The Suan Mokkh In­ter­na­tion­al Dharma Hermitage was found­ed by the Ven­er­able Ajahn Buddha­dasa in 1989. Since then about 25,000 people, coming from all over the world, from many walks of life, between 17 and more than 70 years of age, have par­tici­pated in the monthly medi­tation retreats here.

The retreat allows us to with­draw from our usual ac­tivi­ties to a quiet and secluded place and devote our time to study, con­tem­pla­tion and med­i­ta­tion. The teachings and the struc­ture of the retreats at the Inter­na­tion­al Dharma Hermitage of Wat Suan Mokkh are designed for a period of 10 days and therefore we ask the par­tici­pants to commit them­selves for this period of time. We do not accept people for less than 10 days.

The med­i­ta­tion technique taught is
Mindfulness with Breathing.
(concentration and vipassana meditation)

Besides learning and practising how to meditate, par­tici­pants will get an intro­duction to some other aspects of the Buddha's teaching, including the Four Noble Truths which in­clude the Noble Eightfold Path.

In order to do the retreat suc­cess­fully, you must be really free from all com­mit­ments for the pe­riod of the retreat. All phone calls, e-mail, letters, tickets, flight con­fir­ma­tions, money changing, visa extensions etc. must be arranged and organ­ized before the retreat begins. There is no way to do them during the retreat. Your phone, tab­let, notebook etc. has to be de­po­sited for safe keeping during the retreat.

You must be in good general health, both physi­cally and mentally. The retreat is not suitable for people with mental disorders or drug addictions.

A motto of Venerable Ajahn Buddha­dasa was "Live plainly, aim high". This is re­flect­ed in the retreat's very simple living con­di­tions in close contact with nature. For example:

• The private room for your use is small, con­tain­ing just a hard bed with a simple straw mat, a blanket, a mos­qui­to net, and a wooden pillow.
  Toilets (mainly Western style) and baths (Asian style mandi) are shared fa­cil­ities.
• We'll have two vegetarian meals a day plus a drink in the evening.
  We cannot provide any extras or special diets and you may not bring any food or drink in the retreat.

Dormitory - inner court­yard and private room

Please bring

• Loose clothing e.g. T-shirt, fisher­man pants. Due to monastic custom the body should be com­plete­ly covered from the shoulders to below the knees, in­clud­ing the upper arms. No see-through clothing please.
  It is not necessary to dress in white during the retreat.
• Slippers, since shoes have to be taken off in all buildings.
• Personal toiletries, mosquito repellent, towel, hand mirror for shaving.
• Umbrella or raincoat (during rainy season).

Some purchases (toiletries, etc.) can be made during the retreat at our small shop.