Theravāda · The Thai forest tradition
The Buddha’s teaching as the forest monasteries of Thailand have lived it — the texts they chant, the teachers who embodied them, and the best places to go deeper. Chosen with care, and offered freely.
Today
Waning gibbous
Last quarter in 2 days, 3 Oct
Next on the calendar
Ok Phansa — the end of the Rains Retreat
Monday, 26 October 2026 ·
Today's reflection
“Alañhi vo, kālāmā, kaṅkhituṃ alaṃ vicikicchituṃ. Kaṅkhanīyeva pana vo ṭhāne vicikicchā uppannā.
“It is fitting for you to be uncertain, Kālāmas, fitting for you to doubt. Doubt has arisen in you about something that is uncertain.
From the texts
Sutta Sn 1.8 · Khp 9
Karaṇīyamettā Sutta
The Buddha's verses on loving-kindness: the qualities of one who seeks peace, and a heart without limit toward every being — among the best-loved chants of the Thai monasteries.
Verse Dhp 183–185
Ovāda Pāṭimokkha
The whole of the teaching in three verses — not doing evil, doing good, purifying the mind — remembered each year on Māgha Pūjā.
Sutta SN 56.11
Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
The Buddha's first teaching: the middle way between indulgence and self-torment, and the four noble truths. Remembered each year on Āsāḷha Pūjā.
The teachers
Wat Pa Suddhavasa, Sakon Nakhon
Wat Asokaram, Samut Prakan
Wat Pa Baan Taad, Udon Thani
Wat Nong Pah Pong, Ubon Ratchathani
The library
Texts
dhammatalks.org
Close to a thousand suttas from the Pāli Canon in careful, readable English — the Dhammapada, the Sutta Nipāta, and much of the four great collections — with introductions and notes. Free, without advertising.
Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu
Book
forestsangha.org · Forest Sangha
Nearly all of Ajahn Chah's talks that have been translated into English, gathered in a single volume by the monasteries of his lineage and offered for free distribution.
Ajahn Chah
Book
abhayagiri.org · Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery
Ajahn Jayasāro's life of Ajahn Chah — more than twenty years in the making, and the fullest account there is of the man and his teaching. Free to download.
Ajahn Chah
Book
dhammatalks.org
Ajahn Lee's classic guide to breath meditation, with his lessons in concentration, translated from the Thai by Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. Read online, or download it free as an ebook.
Ajahn Lee
Book
forestdhamma.org · Forest Dhamma
Ajahn Maha Boowa's account of his teacher's life and practice — the founding story of the forest tradition — translated by Ajaan Dick Sīlaratano. Free to download.
Ajahn Mun
Monastery
watpahnanachat.org · The International Forest Monastery
The International Forest Monastery in Ubon Ratchathani, founded by Ajahn Chah in 1975 so that people from abroad could train in English. Those who wish to practise there can write ahead to arrange a stay.
Ajahn Chah
Themes
The calendar
· Holy day
· Holy day
· Retreat