CLASSES, COURSES & RETREATS
We offer these in-person classes, courses, and retreats for all Students in Chiang Mai, Thailand and around the world.
Our classes and courses are offered at no cost. These learning opportunities are supported by Student donations that contribute to our work and expenses to provide these Teachings. There is no requirement or expectation of a donation to learn and participate.
Our retreats are offered at a nominal cost to cover the expenses of the retreat to include food, lodging, travel cost, etc. Where possible, retreats are offered at no cost.
You can invite our Teacher to your community to share any of these classes, courses, or retreats. For those interested in a class, course, or retreat customized to your groups needs, please contact us for further discussion.
All classes, courses, and retreats are based on The Path to Enlightenment from the book series titled The Words of The Book - The Path to Enlightenment - Revealing The Hidden.
CLASSES
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CHIANG MAI
MEDITATION & BUDDHIST STUDY COMMUNITY
Join us on Sundays, Wednesdays and/or Saturdays @ 9:00 AM for a group meditation session with Teachings, discussion, and guidance on The Path to Enlightenment.
Wat Tung Yu
Chiang Mai, Thailand
(You will find us in our classroom in the large yellow building.)
Sundays @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM
(The Group Learning Program)
(Meditation & Teachings)
Wednesdays @ 9:00AM - 10:30AM
(Meditation & Student Questions)
Saturdays @ 9:00AM - 12:00PM
(The Words of The Buddha - The Pali Canon in English Study Group)
(Meditation & Teachings)
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9:00 AM: Welcome and Guided Meditation with Buddhist Chanting
9:30 AM: Teaching and Discussion
Sundays
(Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment - Volume 1 - Progressing Chapter by Chapter in Each Session)
Wednesdays
(Meditation & Student Questions)
Saturdays
(The Words of The Buddha - Volumes 2-13 - Progressing Chapter by Chapter in Each Session)
10:30 AM: Break - Meet New Friends
11:00 AM: Teaching and Discussion
12:00 PM: Finish
(All are welcome to attend these classes. Offered openly and freely to "all beings".)
You are welcome to join members for food after class at one of the many local restaurants.
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Map to Wat Tung Yu
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wat+Tung+Yu/@18.7886684,98.9842242,15z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xb2a900a63d0f4c76!8m2!3d18.7886064!4d98.9842189
Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/chiangmaimeditationandbuddhiststudycommunity
Complete Schedule of Classes in Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/chiangmaimeditationandbuddhiststudycommunity/events
COURSES
INTRODUCTION MEDITATION PRACTITIONER COURSE
(3-HOURS)
This course is an introduction to The Teachings and practices of Gotama Buddha.
Students will learn how a “life practice” is based on independent observation of Gotama Buddha’s teachings. Students will be introduced to how they can acquire wisdom through learning and practicing The Teachings to liberate the mind on The Path to attaining Enlightenment.
At the conclusion of this course, Students will have a start to learning these Teachings and an introduction to meditation practice to eliminate discontent feelings from the mind such as sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, boredom, loneliness, guilt, fears, shyness, stress, anxiety, etc.
Teachings & Discussions
(Dhamma Talk)
- The Four Noble Truths: Establishing Right View
Meditation
- Meditation Instruction: Breathing Mindfulness Meditation
- Meditation Positions: Seated
(There are no prerequisites for this course.)
Click "LEARN MORE" in the below for a more detailed description and to register for this course.
FOUNDATION IN THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT - MEDITATION PRACTITIONER COURSE
(30-HOURS)
This course focuses on guiding Students in developing a solid foundation in The Teachings and practices of Gotama Buddha.
Students will learn how to establish a “life practice” based on independent observation of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings. Students will be guided in how to acquire wisdom through learning and practicing The Teachings to liberate the mind on The Path to attaining Enlightenment.
At the conclusion of this course, Students will have a theoretical foundation to start integrating and applying these Teachings in daily life to include a consistent meditation practice to eliminate discontent feelings from the mind such as sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fears, boredom, loneliness, shyness, jealousy, resentment, stress, anxiety, etc.
Teachings & Discussions (Dhamma Talks)
- Life Story of Gotama Buddha
- Enlightenment: What is “Enlightenment”?
