Preparation and Schedule for the Thudongkathan practice, Makkanukawiwek, Koh Phaluai, Ang Thong Islands, Surat Thani Province

Place of training – Polishing the defilements The courses organized here Those who will enter must understand the place and themselves before applying.

Topic 1:

This place is not a meditation center like you have been to practice meditation. There are no services or facilities. You have to imagine yourself going to a forest temple. There is a place to stay, a mat and a pillow (really… that’s all there is, not a proverb). Starting from cleaning the hut yourself when you arrive, taking care of sweeping the accommodation and common areas, cleaning the public bathrooms, the Dharma listening hall. There is no electricity in the hut (because this island is a natural energy island, there is no electricity. The temple has to use solar cells, which are only available in necessary areas). As for the bathrooms, some houses have bathrooms (will be provided to those who have helped build them first). Some houses do not have bathrooms. But there is one thing that can give you some peace of mind: the bathrooms are modern toilets for the present era. But since it is on top of a mountain, water usage must be very economical.

Therefore, those who will apply should not expect to go for convenience. This is an island, far from the land, on top of a mountain that can only be reached by off-road vehicle. For the 2 km walk (from the lower temple), you will understand and live according to the situation, not asking for things that you want or have, and you do not have to prepare many things that you used to have in order to live your life as you used to (if so, I recommend staying at home or going to a place that can respond to those things.

I would like to emphasize that this place is for training yourself to reduce and let go of things that you are attached to and see the truth according to the principles of Thudongkwat, etc., to be a person who is easy to live and easy to eat. Therefore, please prepare only the things that are specified, do not carry everything. Go camping.

Issue 2:

This place is a forest. Even though it has been developed into a Thudongkhatham, the forest is still rich. The huts are nestled in the forest and mountains. Therefore, those who want to apply must be able to assess themselves. If you are a scared person, afraid of many things, both animals, ghosts, darkness, and silence with only the sound of crickets and crickets, I recommend that you do not apply! Because there is only one way out, which is to take a mail boat back to the shore the next day. Therefore, you must be confident in yourself.

This place was built for meditators who want a truly secluded place to practice as a forest. No one will meet anyone. Everyone prays separately. Only during prayers, meals, and Dhamma listening sessions. Absolutely no conversation. Those with chronic illnesses should consider this by themselves because if they suddenly get sick, it will be difficult to travel to see a doctor or hospital. Even those without health problems must be mindful and aware at all times while living there to avoid accidents.

Issue 3:

This place is a place to practice reducing and abandoning defilements through ascetic practices. Therefore, those who apply to join must observe at least 5 of the 13 ascetic practices.

Wearing a cloth that covers the body

Wearing three pieces of cloth as a practice

Begging for alms as a practice

Begging for alms in rows as a practice

Eat only one meal a day as a practice

Eat from one container, that is, eat from the alms bowl as a practice

Forbid food that is offered later as a practice

Live in the forest as a practice

Live at the base of a tree as a practice

Live in the open as a practice

Live in a cemetery as a practice

Live in a place that is available as a practice

Adhere to the nesajjikang udontu

Being on living in the open is a practice. Consider staying in the cemetery as a practice. Consider staying in the available places as a practice. Observe the Nesachchikang Thudong. In the yellow section, the 5 rules must be observed by yogis when entering this place. As for the green section, it depends on the individual and the occasion. As for the clothes that should be brought, no more than 4 sets per person. **You can wash your clothes at the temple.** (But if anyone will observe Thudongkwat section 2, bring only one set of clothes. You can shower, but use only one set.) No matter how many days you practice Dhamma.

This is just a suggestion to let you know the place roughly as information for applying. Don't go looking for friends to talk to. We will not be considerate of those who do not practice and still create embarrassment for those who want to escape and practice. This place was built by those who have the only intention of liberation. Therefore, for the benefit of those who want peace and solitude, this place is for training oneself, not for going to find new things in life or to have fun camping or hiking.