Throughout the retreat, we practiced meditation in three different forms for a total of 15 hours. As with all temples in Thailand, visitors must ensure they are dressed respectfully. Travel & lifestyle articles, videos & podcasts, [Download MP3 | Add to iTunes | Subscribe to Podcasts]. Thanks for the comment! The name of the temple roughly translates to "field of flowers." Attachments Manage Settings Set off from the hotel alongside the guide to practice meditation in Chiang Mai at Wat Suan Dok. Wat Suan Dok is famous for its bell-shaped chedi, holding the Buddha's relic, and white mausoleums of the royal family. Wat Suan Dok 4.5 908 reviews #21 of 314 things to do in Chiang Mai Cemeteries Religious Sites Call Write a review About Temple built on what were once a 14th-century monarch's gardens. Monk Chat & Basic Meditation/Buddhism instruction @ Wat Suan Dok This is best seen and easiest to understand when viewing the hundreds of temples scattered throughout the area. Tel. © Renown Travel 2010 - 2023 All rights reserved, DBD Department of Business Development registration no. Tina and I have just returned from the meditation retreat organised by the Wat Suan Dok Monk Chat program in Chiang Mai. Mike. Today, site of a Buddhist university and a popular spot for photographers, especially during sunset. www.monkchat.net E-mail: monkchat2023@gmail.com . more, Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Chiang Mai Private Tour, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. During the monk chat in English language you will have a chance to discuss with a monk what you want to know about Buddhism, life in the temple, Thai customs and culture or anything else you are interested in. Location: Wat Suan Dok, Suthep Road, Chiang Mai 50200 Thailand. -Please note temples in Thailand are working temples. The ashes were brought here from several places in Chiang Mai as requested by Princess Dara Rasmi early 20th century. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Learn the techniques of meditation from a local master, focusing the mind and clearing the soul. Thanks for the great guide! Suan Dok Temple (Flower Garden Temple) is in the west of old Chiang Mai. Large heavily decorated gates provide access to the temple grounds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This Sliding Bar can be switched on or off in theme options, and can take any widget you throw at it or even fill it with your custom HTML Code. The tallest golden chedi in Sri Lankan style is 48 meters tall and contains the relic of the Buddha. The fourteenth century temple of Wat Suan Dok is located just west of the old city walls on Suthep Road. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. I cant believe the price is so reasonable too! These house the ashes of many of the Chiang Mai Royal Family but the largest one, just to the south, is a Buddhist relic chedi. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. 2019-08-23. However, I still reflect on the lesson of eating mindfully and try to slow down my pace whenever I eat. Inside are several Buddha statues: one is seated in a meditative pose, while another Buddha stands with a straw bundle. Finally, move outside the temple again to see the large golden pagoda on the rear side of the property. Wat Suan Dok is grand for all major official rites when the importance and scale required it. Although I think Id be a way off this kind of experience just yet! +66 5327 0452 . Wat Suan Dok (Chiang Mai, Thailand) - Review - Tripadvisor The sacred temple has a meditation center where you. Visitors are generally allowed to take photos inside the temple. 10-day Meditation Retreat at Wat Suan Mokkh - Be My Travel Muse At the retreat offered at Wat Suan Dok, we sat in meditation for a collective of 15-hours over the course of two days. As with all Buddhist temples in Thailand, visitors should dress modestly when visiting Wat Suan Dok. Are there any nearby attractions in the area? Smoky Season in Chiang Mai - yes it's smoky, so get over it! The temple site on Suthep Road was previously a Royal flower garden, and in parts, you can still see some remains of the ruins of the walls that surrounded the ancient settlement. mon wed and fri you can meet some of the monks and novice monks at the university. Can I take photos inside Wat Suan Dok? We need to know the hotel or guest house you are staying in at the latest 5pm the day before your tour or trek is due to depart. Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai. Wow! Wat Suan Dok 4.5 907 reviews #18 of 310 things to do in Chiang Mai Cemeteries Religious Sites Call Write a review About Temple built on what were once a 14th-century monarch's gardens. Just as the name suggests, this institution of higher learning targets monks who live in the area as well as any foreigners who may be interested. Before completing the below form please try 'Forgot Password or Username' above, as you may well have access if you or your company have contacted EXO before. Actual booking vouchers will be e mailed within 24 hours of your payment being received. Silence was mandatory during meals, and we were instructed not to look at each other. Monkchat Meditation Retreat, Chiang Mai - Tripadvisor These miracles did not repeat themselves for the King of Sukhothai, who left the relic in the care of the monk. Once you have done so please also check your spam folder in case the email reminder has not reached your inbox. Meditation can bring you to the happiest life. Wat Suan Dok offers a silent meditation course that is structured in a way that blends Buddhist teachings with intensive meditation practice. During my own retreat, I discovered a new perspective on life and gained a deeper understanding of myself. As this is next door to pur hotel it made it easy to visit several times. Wow! Is there an entrance fee to visit Wat Suan Dok? Silent Meditation Retreat at Wat Suan Dok Chiang Mai - YouTube Organised by the Chiang Mai campus of the Maha Chulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya University located in the temple complex, these chats also allow the monks to improve their English. Just do a web search for monkchat.net and you will find the website for the meditation and monkchat sessions through this temple. Translated, Wat Suan Dok means flower garden temple, which refers to its location. Therefore, the publisher does not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai - Tripadvisor If you have any queries or need any more information before you book please do not hesitate to contact us. Meditation Retreats in Thailand and Chiang Mai Suan Buak Hat. Eisenbach, Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, Freiburg Region, Baden-Wrttemberg Suan Dok temple grounds are open from 6:00 am. Wat Suan Dok is just east of the Old City on Suthep (across from Chiang Mai University) and is a big temple with a big Buddha, a monk chat, a Buddhist university, a meditation retreat, and Pun Pun vegetarian restaurant in the back. Within the temple grounds is the Chiang Mai campus of the Maha Chulalongkorn Rajavidyalaya university. Bebrapa stupa berwarna putih dan stupa utama berwarna emas. As someone who dislikes awkward silence, this was one of the most challenging aspects of the experience for me. Wat Suan Dok is a very interactive temple where visitors are encouraged to learn more about the Buddhist religion by chatting with the monks. Our instructor provided us with a lot of valuable insights and shared many things that resonated with me. You can learn about basic meditation techniques and the many benefits of incorporating meditation into your meditation routine on these retreats. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. This sounds like such a unique experience! Enjoy an afternoon of spiritual exploration. 7700366000099, View all attractions & activities in Chiang Mai. Meditation & Monk Chat at Wat Suan Dok - Half Day. . However, it is essential to be respectful and not disturb those praying or meditating. visit to Wat Pho(option visit early at 9 am to experience the monks early morning visit Wat Suan Dok, where the ashes of Chiang Mai's royal family are . Another location for short-term vipassana practice is Wat Umong, a forest temple at the foot of Doi Suthep. Also containing a sacred 15th-century chedi, the wat stands near the access road to Doi Inthanon National Park and offers 10-day and three-week retreats. We will endeavour to do our best to produce the experience in the best possible format". The retreat is run through this temple, but the retreat center is quite away out of town. The aim of building the temple was to facilitate the visit of a respected priest as well as provide him with a place to stay during the harsh seasons of Northern Thailand. Read our, Sacred & Religious Sites, Architectural Buildings. Wat Suan Dok was built in the late 14th century and was originally intended to serve as a retreat for a revered monk from Sukhothai - the capital of Thailand at the time. Wat Phra SinghChiang Mais most beautiful temple, Wat Chedi LuangThe temple of the Great Stupa. Noticed something different every time. Wat suan Dok is one of the places that you should not miss in Thailand Chiang Mai. Do they still use becoming a monk as a form of community service? Of the three forms of meditation we practiced, lying down was my favorite. Continue with Recommended Cookies. This is one of nice and quiet, not so crowded temple. Monk Chats - Thailand Insider document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. This gilded, bell-shaped structure stands 48 metres high and is said to have contained the legendary Buddha relic. Heres a list of affordable and top-rated Buddhist meditation retreats in Thailand that I would personally recommend. document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We are Chiang Mai travel agency in Northern Thailand, we arrange the tours in Chiang Mai, and Northern Thailand trekking in Chiang Mai, package tours and daily tours, hotel reservations with the best agency rate. Website. Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai - Tripadvisor Admission is free. