Buddhism Teaching Course For Young Person.

[Thai-Aust]

I want my 17 years old son to learn about the principles of Buddhism preferably in Chieng Mai. Most of the websites are about the course of meditation which I think a bit too difficult for a young man. The retreat we're looking for should last about 7 days.

Can anyone give some suggetions as to where is the best place to do it.

Thanks in advance for your time.

[Austhaied]

I want my 17 years old son to learn about the principles of Buddhism preferably in Chieng Mai. Most of the websites are about the course of meditation which I think a bit too difficult for a young man. The retreat we're looking for should last about 7 days.

Can anyone give some suggetions as to where is the best place to do it.

Thanks in advance for your time.

There are no retreats that i know of that don't include meditation. It forms the base of the Buddhas teachings and therefore very important to get a grasp on "the principles of Buddhism". He is not to young, there are thousands of young novice monks in Thai temples, some of them learn to meditate quite well.

Have you tried approaching the abbot at Wat Rampoeng (near Wat Umong). He may be able to suggest something.

Good luck.

http://www.palikanon.com/vipassana/tapotaram/tapotaram.htm

In addition to that try this link for more info http://www.lioncity.net/buddhism/index.php?showtopic=43061

[markwhite]

Can anyone give some suggetions as to where is the best place to do it.

You mention 'websites' so maybe you've already seen http://www.fivethousandyears.org/ which is the place where I did a retreat in Chiang Mai.

However the retreat did not include any distinct Dhamma talks, which seems to be what you're interested in him hearing. And as the other responder said, a retreat will normally feature a lot of meditation, if not nothing-but meditation.

I've done the retreat at Wat Suan Mokkh way down south from you near Surat Thani which has more of a balance of talks and meditation than at Doi Suthep. Highly recommended but maybe not what you're after.

http://www.suanmokkh.org/ret/ret-sm1.htm

[Austhaied]

I just remembered the "monk chat" program that is held at Wat Suan Dok on Suthep Rd. Could be exactly what your son is after. http://www.monkchat.net/index.php

[Thai-Aust]

I just remembered the "monk chat" program that is held at Wat Suan Dok on Suthep Rd. Could be exactly what your son is after. http://www.monkchat.net/index.php

This is probably the right activity for my son as well as any young people who have desire to learn about the basic and not too heavily stress on meditation. Thanks.

I've done the retreat at Wat Suan Mokkh way down south from you near Surat Thani which has more of a balance of talks and meditation than at Doi Suthep. Highly recommended but maybe not what you're after.

Yes, I heard about Suan Mokkh and you're right it's one of the best but it's not what we're looking for. My son can't and won't get up before 6:00 for a meditation. It's no use if he is forced to do it. Thanks.

[sabaijai]

Wat Suandok in CM also runs a very nice overnight residential program introducing Buddhism to westerners, with minimal meditation. I believe the program starts at 2pm Tues and finishes around the same time the following day.

[cm das]

Wat Umong near Chiang Mai University has a weekly informal Dhamma talk. It's help on Sundays at 3pm in the Chinese pavilion by the lake. They also have a library & meditation center there. It's my favorite temple & Chiang Mai, with quite a few English speaking monks. They do have an emphasis on meditation but through the Dhamma talks & informal conversation with monks, I'm sure a young (or old) person could learn a lot in a relaxed way.

[geriatrickid]

I was pondering your post, visited the monkchatnet site and had a long look at the pics. Then I looked at what you said about your son, "My son can't and won't get up before 6:00 for a meditation. It's no use if he is forced to do it" and see that he is a typical kid.

Monkchat might be good for a 1 or 2 time introduction just to get a general idea kind of thing, but it might also turn him off. Put yourself in a typical 17 yr old boy's place and ask yourself if you would be comfortable in a setting where you perceive there to be alot of well intentioned westerners asking stupid questions, fawning or monopolizing the session.

I suggest that consideration be given to the possibility of getting him some private time with a few monks or at least ensuring that he was in his own age and sex group. Monks respond differently when some over zealous european is reaching over and trying to touch them, then when its kids.

When I was chasing bugs several years ago in Chiang Mai, I had chaperones that were monks. They conduct themselves in a different manner when you are alone with them, they do laugh in private and also are more open. My 15 year old nephew, who is a Bhuddist (of his own choosing and for several years) volunteered to help a temple in the north with a school project last year. I think he came away with more growth and knowledge from those three weeks then I got in 1 year of university. I apologize if this comes off as snotty as it's not my intent, but I'm trying to look at this from the perspective of a 17 yr old kid and see things in his own special way. Anyways, best of luck on this.

[Grover]

many good suggestions so far I think.

And, if the son is at least warm to the ideas, its a good start.

I suggest that consideration be given to the possibility of getting him some private time with a few monks

Yes, I agree, not just any old monk but what you might call a 'spiritually advanced' one that may make an impression on him in a way other forms of teaching can not do. You could organize a translator if necessary.

[Thai-Aust]

getting him some private time with a few monks .... Monks respond differently when some over zealous european is reaching over and trying to touch them, then when its kids.

I absolutely agree with you. My son has a very good relationship with the monks at Wat Buddharangsee in Sydney. He is very fortunate to have that special treatments from every single monk especially form the abbott. Every time we came to the Wat and the abbott would have to talk to him, not only about basic Buddhism but also how to live one life in such a way.

My son refused to go to the Christian studies, he insisted me to write a note explaining the Christian thoughts are quite the opposite to the Buddhism and he had a very strong feeling about it. After 2-3 notes, the concerned teacher gave in and allowed my son to study in a library instead. I was proud that this was his own action, I did not put this idea into his head. In fact I would be more than happy for him to study every religious then he could compare those and pick the one that he thought would be most suitable for him. But it seemed I don't have to go that far!

Thanks for all of you who made very useful, practical suggestions. I'm sure this thread can be a reference for any parents who want to initiate their young ones to the Buddhism.