Wat Ram Poeng-Meditation Center

Out of curiosity, on this trip I decided to explore further on other meditation centers in Chiangmai area. Here arriving at Northern Insight Meditation Center, Wat Ram Poeng, which is about 20 minutes of driving from center of Chiangmai.

I met up with Phra Chaibordin, a coordinator and person in charge at the Foreign Meditation Office. He took me around the center and finally led me to Abbot's office and paying respect to him. The Chief Monk briefed me on the method of meditation.

The center has an introductory booklet, it explains the method of vipassana. The practice is based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. As this is a practice of mental development, and involved with personal experience. It does not matter if you are Buddhist, Christian, Jewish or Muslim. Nor it is important what nationality or colour you are, since each person in the world is longing for a better life. The Insight Meditation technique taught here is a way to prepare a path to a better, peaceful life through clear understanding about one self. Meditation also means Mental Development, through intimately personal experience of this mind and body to understand one self deeper.

I was told by Phra Chaibordin, on month of April, there will be 100 Chinese from China, are coming to this retreat center for practice meditation. China? A bit surprise! On last year, 2010, there are 422 meditators, coming from all over the world to this center for retreat. Mostly American (57) and European (96), there are also Australian and Canadian and some Vietnamese.

For basic course in Vipassana (Insight) meditation, the center provides guidance for the practice. Welcome for those interested, seeking happiness & peaceful life, to explore and understand your own mind deeper.

May you be well & happy

At the main entrance, the big signboard shows:

Northern Insight Meditation Center

Wat Ram Poeng

Near to the entrance, there is the

trademark stupa of this center

Foreign Meditation Office for registration.

PIC-Phra Chaibordin, a very friendly monk, who briefed

me on the center and led me to see the Abbot.

Compound of the meditation retreat center

From the gate, leads to dormitory for yogis.

Place for lunch & breakfast, buffet/self-service meal

A lovely, cosy but serene environment. With tall trees

all over the place. Peaceful place for retreat

Row of kuti built orderly, with modern amenities.

Walking path to individual kuti/rooms

A typical kuti for meditator, bathroom with toilet attached

Part of compound of the retreat center.

A monk from Brunei walking and had a talk to me.

Behind is the place for lunch and breakfast

Abbot/Chief Monk of Wat Ram Poeng: Ajahn Suphan.

Briefing on the teaching, method of practice etc

for this meditation center.

Ajahn Tong, Ajahn Suphan's Teacher.

Ajahn Tong is currently Abbot of Wat

Phradhatu Sri Chom Tong, in Chom

Tong District of Chaingmai. He is the

Chief Vipassana Master of the Northern

Region of Thailand. One of the most

respectable meditation teachers in

Thailand.

A spectacle view of the sacred Stupa.

A female yogi in a peaceful state of meditation