iMonastery

iMonastery is an international Buddhist monastery located 73 kilometers north from Chiang Mai airport in Pa Pae district. It's a Buddhist monastery dedicated to training both foreigners and english-speaking Thai men who want to ordain as Buddhist monks.

iMonastery offers a 30-day program called "monk-life project" which is a temporary ordination training program for men who want to experience the life of a monk for a month. There is also the option to stay further afterwards as a monk. One can join the program and participate in the 3-month annual rain's retreat afterward, or stay as long as they wish after as a monk. Foreigner monks are treated well and highly valued.

iMonastery is partnered with Pa Pae Meditation Retreat Centre, and has many senior English speaking mentor and teaching monks to train new monks in the livelihood of being a monk including vinaya, temple/cultural etiquette, meditation, and dhamma.

The abbot of iMonastery is Phra Achan Naringchai, 17 years in robes.
The monastery is in the Thai Dhammakaya tradition. The main temple, located in Thonburi Thailand, "Wat Dhammakaya", is said to be the largest Theravada Buddhist temple in the world.

The tradition and meditation technique taught has been highly influenced by the Buddhist commentary "The Vissudhimagga" (The Path of Purification). Lots of variability is taught in the meditation technique so it could suit each person. Emphasis is on feeling "sabai" in your meditation.

Thai visa work is taken care of by the monks at the monastery. It is recommended you arrive initially with a Thai tourist visa (60-days), which can be extended once for another 30 days. A one-year Thai non-immigrant (R) visa can be issued if you have intentions to stay as a monk for a longer period.

Accomodation for new monks is tent under individual sala. Breakfast and Lunch are cooked by employed kitchen staff. Bindapat (alms round) to the local village is done throughout the week by different groups of monks. Many outings for the monks are also scheduled such as visits to the local village school to teach English and Dhamma to children.

The rain's retreat provides a great deal of time for daily meditation practice. Secluded private areas are available to practice at around the property. The monastery is located on 1000 acres of land but currently only a small portion is utilized. Many construction projects are in progress to expand the structures.

At 900 meters elevation in the mountains of northern Thailand, the weather is cool throughout the year and is ideal for comfortable meditation practice. Night time temperatures are sometimes below 15 C. Adequate blankets and electric heating pad provided.