Hello.

I'd like to learn about the practices of Theravada Buddhist meditation. I have readd "What The Buddha Taught" by Dr. W. Rahula and am familiar with many texts of the Buddhist Canon such as the 4 Foundations of Mindfulness. I would like to attend a meditation class/school to see how it is actually taught and practiced. I have looked over the pinned guide in this forum but I'm not familiar with these addresses. My inquiries are:

What can I expect from a typical meditation class in Bangkok? Is it just a day, a week?

Do I pay anything? Do I need to bring any supplies?

Are there teachers fluent in English?

Is advanced booking required?

Can I attend everyday, or even be admitted to a monastery or nunnery? (I'm female.)

What can we expect from the meditation class? Do you learn correct posture, breathing rhythm, mindfulness?

I've read of the Buddhist Meditation Center of one of the two Buddhist universities in the country. I don't recall its name right now. Perhaps anyone is familiar with the Buddhist universities here and how they teach meditation?

To clarify, I've practiced Hatha-yoga and Raja-yoga before. But the Buddhist teachings and exercises have more sense and appeal for me. I would like to learn the differences.

Finally, how can one have a Buddhist wedding ceremony? Who do we talk to? Who presides over the ceremony? How much would it cost? How long is the preparation?

That's a lot of questions.

Other posters will be able to give you a better idea on what's available in BKK but I recommend you join this monthly afternoon workshop, see http://www.wfb-hq.org/monthlyprogramme.html It's free, you don't have to pre register and the next one is in 2 days time, from there you should be able to get information on what else is available in BKK.

I'd recommend if you can spare a week or two go outside of BKK and join a retreat.

As far as weddings are concerned there isn't really such a thing as a Buddhist wedding. It's generally seen as a cultural event rather than a religious event in Asia. In Thailand typically the only reference to Buddhism is the couple usually give food to some monks sometime near the time as it's seen as a way to generate some good fortune.

So unless your partner is Thai or you have a lot of Thai friends I don't see much point in having a Thai wedding, and if that was the case they'd be organising all this for you. Assuming it's not just go down to the registry office and get it done.

Got it, Bruce. That's interesting but unfottunately I'll be busy tomorrow. I'll see when their next lecture is. I am interested in the meditation instructions.

I didn't know that about Buddhist ceremonies. I thought it would be the equivalent of a church wedding in a Christian country? Like you can have a civil wedding first, and a religious one later on.

So is it that a Thai wedding is fairly devoid of religious overtones?

So is it that a Thai wedding is fairly devoid of religious overtones?

Yes. Buddhist monks aren't really supposed to be involved in such things. When the couple invites some monks to their home, or goes to the monastery to give food, this is quite separate from the wedding ceremony.

I see now. I had no idea. Learned something new! Thanks.

A thai wedding ceremony usually just involves meat, alcohol, an elder or several for doing somewhat brahmic rites with white strings tying u together, pouring water over your hands with a sea shell, donations of money from well wishers, plus lots of other stuff depending on finances, area of thailand, etc ...

we had a talk with a cousin /monk of my husband's the day before the ceremony and than made tamboon at the wat and got up early to make tamboon for the monks in the a.m. .... go to the ladies forum we have lots of posts about our weddings in thailand (to thai husbands i.e.)...

bina

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