Vorasak and Helen Jandamit founded this organization in association with high-ranking monks of Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University to provide information on Buddhism and Buddhist meditation for English-speaking people.
A "Buddhism and Philosophy Discussion Group" meets on Saturdays from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Dharma Vicaya Hall; it's led in English by Miss Seonai (Sona) Gordon and is very popular. Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University conducts Budddhist study courses; register at the Dhamma Vicaya Hall. Current information about places to learn and practice meditation is available too.
This is probably the best source of information for finding out about good teachers in the Bangkok area. The I.B.M.C. publishes and distributes books about Buddhism, has a list of meditation centres, and puts out a newsletter.
International Buddhist Meditation Center (IBMC)
Lardprao Lane
15 Bangkok 10900
+66 (02) 511-0439
The Vipassana Meditation Centre, Wat Mahadhatu (Section 5) offers a meditation class for English - speaking people everyday. The class begins in the morning at 7-10 a.m. afternoon from 1-4 p.m. and evening from 6-8 p.m. during the class, there is an introductory meditation instruction followed by the demonstration of walking and sitting meditation. Attendance is free of charge, but donations are welcome.
There are two possibilities; first, one can come to join the class according to the period of meditation class as mentioned above, option two is for one to stay overnight at the centre if one wants to practice intensively and one is required to observe the eight precept and to wear white clothes, which are available at the centre.
Otherwise, there is a talk on meditation or interesting topics in the evening from 8-10 p.m.
Things to be prepared
You can prepare white clothes and any polite clothes enough for three days. The practitioners should bring some necessary things such as individual medicine, soap, towel and so on. The center will provide blankets and pillows.
How to get to Wat Mahadhatu
Take any bus which passes Sanam-Luang (recommended buses no.32, 53, 201, 203, aircondition bus no. 32, 39, 108, 203) or take Chaophraya express boat and get off at Tha-Chang pier, walk alongside the sidewalk, across the street to enter the temple and ask for section 5.
For more information
Please contact Mae Chee Tipsuda by calling at 0-2623-5685 or 0-2222-6011.
