Nestled in the serene surroundings of Bahn Bung Wai, Wat Pah Nanachat is a revered Buddhist monastery in Thailand that provides a peaceful refuge for meditation and spiritual growth, inviting all to explore its tranquil ambiance and rich teachings.
Wat Pah Nanachat, located in Bahn Bung Wai, Thailand, is a unique Buddhist monastery that emphasizes meditation and the monastic way of life. Established to support English-speaking monks and visitors, this serene retreat offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing individuals to immerse themselves in Buddhist teachings and practices. Visitors can join meditation sessions, participate in dharma talks, and engage with the monastery’s community, all while surrounded by the lush landscapes of Thailand’s countryside. This monastery serves as a vital cultural and spiritual hub, promoting mindfulness and inner peace for those seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them. By embracing the monastic lifestyle, guests experience simplicity, reflection, and a connectedness that invites profound personal transformation. Wat Pah Nanachat exemplifies the essence of spiritual exploration within a supportive community focused on mindfulness and compassion.
Wat Pah Nanachat is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking Bahn Bung Wai , 34310, Thailand
Well worth a visit. Several buildings on site but the one I found of most interest was a modern pyramid temple shrine in the forrest.
Words can not describe the atmosphere this hermitage offers. The path through the green paddy fields, the quiet gate, the earth, the mysterious-looking vines and trees and the shade underneath them, instantly attract an on-looker to seek more behind all of them, especially into one’s own heart. In my case, I thought I could joyfully go visit such a lovely place every morning, help prepare their only meal for the day with other volunteers and faithful villagers living near by. You wouldn’t even care about making merits. The mind stops on its own all kinds of calculating and making choices. You wouldn’t want merits or whatever terms people would call the opportunities to do good. All that forces us to label this or that stops. I thought that it was just a place I have been to in my previous lives. It took me by surprise. My husband and I visited it two mornings in a row. It was like being pushed abruptly into the forest pool for a few secs by an unseen yet gentle magical hand. There is so much of realness and naturalness in this experience. Back in US now, I recall that experience every day and contemplate. Who knows I had such a great fortune to be able to see Wat Pha Na Na Chat and Wat nong Pha Pong ?
This is a must go to for any foreigner if you are interested in Theravada style Buddhism (The type practiced in Thailand.) It is a monastery made in Thailand created specifically for westerners. If you are interested more in this, the monastery lets foreigners stay there for as long as they want (a few days, a few weeks, a few months or longer. With this being said, you live the life of a monk for the amount of time that you are there. The temple area is very nice too, it is in the woods and the monastery is built this way, encircled by the woods. Again, you do live like the monks, studying their style of Buddhism, so if you go there, please respect this, even if you disagree with the teachings
Situated on the outskirt of the city, about 20 mins from the city, the temple is very quiet and peaceful. It is not a tourist place, but it is for the one wanting to experience with monks from different countries. People can stay there for a while to practice meditation with the monk, but you have to write a letter informing when and while you want to stay there since there are many foreigners all years rounds desiring to stay there practicing meditation, and you have to get the confirmation from the temple to stay there, but if you want to go there offering food to monks in the morning, you can go there at 6 am – 9 am every day.
Good place to visit as a guest over several days. Recommended for devout Buddhists who wants to meditate and fight the kilesas. Not a tourist temple.
The place is very peaceful and cozy. Many big trees make it cool and pleasant. The temple have meditation service where the pilgrims need to apply for. Nice place to recharge yourself from busy daily life.
This is not a tourist place directly .But it is a place to practice Dharma. Please compile, respect and follow the rules. Very peaceful and relaxing place with big trees.
Very near the temple with the Ajahn Chah museum, this beautiful temple has sayings of Ajahn Chah posted on trees. It’s a peaceful and spiritual place to sit, walk around, meditate, admire the architecture, and take photos, all of which I did happily and reverently there. It was an honor, privilege and pleasure to be there and I’m so glad that my local friend brought me here.
A beautiful monastery to soothe the soul! The monastery is peaceful, serene, with a peaceful forest and many places to meditate for dedicated practitioners. The sounds of the forest soothe and support relaxation. A wonderful place to take in Buddhist teachings as offered by Ajahn Chah. Day visitors are welcome, but there is no formal interaction with the monks. Appropriate dress: WM: long skirt/pants, 3/4 length white shirt (no shoulders bared). If you come to help prepare the morning offering meal for the monks arrive at 6:30 – 6:45AM. You can partake in the prep and the monastery meditation in the Dharma Hall after the prep. You can then partake in the meal (following the monks and residential practitioners) as lay people eat last. ***Note: If you visit for the day, make sure to book a taxi BEFORE you come to take you back to the city and hotel at the end of the day. (Also bring water and snacks) This monastery is far out of town and there are no real services. We tried to use the taxi service suggested (phone # 045-265-99) but they never picked up. Gates to the monastery lock at 6PM and there are no services once the local vendors close down their wares.
I visited at the end of August. Normally I would stay with the monks and practice but didn’t write in time so had to settle for day visits. Traditional and the real deal. If you want to see or experience a forest monastery then this and Wat Nong Pah Pong are the real thing. Yes there are many around Thailand but the forest here is deep and tranquil, flat so easy to walk around. It was very hot in August and wasn’t the best time to go. I didn’t have a car so I took the train to Bung Wai from Ubon and walked 2 klmters to the monastery. It was lovely to walk in through the gates to a calm cool forest, from the intense heat outside,, seeing the sayings of Achan Chah posted everywhere.The train runs three times a day and takes only ten minutes and costs 2 baht. It also returns three times a day back to Ubon. I couldn’t get there early enough for the meal but came about 1 pm when it was quiet and stayed for a couple of hours meditating and walking around. Outside the gates is a lovely huge lotus pond. Yes lotuses not water lilies!. The biggest pond I have seen with lotuses in full blossom, half blossom and some just emerging from the water, There are several convenience stores, small markets and an outdoor market only a kilometer away, if you need something to drink or eat, or if you needed to make an offering. This was very handy.