Excursion Description:

Participants will have the opportunity to live alongside the resident monastics at Songdhammakalyani Monastery in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, to get a real taste of what their lives are like. We will join in the chanting, do meditation, and join the dana offering at the Uposatha on Sunday morning. There will also be opportunities learn more about Buddha Dhamma, participate in community work, and join the monastics in alms round on Sunday morning. Alms round is a tradition that dates back to the time of the Lord Buddha.

This is a special opportunity learn about:

• Thai Buddhism
• The role of women in Buddhism
• Daily life in a monastery

For more details about proper etiquette at the monastery visit: https://www.songdhammakalyani.com/info/visitor-information/

Both men and women are invited to stay at the Monastery. The Monastery can accommodate 30 guests in double rooms with bathroom. Men and women will be housed on different floors.

Cindy Rasicott, who recently wrote the book, This Fresh Existence: Heart Teachings from Bhikkhuni Dhammananda, may be staying at the temple during the time our group is there. She has offered to introduce her book to our group. We suggest that participants buy a copy of Cindy’s book and read it as preparation for the Monastery stay. https://cindyrasicot.com/books/

What makes this Songdhammakalyani Monastery stay special/unique?

Songdhammakalyani Monastery is the first monastery in Thailand built exclusively for fully ordained female monks, bhikkhunis. Venerable Dhammananda was the first woman in Thailand to be fully ordained as a Theravadin bhikkhuni, so she has a lot to share with visitors interested in Buddhism. She has done a lot for the women of Thailand. The Monastery is also home to the magnificent Medicine Buddha statue. For more details on the statue, please consult their website: https://www.songdhammakalyani.com/monastery/the-medicine-buddha/

Logistics:

Each participant needs to arrange and pay for their own transportation to Bangkok. The Monastery will arrange for a van to pick up our Lifelong Learning Payap group at 2:00 p.m at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok (the airport closest to Nakhon Pathom). The exact meeting location point will be announced later to those who are registered for the trip.

We set the meeting time in Bangkok for 14:00 (2:00 p.m.) because we are recommending that those who want to travel together take the following Thai Airways flights: TG105 on Saturday, 18 January, 2025, which leaves Chiang Mai at 12:15 p.m. and arrives at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 13:35 (1:35 p.m.); and the return flight from Suvarnabhumi Airport on Monday, 20 January at 19:05 (7:05 p.m.) which arrives at Chiang Mai at 20:25 (8:25 p.m.). These times work well with our planned schedule at the Monastery.

If you prefer, Khun Nui at CNX P&P Travel can arrange your flight for you. Email her at cnxpptravel@gmail.com or telephone her at 081-9607071. She advises that since this excursion will be during the high tourist season, you should book your tickets now.

Here is the flight itinerary we are recommending:

TG105     18JAN     CNX-BKK     12.15-13.35
TG120     20JAN     BKK-CNX     19.05-20.25

CNX P&P Travel:

243-245 Tha Phae Road, Chang Khlan District
Muang Chiang Mai, Thailand 50100
Phone: +66 (0)53 272545
Email: cnxpptravel@gmail.com
Office hours: MONDAY-SATURDAY 8.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. Closed on SUNDAY
View My Map Click Here!!

About the Presenter:

The Venerable Dhammavanna Bhikkhun, has been a fully ordained female monk (bhikkhuni) for 14 years. She has always lived at Songdhammakalyani Monastery under the guidance of Venerable Dhammananda Maha Theri, the abbess of the monastery and daughter of its founder, Venerable Voramai. Venerable Dhammananda teaches dhamma and guides the bhikkhunis in their daily lives.

After Venerable Dhammananda, Venerable Dhammavanna is the senior bhikkhuni at the temple. She leads the chanting and is responsible for introducing guests to Buddhism and monastic life.

More information about the monastery and life there can be found here:

COST: 4,000 THB (not including transportation to Bangkok)

Payment is due to LLL by Monday, 6 January 2025