Learning Meditation in Thailand
FREE Provided by School of Life Foundation
Vo My Khai Hoan (Anna)
Stephanie Kuo
Ong, a 25-year-old employee in the IT field
Dr. Esra ÖZSÜER
Impressions from visitors to the Spiritual Life Exhibition at Wat Arun.
Hanno Soth
Dr. Robert Goldman
Antonio (Tony) Schiena
Why Meditation Can Cure Depression?
Spiritual Life & Meditation Teaching by Meditation Master Acharavadee Wongsakon
Where Is The Soul? Where Do We Go After Death?
WHY? is Buddha not for tattoo
WHAT IS MEDITATION?
Who is THE BUDDHA?
Real Vipassana meditation is the ultimate journey to within
Vipassana Master Acharavadee Wongsakon Receives Outstanding Individual Award, and Manisakarn Hall Wins Outstanding Museum Award for 2024
Embracing a journey of inner peace
The Ceremony at Saengdhambodhiyan Hat Yai, Songkhla 2025
Global Icons Return for Vipassana Practice
TOP DOCTOR MAGAZINE – Cover Story Master Acharavadee Wongsakon
“Bodhidhammayan” means the knowledge of the purification of the Mind through Vipassana meditation to attain enlightenment. The practice is immensely powerful in burning and getting rid of deep-rooted mental impurities, leading to the Ultimate Truth and Nirvana.
Bodhidhammayan
From the time Master Acharavadee Wongsakon began practicing Vipassana meditation as a student of Master S. N. Goenka when she was a businesswoman, the test for her commitment to spiritual liberation has begun.
After 4,000 hours of practice for six years, one day, during her meditation, she learned from Venerable Somdej Phra Puttajarn Toh Phrommarangsi, a highly revered monk who passed away for over a hundred years, the way to ignite the fire element in the body to destroy the Impurity Force (Kilesa in Pali). When she practiced as instructed, she found an amazing result; the heat occurred in the body and quickly burned the Impurity Force in her mind. This method allowed her to get rid of the impure energy such as greed, intense desires, and attachment to strong emotions. Since then, she has adopted the technique while incorporating complete consciousness and equanimity – the basis of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness – into the practice.
For those who are interested in Mindfulness training, Teaching Meditation, and Real Practice as Vipassana Meditation Training can apply for training at 4 meditation centers in Thailand as follows:
3. Saengdhambodhiyan, Songkhla
4. School of Life Foundation, Bangkok
You can click to see details of the various courses at Course Schedule
Master Acharavadee Wongsakon
Meditation Master of
"Bodhidhammayan Meditation Retreat"
Master Acharavadee Wongsakon, a meditation Master from Thailand, left a business and high-society life to dedicate herself to the teaching of meditation, aiming to Awaken global morality and consciousness.
From the first day in January 2011 to now (2024), Master Acharavadee has taught traditional and advanced meditation practice to over 10,000 people and written no fewer than 1,000 Dhamma articles. These students have become the Dhamma army of the Mid-Buddhist Era to help restore and sustain Buddhism to last up to 5,000 years, and bring goodness to society and the world while maintaining a balance between worldly responsibilities and spiritual quest.
Esteemed not only for her spiritual guidance but also as a best-selling author, Master Acharavadee has written several books in English, included Awaken From Madness
For those in Thailand unable to attend her courses but keen to meet the Master, they are welcome to pay their respects on the last Saturday following each course at 2 pm. Prior confirmation and further details can be obtained from the office. Please ensure you’re dressed modestly when visiting.
Accommodations & Food
Food and accommodation are provided at no cost.
The retreat is managed by the School of Life Foundation and is sustained by generous donations.
Vegetarian meals are offered for breakfast and lunch. While most students opt out of dinner, snacks remain available.
Meals are conveniently served in the retreat’s canteen.
Accommodations are simple yet tidy, with options including bamboo beds in huts or dormitory settings. Basic bed linens, pillows, and mattresses are supplied.
