Thai Buddhism Experience
Trip Details
Thai Buddhism Experience
Ever get the feeling that there’s more to life? Our Thai Buddhism Experience offers insight and practice in the ways of Buddhism, a spiritual path that teaches mindfulness and meditation for a healthier, happier mindset! On this programme, you will stay at Wat Khao Tao Temple under the gentle supervision of resident monks. Here you will learn about how to approach life through real-life stories, chanting and practice in the ways of the Noble Path. So, if you are curious about Buddhism and want to learn something that will really help you to live life to the full, this programme is for you!
Learn how to Find Peace in the Hustle and Bustle of Daily Life!
Practising Buddhism doesn’t mean owning only a blanket and a rice bowl! In fact, it’s a practice that you can incorporate into modern-day living, raising your self-awareness and encouraging a holistic approach to life, to others and yourself. This programme is for beginners but also welcomes more experienced individuals as well. However, note that you WILL be up early – typically around 05:00 with morning chanting and short meditation. Thereafter, monks will go on Pindabat (receiving alms), before arriving back at the temple for breakfast at around 08:00. Then, you will spend the rest of the day learning mindfulness and meditation practices, before evening chanting and a chance to ask the many questions that will have arisen over the course of the day (or indeed, a lifetime!).
Explore Thailand’s Temples, Stupas and Buddhist Museums
Following your Thai Buddhism Experience, you will have a better understanding of this spiritual path which underpins the Thai culture. Therefore, exploring the surrounding area, and its many religious buildings will have a new significance for you. In addition to its temples, Hua Hin also has fantastic places to chill, and have fun! in fact, as it is a beach resort, you’ll find a wealth of restaurants, beach bars and tourists spots to get some holiday feels in. Further, our accommodation offers plenty of great spaces, from hammocks to a communal swimming pool, to socialise with other travellers and plan weekend adventures!
Why Book our Thai Buddhism Experience?
- Gain an understanding and working practice of Buddhism
- Stay in our great accommodation, with a couple of nights at a local monastery
- Get to know other volunteers who are sharing this Thai Buddhism experience
- Enjoy Hua Hin’s many beach bars, shops and markets during your stay
- Discover authentic Thai cuisine (delicious!) with meals and beverages* included
*tea, coffee and drinking water
Get in touch to find out more or browse through our many other volunteer experiences.
Trip Itinerary
Warning: this programme can be life-changing! If you are willing to put into practice the methods taught in our Thai Buddhist Experience, you could take home with you a whole new mindset to help you with the hustle and bustle of everyday life!
Arrival
If this is your first week, you will transfer directly from Bangkok to Hua Hin upon arrival. Depending on your previous week’s programme, you will be transferred to Hua Hin after brunch
Dinner at Hua Hin centre
Mandatory Orientation Day
On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarise yourself with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your programme will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.
Orientation Day Schedule – Monday
- Introduction meeting, House rules, Setting Expectations, Health and Safety Advice and handling of documents.
- Thai Do’s and Don’ts, Thai Culture Lessons and Thai Language Lessons.
- Tour around the compound and local area where to find local shops, and arrange a sim-card if necessary.
- Visit a famous Buddhist temple nearby
- Lunch
- Visit the beach
Weekly Schedule
Monday
- Introduction about Buddhism; Learn about meditation and Buddhism ethics (how to pray and kneel, how to act around monks, etc)
- Thai Language Lesson: Buddhism
- Excursion to Wat Huay Mongkol Temple; pay respect to one of the most sacred monk statue in Hua Hin and get a short introduction to Buddhist rituals
- Visit local market; opportunity to buy white clothing for the monastery.
Tuesday
- Early morning giving alms to the Monks
- Temple Cleaning – Nicothaaraun Temple
- Lub Lae Cave
- Watch a documentary about Buddha & Buddhism
Wednesday
- Early depart to Wat Khao Tao
- Talk about Buddhism
- Meditation Instruction and Practice: Sitting/walking/Lying Meditation
- Continue with Meditation Practice
- Free time or, depending on the needs at the monastery, we may be asked by the monks to help with chores
- Overnight stay at a Monastery
Thursday
- Morning Chanting
- Breakfast + short time to rest and shower
- Talk about Buddhism
- Meditation Instruction and Practice: Sitting/walking/Lying Meditation
- Continue with Meditation Practice
- Free time or, depending on the needs at the monastery, we may be asked by the monks to help with chores
- Overnight stay at a Monastery
Friday
- Morning Chanting
- Breakfast + short time to rest and shower
- Talk about Buddhism
- Meditation Instruction and Practice: Sitting/walking/Lying Meditation
- Continue with Practice
- Free time or, depending on the needs at the monastery, we may be asked by the monks to help with chores
- Depart to Hua Hin TGL Center
Saturday
- Breakfast
- If this is your last week, you will transfer to Hua Hin bus station after breakfast. Then, where you have further programmes north of Hua Hin you will be transferred to that program via Singburi. If programmes are in Hua Hin or the South you will stay at the accommodation until that starting time.
