Unable To Gain Entry To Wat Pa Ban Tat

[stanoly]

I made the trip from Nong Khai to Udon Thani expressly to visit wat pa ban tat, as I had read of Ajahn Luang ta Bua and his work with animals. . I was denied entry to the park and told I could only stay in the outer circle area. The woman at the entrance said that people were meditating . I told her I wanted to go in and meditate for an hour or so. She said I had to leave my passport and stay a week or so to gain entrance. I felt somewhat irritated as I had come a long distance and am elderly. I explained all of this to her but to no avail.

I may return at a later time for a long meditation retreat. As anyone any information about this wat? I know Luang ta Bua is very old and I see him often on Thai television. I am also wondering how one arranges a stay there. I live in Nong Kha and could easily come again.

Thanks for any help, metta, Bob

[Brucenkhamen]

I stayed there about 6 years ago with no problems, things might have changed since then, there were big crowds then I guess they can only have gotten bigger.

I think your best bet is to ask to talk to one of the farang monks, or even better write to them beforehand asking for permission to stay.

[stanoly]

I stayed there about 6 years ago with no problems, things might have changed since then, there were big crowds then I guess they can only have gotten bigger.

I think your best bet is to ask to talk to one of the farang monks, or even better write to them beforehand asking for permission to stay.

thanks, that is good advice. However, I only wanted to visit for an hour or so but was told I had to submit my passport and commit for a week or longer. There were no people in the outer area, only the usual stalls selling candles, incense. I wanted to see what the place is like before staying longer.

[Brucenkhamen]

I stayed there about 6 years ago with no problems, things might have changed since then, there were big crowds then I guess they can only have gotten bigger.

I think your best bet is to ask to talk to one of the farang monks, or even better write to them beforehand asking for permission to stay.

thanks, that is good advice. However, I only wanted to visit for an hour or so but was told I had to submit my passport and commit for a week or longer. There were no people in the outer area, only the usual stalls selling candles, incense. I wanted to see what the place is like before staying longer.

You must have picked a bad time then. If you go at meal time there should be no problem going into the sala with the rest of the crowds and share the meal, normally the living quarters are blocked off to visitors but if you ask someone to show you around it should be alright.

[stanoly]

I stayed there about 6 years ago with no problems, things might have changed since then, there were big crowds then I guess they can only have gotten bigger.

I think your best bet is to ask to talk to one of the farang monks, or even better write to them beforehand asking for permission to stay.

thanks, that is good advice. However, I only wanted to visit for an hour or so but was told I had to submit my passport and commit for a week or longer. There were no people in the outer area, only the usual stalls selling candles, incense. I wanted to see what the place is like before staying longer.

You must have picked a bad time then. If you go at meal time there should be no problem going into the sala with the rest of the crowds and share the meal, normally the living quarters are blocked off to visitors but if you ask someone to show you around it should be alright.

there were no crowds. I was the only person outside in the perimeter. A woman at one stall told me I could not enter as they were meditating. I replied that I came to meditate for an hour or so. She answered that I would need to give up my passport and stay for a longer period. I will write them for permission as this wat is located near my residence and would be an ideal place for meditation.