WELCOME TO

WAT RAM POENG
AND VIPASSANA MEDITATION RETREAT

VIPASSANA MEDITATION COURSE

Northern Insight Meditation Center

WAT RAM POENG
(TAPOTARAM)

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General Information

PHRABHAVANA DHAMMABHIRACH

(Ajahn Suphan)

THE ABBOT OF WAT RAM POENG

(TAPOTARAM)

The Northern Insight Meditation Center welcomes all who are willing to learn the Vipassana Meditation Practice for developing the mind. May you be happy, free from suffering, disease, grief, trouble, difficulty, danger, and may you be protected from all misfortune.

This temple, Wat Tapotaram, was built in B.E. 1942 during the reign of King Phra Jao Yod Chiangrai. It saw much development until World War II, after which the temple deteriorated for a time.

Vipassana Kammatthana or
Insight Meditation and the Technique Practiced

Mental Development is a personal experience. It does not matter if you are Buddhist, Christian, Jewish or Moslem. Nor is it important what nationality or color 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 oneself.

‘Meditation’ is the best word in English for the concept of Mental Development.

There are two kinds of meditation:

Tranquil, or Samatha, Meditation, which develops concentration (Samadhi) on one object to help calm the mind.
Insight, or Vipassana, Meditation, which develops self-understanding through Mindfulness Training.

The Teaching and Practice at Wat Tapotaram (Rampoeng) is based on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness:

Contemplation of the Body
Contemplation of the Feelings
Contemplation of the Mind (Thought)
Contemplation of Objects of the Mind

The TeWat Ram Poeng offers a 26-day basic course in Vipassana (Insight) Meditation under the guidance of a Teacher on an on-going basis. For meditators who have completed the basic course, a 10-day Insight Meditation retreat can be taken, which builds on the 26-day basic course.

For those who do not have time to join the full basic course, the Monastery offers the chance to try out the practice, but not for less than 10 days or more than 6 weeks, without special permission.

If you wish to join the Insight Meditation course offered here, please come to the administration office with your intentions, or contact us using one of the methods listed on the first page (telephone is best), and further arrangements can be made. Once you have received official permission, please prepare the following items:

Requirements

1. Your valid passport and visa.

2. One passport photo.
3. A working alarm clock or timer. You must be able to set it to increments of five minutes. (Available at temple store)
4. At least two sets of white clothing. (Available at temple store EXCEPT white underwear)

For men: Loose, modest, non-transparent white trousers and a shirt. White underwear is a must.

For women: Loose, modest, non-transparent white sarong or trousers, a loose white shirt with sleeves and a white ‘sa-bai’ (a white scarf, which is worn over the breast and around the shoulder). White underwear (inc. bra) is a must.

- Personal items (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, towel, sandals, etc.) Some essentials are available at the Temple Shop.

General Rules for Meditators

What does it mean to stay in a monastery?

Inside the monastery, the Eight Precepts are followed. Please read these in the ‘Opening Ceremony’ section. The following points should also be noted:

1. You and your clothing must always be clean, proper and hygienic. You need to wear white clothing day and night.

2. Keep your room neat and tidy.

(The First Precept, to refrain from destroying living creatures, implies that we shouldn’t create situations in which it is easy to destroy living creatures. Having food attracts insects and animals to our rooms, so we should refrain from having it there, since it makes the First Precept easier for us to break.)

3. Keep the bathroom and toilet clean, in order to prevent fungi and bacteria.

4.Meditators are not allowed to talk about their personal meditation practice or experience. Do not discuss or compare your meditation practice with each other. Your experience is your own, and may not be the same as others’.

5. You are not allowed to mix the practice with other techniques.

6. You are only allowed to smoke cigarettes in your room, but it would be better to avoid that burdensome habit.

7. No kissing, hugging, holding hands, massaging or any other physical contact is allowed. No sun-bathing.

8. While taking a bath or sleeping, make sure that the door and window/curtains are closed and locked.

9. The Meditator’s rooms are for their privacy. Visitors are not allowed to enter the Meditator’s rooms.

10. Meditators should not visit others in their rooms. Men are not allowed to enter women’s rooms. Women are not allowed to enter men’s rooms.

11. No smoking, socializing, gossiping, etc.

12. No reading—this includes Buddhist books. No writing (letters, diaries, etc.). No listening to radios, tapes, CDs, etc. No telephone calls during your practice. Please switch of mobile phone during the course.

13. Meditators are not allowed to leave the Monastery area without the permission of the Teacher.

14. If you are tired during the day, you may lay down and rest in your room, but meditators are not allowed to sleep during the day.

15. Please unplug all electrical appliances when not in use, and turn off all lights, fans, etc., when leaving your room.

16. Temple Authorities reserve the right to refuse entry, or to expel anyone in the case of disrespect regarding the rules or instructions.

17. Upon completion of the course, meditators must pay respect to the Teacher at the Closing Ceremony, and gain further advice from him/her about the practice.

18. Meditators are responsible for the loss or damage of Temple properties.

19. All Temple properties must be returned and the meditator’s room must cleaned before leaving. Imagine you are the next person who will use the room. Don’t forget to return your key to the foreign office.

20. Each night in Wan Phra (Buddha Day), meditators have to join the ceremony, is called “Wain-tien” or “Padakkhina”, walking around the pagoda 3 times to worship the Triple Gem, at 8:00 P.M. in the main hall.

21. Donations are appreciated. All donations should be made at the Temple office, where an official receipt can be obtained.