- The Four Noble Truths: Establishing Right View
- The Eight Fold Path: The Path for All Humans to Enlightenment
- Transforming The Three Poisons: Craving, Anger, and Ignorance
- The Five Precepts: A Householder's Guide to Daily Practice
- What is Kamma and How Does It Affect Me?
- What is Merit?
- Meditation: Developing Your Practice
- Buddhist Temple Tour
Meditation Practice
- Meditation Instruction: Breathing Mindfulness Meditation
- Meditation Positions: Seated, Lying, Standing, and Walking Position
- Buddhist Chanting in Pali
(There are no prerequisites for this course.)
Click "LEARN MORE" in the below for a more detailed description and to register for this course.
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HARMONY IN RELATIONSHIPS - MEDITATION PRACTITIONER COURSE
(30-HOURS)
This course builds on a Students knowledge from the Foundation in The Path to Enlightenment - Meditation Practitioner Course focusing on guiding Students in strengthening their understanding and practice of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings to develop harmony in relationships.
Students will learn how to improve their decision making through elimination of The Three Poisons, Cultivating Healthy Mental States, Understanding True Love, and other course content to help you improve your personal and professional relationships. Students will gain understanding of how to eliminate sabotage to their relationships while eliminating the pollutions that are hindering you from attaining Enlightenment.
This course will guide Students in developing the ability to realize a peaceful life through cultivating a peaceful, calm, serene, and content mind with joy through being able to identify and eliminate cravings/desires/attachments.
At the conclusion of this course, Students will have a strengthened theoretical foundation while being able to integrate and apply these Teachings in daily life to include a consistent and developed meditation practice that will improve your personal and professional relationships.
Teachings & Discussions (Dhamma Talks)
- The Eight Fold Path: The Path for All Humans to Enlightenment
- Transforming The Three Poisons: Craving, Anger, and Ignorance
- Identifying Cravings: Cultivating Non-Craving and Analysis of The Mind
- Cultivating Healthy Mental States: Loving-kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity
- True Love: Love Without Attachment
- Practicing in a World of the Unknowing: Relationships with Non-Practitioners
- Sharing The Path to Enlightenment: How to Guide Children Along The Path?
- Practicing Non-Attachment: How to Eliminate Attachment to Those Who Are Closest to Us?
- Developing & Maintaining Relationships: Choosing Wholesome Friends and a Life Partner
- The Path to Enlightenment: Practicing “The Path” in the Workplace
- The Art of The Friendly "No": How to Say "No" Without Saying "No"
Meditation Practice
- Meditation Instruction: Breathing Mindfulness Meditation and Loving-kindness Meditation
- Meditation Positions: Seated, Lying, Standing, and Walking Position
- Buddhist Chanting in Pali
(There are no prerequisites for this course.)
Click "LEARN MORE" in the below for a more detailed description and to register for this course.
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EXPERIENCING THE JHĀNAS & THE FOUR STAGES OF ENLIGHTENMENT - MEDITATION PRACTITIONER COURSE
(30-HOURS)
This course builds on a Students knowledge from the Foundation in The Path to Enlightenment - Meditation Practitioner Course and Harmony in Relationships - Meditation Practitioner Course focusing on guiding Students in deepening their understanding and practice of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings to experience The Jhānas and The Four Stages of Enlightenment.
The Jhānas are preliminary phases the mind moves through prior to the first Stage of Enlightenment where the benefits of learning, reflecting, and practicing these Teachings start to allow the mind to experience "glimpses" of Enlightenment. Increased and improved qualities of mind are deeply experienced as the mind is entering the Jhānas.
Deep focus, concentration, memory, and clarity of mind are starting to be experienced in ways that did not exist prior to a Practitioner fully developing their life practice on The Path to Enlightenment. Once the mind has experienced all Four Stages of Enlightenment, all discontent feelings will be 100% eliminated. The mind will no longer experience any feelings such as sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fears, boredom, loneliness, shyness, jealousy, resentment, stress, anxiety, etc.
At the conclusion of this course, Students will have a deepened theoretical foundation while being able to deeply integrate and apply these Teachings in daily life that includes a solid meditation practice that leads to experiencing significant results to the quality of mind as it experiences progress towards the Jhānas and The Four Stages of Enlightenment.
