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Experience Buddhist temple life at Maha Dhatu Laemsak Temple (วัดมหาธาตุแหลมสัก) through meditation, mindfulness, discipline, daily temple activities, and the practice of making merit.
Participants may stay at the temple for up to 10 days, depending on availability and acceptance by the temple. This is an independent meditation practice, not a teacher-led retreat. The temple does not provide individual meditation guidance, so participants are responsible for managing their own practice and choosing the meditation method that suits them.
You may practice common forms of meditation such as sitting meditation, walking meditation, or dynamic meditation. You are free to organize your personal meditation practice around the temple’s daily schedule.
Although the meditation practice is independent, the temple follows a daily schedule. A schedule is displayed in the common area so participants know when the different activities take place.
The schedule may include:
The schedule provides structure for your stay while allowing you to manage your own meditation practice.
When applying, participants choose the level of Buddhist precepts they wish to observe during their stay: 5, 8, 10, or 266 precepts.
The 8 precepts include the five basic precepts above, with three additional commitments:
The 10 precepts are a higher level of discipline traditionally practiced by monks and nuns in training, and may also be undertaken by lay practitioners who wish to follow a more disciplined practice:
The 226 precepts represent the full monastic discipline for monks.
You can select the level of precepts you wish to follow when submitting your application.
Sleeping rooms are available at the temple, with separate accommodation for men and women.
Participants need to bring their own:
Participants must also wear a white meditation uniform while staying at the temple. Appropriate and respectful clothing is required throughout the temple grounds.
Meditation is only one part of the experience. Participants are expected to contribute to the daily life of Laemsak Temple by taking part in simple temple chores, such as cleaning, gardening, and other tasks.
Participating in these activities is part of the practice. It encourages mindfulness, discipline, responsibility, humility, and respect for the temple and its community.
Laemsak Temple is an active Buddhist temple. Participants are expected to respect the temple, monks, workers, other practitioners, and the Buddhist traditions practiced there.
During your stay, please:
This is not a silent retreat, so talking is allowed. However, participants are encouraged to keep conversation and social interaction to a minimum in order to maintain an appropriate environment for practice.
In Buddhist tradition, meditation and the practice of observing the precepts are ways of cultivating merit. Helping with temple activities, maintaining respectful conduct, and contributing to the community are also considered ways of making merit.
The retreat therefore offers an opportunity to practice not only for yourself, but also with the intention of creating positive merit that can be dedicated to others.
The meditation retreat is free of charge. Donations are welcome and can be made directly to Laemsak Temple during your stay.
To apply, simply select the number of precepts you wish to follow and complete the application form. You will provide your basic information, and Thai Spirit Life will contact you by email within 24 hours.
If your application is accepted, you will need to bring the appropriate identification for registration:
The length of your stay can be arranged through the application process, with stays of up to 10 days available depending on the temple’s availability and acceptance.