* Kindly bring your own towels, amenities, and white meditation attire. (Refer to ‘meditation clothing’ for specifics).
At the conclusion of the course, students are encouraged to make a donation if they wish, and can also contribute towards food and electricity costs.
Meditation Clothing
Guidelines:
Dress Code: White, loose-fitting, and modest meditation attire is mandatory. The clothing should be discreet and non-revealing.
Quantity: Given Thailand’s hot, humid, and rainy climate, coupled with the Techo practice that generates warmth, students might feel the need to refresh frequently. It’s advisable to bring 1-2 outfits for each day of the course, allowing for multiple changes as needed.
Feel free to reach out to info@bodhidhammayan.org if suggestions needed
Forest Monk
Monks from the Theravada Forest tradition are both students and Master as well as teachers at the Bodhi Dhammayan Meditation Retreat – teaching both dhamma and advanced mediation practice.
These Monks under guidance of Master Acharavadee Wongsakon have reached various stages of Enlightenment.
Meditation in the presence of these venerable Monks makes not only for an authentic experience, but increases the level of meditation for all students.
Question & Answer
How many students typically join the Vipassana 7-day meditation course?
Around 80 – 120 students, mostly Thai students and around 10 Forest Monks
Is the course taught in English?
Course instructions are given in both English and Thai
Will there be anyone to help me get oriented or answer questions for me?
Yes we have English speaking volunteers who will answer all question for you and help you manage the week.
Why is the course silent?
You will be entering a “boot camp” for the mind. It is important for you to focus on yourself by not interacting with other students, until the last day of the course when students will have a chance to talk and exchange experiences.
Why is the course, accommodation and food free?
The School of Life is a non- profit organization formed to spread meditation, dhamma, morality and Love. We operate based on volunteers and donations.
Is the School of Life a religious cult, will I be indoctrinated?
No, meditation and dhamma is universal and nondenominational. Buddhism although technically referred to a religion, is more of a method of training the mind and shares the same code of moral and ethical conduct. All students from all religious backgrounds are welcome to learn meditation. We respect all religions.
Why must I give up my mobile telephone?
We live in a world of constant flow of energy from the internet. Giving up your mobile phone will seem difficult at first because we are all so used to scrolling on our phone, checking social media and receiviing messages. However most students by the end of the course truly appreciate the week of being disconnected from the internet. They feel a sense of relief and freedom. For mind training this disconnection is essential.
What if there is an emergency and friends and family need to get hold of me?
Please give your family the School of Life office telephone number and email and we will make sure they can reach you in an emergency.
How are the accommodations?
The accommodations are basic. Bed, mattress, sheets, small room, fan. But this is on purpose as part of the mind training boot camp. You are not meant to be to comfortable. This is a training camp. Before and after you are welcome to check into the Soul resort for luxury and comfort should you wish. The Soul Resort can also customize a mindfulness and meditation program for you in case the 7-day Techo Vipassana course is to difficult for you .
What if I cannot endure the week of intense meditation?
When you sign up for the 7-day Techo Vipassana course you must set your intention and commitment not to quit. No one has ever failed to complete this course, due to the supporting power of the Master and supporting dhamma workers.
How will Vipassana meditation change my Life?
Vipassana is the most powerful meditation technique in the world. Once you learn this method and follow the daily practice routine in the course, you will already develop a new mental strength and habit to meditate daily at home, which will allow you to deal with stress, anxiety, depression, improving you mental power and clarity. From this the world will become a different place for you and you will start to see things as they truly are.
The Vipassana meditation week requires commitment and perseverance and the result will reveal as; spiritual wisdom, clarity of mind and perception, as well as heal your mental stress and misery. Regain Power of Life, as well as being able to reduce Karma and move towards ending the cycle of rebirth. This Practice, will help you to reach the truth about yourself, this life and put you on the path to Liberation.
MAY POWER OF THE BUDDHA AND THE ENLIGHTENED ONES BE WITH YOU
