastery eventually fell into disuse, though Japanese troops were said to garrison here during WW II. Since 1948, the Thai prince Jao Chun Sirorot, now in his 90s, has been active in rebuilding and reestablishing the monastery. In 1949 he invited Buddhadasa Bhikkhu (founder of Suan Mokkh in southern Thailand) to come and live here. Duties kept Buddhadasa Bhikkhu from coming. Instead he sent Ajahn Pannananda and other monks to help set up and run Wat Umong.

Preparing for meditation course :-
1. Wear the modest white cloths.
2. Bring personal items, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, watch, razor, shaving
cream.
3. Bring necessary medicines for self’s disease retreat.
Responsibilities of the meditator :-
1. Must be in good mental condition.
2. Must have faith to practice meditation.
3. must be willing to adjust to the new environment.
4. Must be respectful, modest and posses a simple lifestyle.
5. Must not have distraction from major health concerns.
Registration upon arrival :-
1. Declaring ID card or passport.
2. Fulfilling an application form clearly.
3. To receive certificate of course completion, meditators must be sure to indicate
this on registration form.
4. Meditators also may register by mail prior to arrival at Wat Umong.
Voluntary Activities
1. Cleaning the dwelling and around the center.
2. Washing the utensils and the cloths were used by meditators.
3. Preparing table and place settings for all meals.
4. Cleaning tables and wash dishes after all meals.
Self–Training
1. Observe eight precepts strictly.
2. Do not smoke, consume alcohol or drugs.
3. Please control the body, speech and mind.
4. Please keep silence while eating.
5. Follow the meditation center routine strictly.
6. Please read books that focus only on meditation and the present meditation
retreat.
7. If meditator has tasks or responsibilities away from the meditation retreat,
please report to the teacher.
8. Maintain quietness, please do not play music with speakers or cell phones.
9. Do not use cell phones while practicing meditation.

The Schedule of Practice
Morning Section
04.00 am. Wake up Time
05.00 – 07.00 am. Chanting/Meditation Practice
07.00 – 07.20 am. Cleaning
07.30 – 08.00 am. Breakfast Time
08.00 – 09.00 am. Relaxation
09.00 – 11.00 am. Meditation Practice
11.30 – 12.00 am Lunch Time
12.00 am. – 01.30 pm. Relaxation
Afternoon Section
01.30 – 03.00 pm. Meditation Practice
03.00 – 03.15 pm. Tea Break
03.15 – 04.30 pm. Meditation Practice
04.30 – 06.00 pm. Breaking Time
Evening Section
06.00 – 07.00 pm. Chanting/Discussion
07.00 – 07.15 pm. Tea Break
07.15 – 09.00 pm. Meditation Practice
09.00 pm. Bedtime

Wat Umong Meditation Center

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