Opening of Samathidhammaram Centre in Samut Sakorn (June 2012)

Dear all,

There would be an official opening ceremony for held a new retreat center named Samathidhammaram Centre (บ้านปฏิบัติธรรมสมาธิธรรมาราม) (view objective of the Center’s and meaning behind its name) that is set up by Khun Mae in Samut Sakorn ( สมุทรสาคร).  Do note that for this round it would not be held in Lampang but it in Samut Sakorn which is not far from Bangkok. The event would be held in June 2012  during Wesak. Do note that the official Wesak day for Thailand is on Monday, 4 June 2012 (for Malaysia/ Singapore, Wesak is in May 2012).

Samathidhammaram Centre,
114, Moo 5, Ban Rangsaiboowa, Tambon Klongtan,
Amphor Ban Phaeo, Samut Sakhon, 74120 Thailand 

Address (in Thai): บ้านปฏิบัติธรรมสมาธิธรรมาราม , 114 หมู่ 5 ต.คลองตัน อ.บ้านแพ้ว จ.สมุทรสาคร .

Tentative program are as follows (please be advised that the final program may be subjected to change):

Date	Tentative Program
Friday, 1 June 2012  4pm  (Thai time)	Ordination ceremony (for those who are undergoing temporary ordination as monks)
Sunday, 3 June 2012	Evening and night time special chanting
Monday, 4 June 2012    (Wesak day as per Thai calendar)	6.09am Chanting and invite Buddha to open the 3 universe and invite deities and nagas to rejoice in merits. 9.00am Laying the fundation of the temple and opening ceremony of the temple. And offer dana to 15 invited monks. 5.00pm Khun Mae would also bring the group to Chedi Nakhom Pathom to circle around the chedi 8.00pm             Chanting in conjuction of 2600 of Buddha’s sasana. First, before beginning, light a candle (you may use the pink colour lotus ones that can burn for more than 3 hours). You may start with the evening chanting, afterwhich, chant the Salutation to the Triple Gem (listen to audio) for 108 times (you may use the beads as a guide)- this chanting will take about 3 hours. After completing the 108 times chanting, after chanting, meditate and transfer merits- invite merit to protect themselves. Chant/ meditate until after 12.09am of 5June 2012.  After which,  calm the mind, and then say in heart  name and full address and invite the merit through chanting  for protection and if there is any other difficulties, make aspiration may the problems be overcome. Transfer merits to parents and their kammic debtors. Make aspiration- if do sincerely it can help. Even though you are not in temple, do at home- once heart think and do good, everything is also good. It is not the place, but the heart and state of mind.View advice on self practice (for those who are not able to make it to the center)
Tuesday, 5 June 2012 onwards	Some may fly back from Bangkok, for those who are still around, Khun Mae planned to bring the group around to pray respect to various temples like in Ayuthaya.   We would share the van, food and hotel expenses. For those who ordain, everyday there would be pindapat (almsround) every morning till 9 June 2012. For those who are coming to ordain for 15 days, Khun Mae may bring the group back to her temple in Lampang.

You may choose to observe 8 precepts . 

For those who are unable to come over for long period of time due to other commitments, do try to stay till 7 June 2012- arrangements would be made to pick and send you back to the Suvarnabhumi airport (Bangkok) but kindly let us know of your arrival so that prior arrangements can be made.

You may confirm your attendance by contacting the temple or Khun Mae or dropping a message at the comment box below.

Location of  Samut Sakorn Province ( สมุทรสาคร)

Samut Sakorn is located less than a hour’s drive from Bangkok. It is a quiet province with mainly plantation and natural surroundings.  Khun Mae is aware that many who aspire to meditate or learn to chant may not be able to be away due to work commitments. Hence, the center in which Khun Mae has aspired to establish, would be located close to Bangkok. There are many daily flights to Bangkok and from there it would require less than an hour’s drive to the retreat center.

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