Wat Pah Nanachat, Forest monastery in Bungwai, Thailand
Wat Pah Nanachat is a forest monastery in Ubon Ratchathani province, northeast Thailand, set within a natural wooded area a short distance from Warin Chamrap. It has meditation halls, simple living quarters for monks and visitors, and communal spaces all surrounded by trees.
The monastery was founded in 1975 as the first international branch of Wat Nong Pah Pong, the main monastery of the revered teacher Ajahn Chah. From here, his forest tradition began to spread to countries outside Thailand, carried by monks who had trained in this place.
Teaching here is done in English, which draws monks and visitors from many countries who could not otherwise access this kind of monastic training. The daily rhythm of chanting, walking meditation, and communal meals is the same as in any forest monastery in the region.
Drop-in visitors are generally welcome in the morning to observe daily life, but should dress modestly and behave quietly. Anyone wishing to stay overnight or join a meditation program needs to contact the monastery in advance, as this cannot be arranged on arrival.
Men who stay more than three nights are required to shave their heads and faces, a rule that applies to lay visitors too, not only to those training as monks. This is one of the few places outside a full ordination where this expectation is placed on ordinary guests.
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