[Ekrbcbvh]

Hello -

I am a novice buddhist and well studied in Tibeten buddhist studies. However, I am inexperienced in buddhist temples. I have visited Thailand many times and would like to be able to visit the Wats in a more meaningful or substantial way.

I am interested in hearing what etiquette is involved in visiting Thai Wats. Just enough for a daily visit and perhaps period of meditative time would be helpful. Also any advice on which wats to go and any other tips. I am a casual visitor to Thailand, visiting approximately one or two weeks per year.

thank you , David

[strmini]

Check on this link below to get the ins and outs of staying at a Thai temple, experienced by yours faithfully.

http://www.thai-blogs.com/index.php?...&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

[Ekrbcbvh]

stevesuphan -

Very interesting blog! Thanks for your reply. I would be very interesting in doing a retreat like that at a Wat but I won't have time for it on the upcoming trip.

However, my question is really about just the casual stop off at the Wat as I have seen many Thai people do. For example, I have seen many Thai people visit the Wat for maybe 15 minutes, light insence, pray/mediate for some time, then leave.

I would like to do this but I'm not sure even what to do with the incense, etc. So, it's really sort of beginners tourist question, in a way!

thanks!

[jdynwa]

Gor did a photo stories a few years back about what to do to go to a local temple:

http://www.thailandlife.com/tour/chedi1.html

(For people who visit ethaimusic.com, you might be interested to know that the boy in the pictures is Suthee who is the webmaster. These pictures were taken about 6 years ago.)

[Ekrbcbvh]

great link, thanks..

What did it mean not to step on the doorstep? Meaning the step in front of the door, or the threshold?

[BCVB9SOc]

It is the threshold. In the picture, it is gold coloured.

[Ekrbcbvh]

Gotcha.. This is just the kind of information I am looking for

Anything else? Also, any recomndations in Bangkok? thanksa gain..

[BCVB9SOc]

Take a look at our web site here: http://www.thaibuddhist.com/

In Bangkok, visit the Marble Temple (has very large collection of Buddha statues). Wat Pho has one of the longest reclining Buddhas in Thailand. If you get time, go to Koh Kret which has good examples of Mon temples.

Anything else you want to see? If possible, it is better not to visit tourist temples as the monks will then more likely engage in conversation with you.

[Ekrbcbvh]

Also very interesting

To be honest, I have seen all of the major tourist attractions including most of the popular Wats including Wat Pho, etc. I have been coming to Thailand for almost 20 years as a tourist at first, and now for medical treatment and to visit friends.

What I am most interested in is really simple: I just want to be able to visit a Wat and sit for some time/pray/chant. I only come to Thailand from time to time so I wouldn't have time to really get 'involved' at the Wat, but it would be satifying to go regularly while I am there.

When in Thailand, I usually stop in Phuket then to Phang-Nga then to Bangkok. I am coming again in a week.

[strmini]

Hi David;

In the blog i wrote there i stayed at 'Wat Sai Ngam', Suphanburi's most well known forest monastery.

The senior monk in administration recommends a stay of 10 day, however if you would like to just stay for the night or two participating in the evening chanting/meditating etc...tell me. I could call up and tell them that you are coming.

In Bkk, there is Wat Mahathat located right near the Grand Palace. This is a very popular temple for foreigners to go meditate. No need to stay the night.