Nestled in the serene mountains of Huay Pha, Wat Pa Tam Wua is a tranquil Buddhist temple that attracts visitors seeking peace and spiritual growth. Known for its stunning natural surroundings and meditation practices, this hidden gem is ideal for those looking to experience authentic Thai culture and relaxation.
Wat Pa Tam Wua, located in Ban Mae Suya, Huay Pha, 58000, Thailand, is a sanctuary for both locals and travelers seeking solace and spiritual enlightenment. Surrounded by the breathtaking landscape of lush mountains and serene forests, this Buddhist temple provides a refuge from the bustle of everyday life, encouraging visitors to connect with nature and their inner selves.
The temple is renowned for its emphasis on meditation, attracting people from all walks of life who wish to cultivate mindfulness and learn the principles of Buddhism. Visitors often engage in meditation retreats, where they can immerse themselves in the teachings of experienced monks and practice various forms of meditation amidst the tranquility that the temple grounds provide. The atmosphere is one of calmness, allowing individuals the opportunity to reflect, recharge, and rejuvenate both physically and mentally.
In addition to meditation, Wat Pa Tam Wua offers a chance to explore traditional Thai culture. The temple complex features beautifully constructed buildings that embody traditional architecture, adorned with intricate carvings and vibrant colors. Daily activities often include chanting, morning almsgiving, and community gatherings that highlight the rich spiritual heritage of Thailand.
One of the unique aspects of Wat Pa Tam Wua is its commitment to sustainability and living in harmony with nature. The temple actively promotes eco-friendly practices, encouraging visitors to engage in mindful living and respect for the environment. This philosophy is evident in the temple’s gardens and surrounding landscapes, where visitors can witness the harmonious coexistence of nature and spirituality.
Moreover, the temple is relatively less commercialized compared to other tourist spots, allowing for a more authentic experience. Guests often express a sense of belonging and peace, further deepening their connection to the teachings of Buddhism and the natural world around them.
Visitors to Wat Pa Tam Wua can also enjoy various hiking trails that lead to stunning viewpoints, enhancing the overall experience with panoramic views of the mountainous landscape. These trails not only offer a physical challenge but also serve as a metaphorical journey for self-discovery and inner growth.
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Wat Pa Tam Wua is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking Ban Mae Suya, Huay Pha, 58000, Thailand
I was looking for a place to do a meditation retreat in a monastery in Thailand. I found Wat Pa Tam Wua on a blog and, the least I can say was that it was perfect in all sense.A very serene place, set in a beautiful scenry, amidst impressive cliffs and forest. The program is very good, being neither too laxist nor to rigorist, it leaves the person itself choose wether or not to go silent, and other such personnal choices.
Buddha encourages everyone to be neutral, not to believe or disbelieve until something is proven to be true or false
I have been on 6 meditation retreats in Thailand and cannot recommend this one.This meditation retreat is very different from other meditation retreats in Thailand unfortunately in bad ways. Actually it is difficult to call it even meditation retreat.First, I will tell you how a normal retreat looks like in most places in Thailand.You, and others, come at designated time and stay usually for 10 days ( many retreats last about 10 days). No talking, no electronics are allowed. You live alone in a modest room. You meditate through the day and have two meals. There are some teachings too.In this place however, you can come and go whenever you want. At first maybe it seems like a cool idea but in practice it creates a lot of chaos as people constantly move in and leave the place and your doormitory too.(They have only a few kuties (huts) for males so you have a big chance that you end up in the doorm with many people who really behave very differently. Some want to talk, make fun, listen to music, news etcI saw even a guy watching adult movie next to me in doorm.You are not cut from noise, sound and different impulses.People talk and use the phones everywhere.You can go and walk on the meadow and try to meditate and you will hear people talking.The abbot of this place comes before breakfast in the morning and try to be funny which looks very akward.If you stay more than few days you will hear staying him the sam jokes.Chantting are obligatory here.And you bow and chant every day how Buddha is great etc. If you are not a Buddhist it can be very disturbing. About Buddha greatness they talk to you all the time.The nature in the place is nice but this is the only good thing I can say about this place.As I mentioned I was on six meditation retreats in different parts of Thailand and consider only this place a waste of time. There is no depth here, mental rest from noise and impulses, or deep meditation. You have no chance to think anything over in peaace if you need to. It is just social gathering which you can experience anywhere.I hear from locals that abbot to take advantage of Pai (many tourists there) makes everything easy to attract as many people as he can.In Thailand most people are Buddhist but most people have no interest in practing Budhhist at all. They just go to a temple on a Buddha day (often out obligation) so temple s try different ways to attract donors.I personally think we cannot call this place a meditation retreat as it is so diffrent from real meditation reatreats where you can really make a progress and look deeply inside you.Most people who come are people who have no much knowledge about meditation or what really meditation retreat looks like.
The Monastery is a special place. In the midle of the forest and the mountains.You can stay for 2 or 10 days. You can speak or be in silence.You will learn about meditation and about life.You can be a beginner, and you will learn everything there. Is a great place to disconnect from the world and connect with yourself. As soon as you arrive you receive white clothes, a mattress, a pillow and a blanket. There is breakfast and lunch everyday, with beautiful ceremonies before it. There is no dinner but there is a place where you can buy a snack. You do not have to pay anything to stay there and on the last day you can make a donation.In was thinking about to stay for 3 days, and stayed for one week. The energy there is special.
Spectacular place to spend a few days meditating in northern Thailand.At the end of the road, deep in a quiet valley, surrounded by huge cliffs, mountains , waterfalls and caves.One of the biggest caves in Thailand is only a a couple km away on the other side of the main road
Great place overall except the volunteer. The Russian volunteer there is quite bossy which could makes our meditation not so relaxing. However, I still would recommend this place for the beginners.
The strict subjugation of women here is depressing. Teaching another generation of young men that it’s okay for women to sit behind, walk behind and be offered less food than the men. There’s being respectful of the monks, and then there’s just blatant sexist control issues. As a non- binary presenting person I was constantly being told I was in the wrong place. If you’re a cis gender man and want a pretty place to reinforce your privilege- this is the right place for you. Everyone else should keep looking.
Let’s start with the drawbacks of this place – since they try to be as welcoming and. hosting as possible, they accept everything, every time without the option to register in advance. I guess this is the way a monastery should be, but reality it makes a very crowded meditation center, with few private kutis, so a lot of people are squeezed in each communal kuti. Although the kutis are very convenient and each floor has its own 2 private bathroom and showers, and each one has ceiling fans, the more people squeezed in a kuti, the harder it gets to sleep and meditate. This place is very welcoming to foreigners and beginners, and so the atmosphere is not strict. They allow you to choose whether to keep silent or not and they allow using phones as long as it is both in silent areas. They are very soft in the discipline, which requires the meditators to be in self discipline. I would say, this works for locals, but less with foreigners who are not used to worshipping idols, minding the surrounding of the others etc. Foreigners have to understand that this is mainly a monastery of Thai culture, and so they require women to sit at the back in the meditation hall. This is the buddhist Thai culture, and foreigners must accept it, otherwise they will just feel frustration. To me it was the first meditation center experience, and it was good, however due to the overcrowding of the place, I couldn’t find enough peace of mind to meditate so I had to leave ealier than planned. It was also a good place for me to learn the local culture of the Thai people.