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. All activities are designed to help participants find deeper meaning in life. 79871. Learn traditional techniques of meditation from a local expert, discovering how to control the breath and regulate the mind. Menu. I love the theory that our mind is like a computer; its so true. The temple area was once used as a Royal flower garden by the ruler of Chiang Mai. It was very hard not to speak for two daysbut the hardest part about it was being forced to think for 48 hours with minimal distractions. Experience the popular Wat Suan Dok meditation retreat. There is a small entrance fee to visit the temple. Then sit down with a Buddhist monk to talk about his life, gaining a deeper understanding of Thailand's cultural beliefs. Feeling refreshed, meet with one of Wat Suan Doks monks for a chat. 01/29/2017 by Kristin 46 Comments. A monk named Sumana Thera from Sukhothai discovered a relic which was believed to be the shoulder bone of the Buddha. These included sitting meditation, walking meditation, and lying down meditation. As this temple provided Monk Chat and meditation retreat too. Choose between 1, 2, 3 or 4 columns, set the background color, widget divider color, activate transparency, a top border or fully disable it on desktop and mobile. Just imagine sharing a room with a complete stranger, and not being able to speak to them at all. At that spot the Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was built in the year 1383. The other choice, if you need more comfortable or need more information, we can provide private tour with a guide for people who need more information and need a comfortable service to visit this temple and visit other important temples in the city for half day tour. Wat Suan Dok literally means flower garden temple. Spend time practicing meditation, relaxing and purifying the mind and soul. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. As this temple provided Monk Chat and meditation retreat too. This is my Third time here and I'm treating it like a refresher to get me back into good habits.Just rock up at the temple before 1pm and sign up. Removing your shoes before entering the main prayer hall is also customary. Our team of travel experts will get back to you shortly. Enjoyed reading your experience and learnings about it. Its an opportunity to sit in silence and disconnect from the distractions of the outside world, allowing you to fully focus on your inner self. Chiang Mai Tour Packages and Travel Information, "My Chiang Mai Tour" Welcome the travelers who love to travel to Thailand. Day 1: Tuesday01.00 p.m. Meet at Monk Chat Office, Wat Suan Dok01.30 p.m. Introduction to Buddhism and Meditation03.00 p.m. Departure for the Meditation Training Center04.45 p.m. Then sit down with a Buddhist monk to talk about his life, gaining a deeper understanding of Thailands cultural beliefs. Noticed something different every time. You will be picked up at 13:00. After having a vision, Legend tells us that Sumana Thera discovered a Buddha relic destined to be housed in Chiang Mai. Buddhist Cultural Exchange Programs In Thailand: A Model For . more, Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Chiang Mai Private Tour, This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. This means covering your shoulders and knees. Photo of the day: Wat Suan Dok. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. West of the main viharn numerous chedi contain the remains of the royal family of Chiang Mai. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Open grounds with some impressive structures. Wat Suan Dok - Buddhist Temple & Meditation Retreat, Chiang Mai Thailand Here is the most unique and memorial site for photographers. It was an interesting experience. Plus were feeling pretty chilled out and mindful which is always a bonus. Meditation retreat at a Buddhist monastery off the beaten path. Im not sure that I could last 2 full days in silence but it would be fun to try! Meditation practice03.00 p.m. Group Photo/Return to Wat Suandok (Monk Chat Office)I recommend this for anyone with a slight interest in meditation to those who practice regularly. Tidak boleh dilewatkan untuk mengunjunginya. Whether youre looking to get started with the practice of meditation or want a more in-depth instruction, Phuket meditation retreats can be a great way to de-stress and recharge while learning techniques you can use in your daily life. A visitor to Chiang Mai is undoubtedly spoiled for choice of things to do and sights to see. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. However, its possible that some do it as community service. Wat Phra Doi Suthep was built on this spot and housed the second, smaller piece of the relic. The front section of the temple ground was largely filled with cemeteries of the past royal household. Open grounds with some impressive structures. There were also times when I found myself feeling restless and eager for the meditations to end. until 5:00 pm. When it came time to move the relic to this newly built temple, it had inexplicably split into two pieces. Wat Suan Dok () is on the Suthep Road, west of Suan Dok gate at the west side of the moat. Not only is this wiharn quite a bit larger than those at other temple compounds, but its also open on all four sides, which is unusual for buildings of this type. In this episode, I'll walk through the entire temple area and give you a tour of the wat. Amid this sanctuary, find a quiet corner in which to meditate. blog: www.pijoel.comfacebook: https://www.facebook.com/PiJoelBlog/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/pi_joel/I take myself to a 2 day silent meditation re. These rules are typical for most meditation retreats in Thailand. 4. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch. I found that I was able to reach a deeper level of relaxation in this position, and was less preoccupied with my thoughts. We love to talk travel. 2 11 views 1 day ago CHIANG MAI Explore Wat Suan Dok in Chiang Mai, Thailand! Although we have spent several years in Thailand, we still found that we learned a lot from the informative presentations and discussions we had with the monks. In addition, Monk Chat also provides a Meditation Retreat Workshop (Concentration Meditation and Vipassana Meditation) which is the way to make the mind peaceful, and to develop transcendent insight which penetrates into the truth of life. Talking is not allowed, even to your roommate in the dorm or other participants during meals. I took a guided tour and it was well worth it otherwise it would have been just pretty structures. It was intended as a place for the revered monk Sumana Thera from the Sukhothai Kingdom to shelter from the difficult rainy seasons in Northern Thailand. This lovely temple will give a more serene setting to your practice, and is just a bit off the beaten path. Hi Priscilla, yes we will although we have been very busy recently and the audio files we made during the CELTA course need a lot more organising that with the other podcasts. Entrance fee charged for tourists - Wat Suan Dok - Tripadvisor For those who would like to know about Monk and novice or other country culture. The Meditation Retreat program is funded purely through donations, and as a guideline we suggest you leave a donation of somewhere between 200THB and 1000THB per day that you attend the program depending of course on how wealthy/generous you are. Today, site of a Buddhist university and a popular spot for photographers, especially during sunset. Wat Suan Dok 4.5 905 #17 of 305 things to do in Chiang Mai Cemeteries Religious Sites Call Write a review About Temple built on what were once a 14th-century monarch's gardens. When I have too much going on I struggle to stay focused! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Morning gong05.30 a.m. Chanting, exercise and meditation practice07.00 a.m. Alms offering and breakfast08.30 a.m. Discussion10.00 a.m. meditation practice11.30 a.m. Lunch01.00 p.m. Must Visit Chiang Mai Meditation Retreat | Linda Goes East Upon visiting the temple, one would notice the whole ground and the structure were designed different from usual temple. When Sumana Thera was living in Sukhothai, he had a vision which showed him where to find a very holy relic that had long been buried near the city. Its a beautiful site full of lots of photo opportunities. The temple was built by King Keu Na of Lanna for a revered priest visiting from Sukhothai as a place for the monk to spend the rains retreat. The highlight are Monk chat where 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Full details of the Meditation retreat workshop program are available from the Monk Chat Meditation Retreat website. Legends tell that King Ku Na invited the venerable Sumana Thera, a very pious monk from Sukhothai to bring the Buddhism of Sri Lanka to, Thus when King Ku Na invited Sumana Thera to, West of the main viharn numerous chedi contain the remains of the royal family of, Another location for short-term vipassana practice is. Once at the top of the mountain, the elephant gave three loud trumpets and promptly died. As a bit of an introvert who finds it difficult making small talk this actually sounds really good to not speak for a day or two. Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai - Tripadvisor 1 1 Monk Chat & Basic Meditation/Buddhism instruction @ Wat Suan Dok Review of Wat Suan Dok Reviewed 9 December 2021 Having arrived in the thick of the end of covid restrictions (Aug. '21), finding the old Chiang Mai was a challenge. STAFF. In the heart of this haven, guests are immersed in a sanctuary of wellness, where age-old, In gastronomy, wine pairing is revered and considered paramount to enhancing the overall dining experience. The temples ubosot, or ordination hall, is one of the newer structures built in the 1930s. It just off the airport road. I was so focused on where I was walking that I found it difficult to clear my mind. Suan Dok Temple (Flower Garden Temple) is in the west of old Chiang Mai. You can listen to the Meditation Podcast Tina and I made on the retreat by clicking the play button above.