Introduction to Buddhist Meditation: THAI TEMPLE

Chalong Temple (Wat Chalong), SOUTH THAILAND

Chalong Temple (Wat Chalong)

The most famous temple in Phuket...during the day lots of tourists...try to visit this beautiful place late in the evening at around 9pm...then you are probably alone except some harmless temple dogs and a few caretakers....if you are lucky like us its full moon night (see below).

Chalong Temple (Wat Chalong), SOUTH THAILAND

Chalong Temple (Wat Chalong)

Tiger Cave, SOUTH THAILAND

Tiger Cave

And it goes up and up and up ... 1,376 steps to be exactly ... take your time and bring drinking water, lots of both if you are an untrained hiker (restrooms are provided on the way) ... on top, 600meters higher, you have 360 degrees surround views over Krabi province and Phang Nga bay ... try to hike up in the morning or during rain otherwise the humidity will seriously make your heart go wild :-)

For us definitely one of the most impressive places in Southern Thailand.

Little Tiger Cave, SOUTH THAILAND

Little Tiger Cave

The trick with the gong is not to hit it but to rub it ... yep, no joke: gently rub it like you would give a massage, in the middle circle from the bottom to the top, repeating it about 10 times ... by now you should hear already the hummin sound of the gong .. continue to rub stronger and stronger until the hummin becomes one of the most impressive natural sounds I have ever come across ... if you have problems figuring it out then simply ask one of the monks who will gladly assist you...

Inside the cave you will find an old burial chamber and several meditation chambers ... lots of stray dogs and cats taking care by the monks ...

The famous gong ...

Lin and Valentine

Meditation chamber with moskito nets deep inside the caves

Tiger Cave, SOUTH THAILAND

Tiger Cave

For us definitely one of the most impressive places in Southern Thailand.

Little Tiger Cave, SOUTH THAILAND

Little Tiger Cave

Inside the cave you will find an old burial chamber and several meditation chambers ... lots of stray dogs and cats taking care by the monks ...

The famous gong ...

Lin and Valentine

Meditation chamber with moskito nets deep inside the caves

Riang Temple, SOUTH THAILAND

Riang Temple

Best time to visit is the early evening from 5pm onwards ... most of the people will be gone and the sunset light makes the enormous Buddha statue glow beautifully ... you can drive up with the car and walk the last meters ... remember to come in long pants and (for women) covered shoulders if you like to see the inside of the temple (entrance fee: 20 baht).

Koh Sireh Temple, SOUTH THAILAND

Koh Sireh Temple

Located close to Phuket Town on the east side this place is a little unique getaway ... apart from the big lying buddha inside the temple you also can enjoy great views over the town and the Phang Nga bay.

Buddha Cave, SOUTH THAILAND

Buddha Cave

A short but heavy hike up the stairs pretty much in the middle of nowhere ... great views ... one big chamber with huge dripstones ... strong spiritual touch ... very secluded ...

Dragon Cave, SOUTH THAILAND

Dragon Cave

Located in Phang Nga province this cave has welcomed several visitors seeking help for fighting cancer and HIV. According to the caretaker we talked to people come and meditate inside the caves (meditation chambers with moskito nets) are provided as well as drink the home made hot tree bark tea. If required the monks will show you the buddhist way of meditation including mantra singing.

This may all sound pretty peculiar but I believe that simply the fact that you spend a lot of time with yourself without any distraction, absolute stillness within the caves and the tea as a cleansing tool is enough for many to find back to themselves and by the side loose the physical illness (that theory works of course only if you are convinced that all illness starts because of an unbalanced state of mind).

All help provided is for free, including sleeping in the caves (bring your sleeping bag, a mat and the tiger balm cream for the moskitos)... well, but donations are of course welcomed and put in a small box outside the caves.

Erawan Cave, THAILAND

Erawan Cave

A nice stop during a road trip is the Erawan Cave. "Erawan" meaning a elephant with several heads as seen in the picture below. Feel free to give a small donation into the box on the stairs. Arriving at the entrance to the cave you have a nice view. The cool air of the cave is refreshing after the walk!

A big Buddha statue at the entrance of the cave.

A beautiful moment inside the cave as the sunlight breaks through the darkness.

Nakhon Pathom Pagoda - Tallest Buddhist Monument in the World

Although it is one of the oldest city in Thailand and may have been inhabited as early as 300 BC, Nakhon Pathom offers only one visual connection with its past: Pra Pathorm Chedi, the talles Buddhist monument in the world. The 127 metre spire waSs given its present from in 1860 by King Mongkut who restored and significantly modified a structure that had lay in ruins since 1057. The initial monument at the site was erested in the eraly 6th century, the city was conquered by Suriyavarman I, a Khmer king from Angkor who built a Brahman-style prang over the existing structure. A short time later the city was sacked by the Burmese and the prang lay in ruins until King Mongkut recreated it when he built a chedi over the remains of the prang. Nakhon Pathom can easily be reached by both bus and train.