Please note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Trip Accommodation
Hua Hin is one of Thailand’s most popular beach destinations and is located only 280km southwest of Bangkok. Hua Hin is where the city meets the sea, and offers scrumptious seafood, lively markets, never-sleeping bars, long beaches to enjoy during your stay!
About the Accommodation
Our centre sits in the hilly countryside of Prachuap Khiri Khan province amidst beautiful lush green surroundings. In addition, the accommodation consists of spacious rooms and you have a choice of standard, private or comfort accommodation. Further, there is a common area with a refrigerator, hammocks and a large communal swimming pool where you can relax with friends in the evenings.
Available Room Types
- Standard shared rooms 4 people share on a single-gender basis
- Private rooms 1-4 people
- Comfort rooms 1-2 people
Food Arrangements
Thai cuisine is really something to get excited about! Predominantly, dishes consist of rice or noodle dishes with vegetables and occasionally some meat, along with seasonal fruits for dessert. Vegetarians can be catered for – just let us know! However, if you are a picky eater or have dietary restrictions, you might want to consider supplementing our menu with your own western type foods and snacks that are more to your liking. Also, from our accommodation, you can use our bikes to ride to a few convenience stores nearby to find what you need.
Facilities
You will spend most of your day in Hua Hin city centre, where all amenities can be found.
Activities & Events
Monday Evening
We will visit the night market in Hua Hin city. Try some of the delicious local food that is freshly cooked and instantly served to you.
Wednesday Evening
Another trip to the vast night market in Hua Hin city! Truly, there is so much to see (and eat!) here that one night is just not enough!
Friday Evening
Tonight it’s the Cicada Market, a colourful night market offering freshly cooked food from different shopkeepers. Look around the many art exhibitions, see the local handmade products and souvenirs, and listen to live music featuring local artists.
Trip Country Info
Thailand
Population: Approx. 67 million
Capital: Bangkok
Language: Thai
Currency: Baht (THB)
Time zone: ICT (UTC +7)
From trekking in the beautiful mountains of the north to enjoying the glorious beaches in the south and experiencing the hustle and bustle of the metropolis that is Bangkok, Thailand is certainly not a country that lacks variety.
Whilst it really is at the heart of Southeast Asia, bordered by Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia, its cultural identity remains very unique. As the only country in Southeast Asia to avoid European powers, the Thai are proud to refer to themselves as ‘The Land of the Free’ and many tourists might also know it as ‘The Land of Smiles’ due to its friendly people.
Thailand is not only a famous holiday and gap year travel destination, but one of the most exciting countries in the world. Gap year travel to Thailand enables you to experience the excitement of city life as well as the serenity of some of the most spectacular remote islands and countryside areas. By booking your gap year holiday to Thailand with TRU, you will be able to get a unique view of this amazing country that is difficult to replicate on your own. We have a fabulous selection of gap year adventures in Thailand from Gibbon encounters and Elephant Sanctuary work to Clayhouse building and volunteering programs.
With our range of ongoing programs, you can even compose your schedule the way you like it. With this flexibility it enables you to say when you are on site and when you spend time with the new friends you have made from all over the world. Have a look at our latest volunteering and gap year travel to Thailand below or give us a call to find out more about our exciting gap year programs in Thailand.
You can take this opportunity to mix and match projects tailor to your preference. Why pick one when you can pick several.
Participant Criteria & Requirements
Standard Requirements
Under 18, Parental Consent is Required |
Travel Insurance |
Additional Requirements
No requirements have been provided.
What's included
- 24/7 support in case of emergencies
- Accommodation
- Airport Pick up
- English speaking coordinator
- Meals
- Orientation
What's not included
- Airport drop off
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Vaccination
- Visa