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[Wat Kow Tahm]
1.7 Wat Kow Tahm International Meditation Center
by Dieter Baltruschat, using a leaflet and the homepage; updated
from Steve
Weissman July 2004
Address: P.O. Box 18, Ko Pahngan, Surat Thani 84280, Thailand
Internet: www.watkowtahm.org,
E-mail: info@watkowtahm.org
Early registration recommended. Arrival one day ahead of course
between 1 and 2 p.m.
Winter season 20052006: December 1423, January 1726 (special old
&
new students retreat), February 1423, March 1322
Sommer 2006: June 1322, July 817, July 827 (old students) and
August 17-26
Location: Wat Kow Tahm is beautifully situated on a wooded hill near
the village of
Ban Khai on the well-known holiday island Ko Phangan. It is not too
large, cosy,
and has lovely vistas of the island and the sea. Basically it
consists of the meditation
hall, kitchen, and several small dorms for the part icipants, washing
facilities and huts
for the monks and nuns.
How to get there: From Bangkok by train or plane to Surat Thani. The
train ride
takes approx. 13 h. The 2nd class sleeper is recommended (reserve!).
From Surat
Thani or Phun Phin (train station) to the ferry pier and by ferry to
Ko Phangan.
Purchase of a combined train/ferry ticket is recommended. It is
faster to fly directly
from Bangkok to Ko Samui and take the ferry to Ko Phangan. There
are two ferry
routes from Ko Samui to Ko Phangan: one from Nathon and a shorter
from Big
Buddha Beach, the latter of which is much closer to the airport.
From Thong Sala pier
take a taxi or motorbike taxi. Since some taxi drivers do not go up
the bit from the
main road to the Wat, you may have to walk it, but it is fairly
short.
Teacher: Rosemary and Steve Weissman have been teaching since 1988.
The
atmosphere is pleasant and in three interviews meditators receive
very helpful advice
for practice and everyday problems.
Course and duration of retreat: A course usually runs 10 days. The
program
includes insight meditation (in all body positions), development of
loving kindness,
reflections, stretching exercises in the morning, and quite
interesting lectures. For
former students of Rosemary and Steve Weissman a 20-day course is
held every
two years. Sometimes, after the 10 days, there is a possibility of
staying on for a few
days in the monastery to end the course with a reduced program.
Language(s): English.
Costs and shopping: The 10-days course fee of 4000 Baht covers the
cost of
lodging and food. Further donations are welcome. Daily necessities
can be bought in
Thong Sala (the ferry port). Before the retreat, buy flashlight,
flip-flops, water bottle,
insect repellant, detergent, and toiletries.
Accommodation and food: Rather small dorms. Bath and toilet are set
apart from
the quarters. Laundry facilities exist. Men and women are in
separate quarters. Bunk
beds with thin straw mattresses. Blankets, mosquito nets, pillows
for sleeping and for
meditation and pads for sitting can be borrowed. A sleeping bag can
be part icularly
useful during the cooler season. Persons with back problems should
bring a good
quality sleep pad. Outside retreat times no overnight stays
possible.
Excellent Asian cuisine (self-service). Breakfast, lunch with rice
and two to three
vegetarian dishes and fruit in the evening. Drinking water
available.
Medical care: Very good by Asian standards. This area is not
considered
contaminated with malaria, but in other part s of Thailand malaria is
endemic.
Rules: All part icipants commit themselves to stay for the entire
retreat, to adhere to
schedule, to keep silence, not to read and write (except notes and
meditation diary).
Sexual activities are to be discontinued for the duration of the
retreat and the five
silas (moral practice precepts) to be adhered to. Clothes should be
comfortable and
decent (no shorts and tank tops). Each part icipant is expected to
assume a task
serving the community (e.g. sweeping, cleaning baths).
Climate and best time to go: January, February, March. During the
main season
from December to February and in July / August it is very crowded.
Note: Excellent for beginners. Aside from the crowded living
quarters very good
conditions.
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