Wat Suan Mokkh, Buddhist monastery in Lamet, Thailand
Wat Suan Mokkh is a Buddhist monastery in Lamet in southern Thailand that extends across a wide forested area. The compound includes meditation halls made of wood and stone, open pavilions, and paths that wind through tall trees and bamboo groves.
A Thai monk founded this place in 1932 to develop a simpler form of Buddhist practice away from urban temples. The grounds grew over the decades through donations and volunteer work, evolving into a center for meditation and Buddhist studies.
The name means "Garden of Liberation" and reflects the intention to create a place where visitors can meditate through contact with nature. The grounds show a deliberate mix of Thai and international Buddhist symbols visible in sculptures and murals.
The grounds are open during the day, and visitors can explore the gardens and outdoor areas without joining a retreat. Anyone signing up for a meditation course should bring comfortable clothing and be prepared for basic conditions without modern comforts.
The toilets are designed as learning spaces and carry Buddhist sayings on the inner walls that encourage reflection on the body and its impermanence. This unconventional approach appears in other areas too, where everyday actions become opportunities for mindfulness.
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