25 trees will be planted on your behalf for every experience purchased, via our partnership with One Tree Planted.
See more at onetreeplanted.org
Overview
You will go to Wat Khao Tao Temple and stay overnight there for a couple of days. The monk who will be teaching you has plenty of experience in sharing Buddhism knowledge in English before. Your assigned coordinator will always be there to help out with the language barrier and other things.
This program is designed for beginners but also welcomes more experienced individuals as well. The daily routine in the temple starts quite early, typically around 05:00 with morning chanting and short meditation, and after that, monks would start to go on Pindabat (receiving alms), then come back to the temple for breakfast at around 08:00.
After breakfast, participants will have some free time to take a shower and rest a bit before learning about the introduction to Buddhism and Thai meditation, and then followed by meditation practices. THey will get to learn how to make up mindfulness with breathing and try out different postures for meditation practices such as: sitting, walking, lying down, to see which posture will be most suitable for them. Lunch will start at 11:00 (Buddhist monks eat only 1-2 meals/day and will not eat after midday, but participants can choose if they would like to have dinner or not. In the afternoon, you will continue with meditation practice for 1-2 hours and then have some free time to practice more by yourself or help with chores in the temple. At around 18:00 or 19:00, monks will do an evening chanting and meditation and after practice, you will have a chance to discuss and ask questions about Buddhism with the monk. Please note that the stay at the monastery will be very simple, you will be given only a mattress, a pillow and a blanket.
Objectives
- Help you familiarise yourself with the local surroundings
- Provide a full induction, preparing you for a longer stay!
- Broaden your knowledge of the Thai Buddhism, history and culture
Impact
Volunteer experiences have a direct and positive impact on local communities by injecting money into the local economy through the purchase of food, transportation, and tourism activities. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the comunity and make a difference in the world. Depending on the type of volunteer experience you are interested in, your time can be spent improving educational resources and opportunities, providing medical services to underserved communities, or promoting environmental conservation and sustainable farming techniques.
1% of gross sales will be donated to 1% for the Planet-approved charities via our partnership with 1% for the Planet.
See more at onepercentfortheplanet.org
Location
Hua Hin, Thailand
Located just 280 kilometers southwest of Bangkok, Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s most popular beach destinations for locals and Expats alike. It is convenient and ever developing because it is where the city meets the sea. Here you will find scrumptious seafood, lively markets, never-sleeping bars, long beaches, and palm tree-decorated landscapes which have turned this former fishing enclave into a what is now a bustling town, brimming with anything and everything a visitor, tourist, or traveler could ever want!
Itinerary
Sunday - Arrival
- If this is your first week, you will be transferred directly from Bangkok to Hua Hin upon arrival. Depending on your previous week's program, you will be transferred to Hua Hin after brunch
- Dinner at Hua Hin center
Monday
- Introduction about Buddhism; Learn about meditation and Buddhism ethics (how to pray and kneel, how to act around monks, etc)
- Thai Language Lesson: Buddhism
- Excursion to Wat Huay Mongkol Temple; pay respect to one of the most sacred monk statue in Hua Hin and get a short introduction to Buddhist rituals
- Visit local market; opportunity to buy white clothing for the monastery.
Tuesday
- Early morning giving alms to the Monks
- Temple Cleaning - Nicothaaraun Temple
- Lub Lae Cave
- Watch a documentary about Buddha & Buddhism
Wednesday
- Early depart to Wat Khao Tao
- Talk about Buddhism
- Meditation Instruction and Practice
- Sitting/walking/Lying Meditation
- Continue with Meditation Practice
- Free time or, depending on the needs at the monastery, we may be asked by the monks to help with chores
- Overnight stay at a Monastery
Thursday
- Morning Chanting
- Breakfast + short time to rest and shower
- Talk about Buddhism
- Meditation Instruction and Practice
- Sitting/walking/Lying Meditation
- Continue with Meditation Practice
- Free time or, depending on the needs at the monastery, we may be asked by the monks to help with chores
- Overnight stay at a Monastery
Friday
- Morning Chanting
- Breakfast + short time to rest and shower
- Talk about Buddhism
- Meditation Instruction and Practice
- Sitting/walking/Lying Meditation
- Continue with Practice
- Free time or, depending on the needs at the monastery, we may be asked by the monks to help with chores
- Depart to Hua Hin TGL Center
Saturday - Departure
- Breakfast
- If this is your last week, you will be transferred to Hua Hin bus station after breakfast. If you have further programs north of Hua Hin you will be transferred to that program via Singburi. If programs are in Hua Hin or the South you will stay at the accommodation until that starting time.
Inclusions
- Shared Accomodation
- All meals included
- Free beverages
- Wifi in public areas
- Arrival Transfer (included with 2 wk+ trips)
- Departure Transfer
Options
More Information
Requirements
- minimum english levelBasic
- CRB RequiredOn signup
- passport copy requiredOn signup
- resume copy requiredYes
Other Requirements
- There are no further requirements for this program.
Food
All the meals served inside the accommodation are homestyle, vegetarian-friendly and you can expect that they will be typically Thai, including plenty of rice or noodle dishes with vegetables and occasionally some meat will be provided as well, along with seasonal fruits for dessert.
While we do our best to accommodate our participants, what we provide for most meals is local cuisine. If you are a picky eater, have dietary restrictions, or if you think that you will not be satisfied with the local dishes provided, you might want to consider supplementing our menu with your own western type foods and snacks that are more to your liking. From our accommodation and you can use our bikes to ride to a few convenience stores nearby.
Please keep in mind that refrigerator space is limited and to prevent insect infestation open food items are not allowed in the rooms.
Accommodation
Our center is located in the hilly countryside of Prachuap Khiri Khan province amidst green surroundings. The accommodation consists of spacious rooms. There is a common area with a refrigerator, hammocks and a large communal swimming pool for you to chill.