Teachings & Discussions (Dhamma Talks)
- The Eight Fold Path: The Path for All Humans to Enlightenment
- Transforming The Three Poisons: Craving, Anger, and Ignorance
- Understanding & Experiencing the Jhānas: The Light Bulb is Flickering
- Understanding & Experiencing The Four Stages of Enlightenment: The Complete End of Discontentedness
- Dissolving the Ego: Ego Serves No Purpose
- Training The Mind to Acquire Concentration: Developing Singleness of Mind in a Distracting World
- Eradicating Pollution of The Mind: Eliminating The Ten Fetters
- Animal to Human: The Evolution of Our Consciousness
- Eliminating Fears: Are You Really Scared?
- God's Creative Action: You Have Free Will
- The Five Hindrances: Removing Obstructions to Your Enlightenment
- How to Determine if You Have Attained Enlightenment
Meditation Practice
- Meditation Instruction: Breathing Mindfulness Meditation, Loving-kindness Meditation, Meditation to Eliminate Sexual Cravings, and Meditation to Realize Non-Self
- Meditation Positions: Seated, Lying, Standing, and Walking Position
- Buddhist Chanting in Pali
(There are no prerequisites for this course.)
Click "LEARN MORE" in the below for a more detailed description and to register for this course.
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BUDDHIST TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM (6 YEARS)
This program develops a Practitioner’s ability and confidence in sharing Gotama Buddha’s Teachings. This program focuses on ensuring a Teacher Training candidate has the theoretical knowledge and practical experience to teach and guide Students in learning and practicing The Teachings of Gotama Buddha.
At the conclusion of this course, Teacher Training candidates will have the ability to conduct discussions (dhamma talks), teach meditation, and guide Students in developing their understanding and practice of Gotama Buddha’s Teachings to attain Enlightenment.
Requirements to Complete Program
- Ability to teach Foundation in The Path to Enlightenment, Harmony in Relationships, and Experiencing the Jhānas and The Four Stages of Enlightenment courses.
- Ability to lead and teach in a retreat setting.
- Organize and conduct a community outreach program.
- Reside in Thailand for an accumulated two (2) years.
- Additional requirements as discussed throughout the program with Teacher.
Class Schedule & Location
Taught as an apprenticeship program in classes, courses, and retreats over a period of six (6) years starting from the date of the Student's first Foundation in The Path to Enlightenment - Meditation Practitioner Course.
Donation
This course is offered at no cost. Donations will be accepted to contribute to the expense of hosting the program. All are welcome and no one is turned away for lack of funds.
Certificate
Each Teacher Training candidate will receive a certificate that acknowledges their completion of the program. Graduates will be required to renew their certificate every two (2) years through continuing education programs.
Prerequisite
(Complete Each Course as a Student Two (2) Times)
- Foundation in The Path to Enlightenment - Meditation Practitioner Course
- Harmony in Relationships - Meditation Practitioner Course
- Experiencing the Jhānas and The Four Stages of Enlightenment - Meditation Practitioner Course
Two (2) Years of Practical Experience Starting from Foundation in The Path to Enlightenment - Meditation Practitioner Course.
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"Wander forth, O Monks, for the welfare of the multitude (many), for the peacefulness of the multitude (many), out of compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and peacefulness of heavenly beings and humans.
Teach, O Monks, The Teachings that is good in the beginning, good in the middle, good in the end, with the right meaning and phrasing.
Reveal the perfectly complete and purified holy life. There are beings with little dust in their eyes who are falling away because they do not hear The Teachings. There will be those who will understand The Teachings."
- Gotama Buddha
RETREATS
FOUNDATION IN THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT - ACTIVE RETREAT (5-DAYS)
Have you participated in a silent retreat that resulted in challenges that were difficult to overcome during the retreat? Did you have an outstanding retreat experience to only have it fall apart after returning back to the “real world”?
Silent retreats can be helpful but you can oftentimes have a significant challenge when returning back to an active life. The silent retreat is peaceful and serene with all the participants on their “best behavior” through dedicated meditation and training. But when you leave the silent retreat environment and face the real world, your retreat experience can oftentimes get eroded and you are back where you started.
What is an active retreat?
An active retreat is an opportunity for you to experience a retreat environment to either develop or deepen your learning and practice of Teachings that train the mind to be peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy while also participating in normal activities throughout the retreat.
You will have the opportunity to learn Teachings then integrate them into a normal active life through daily activities engaged in the local community.
In this way, you will learn and practice The Teachings as part of a retreat atmosphere while engaging in daily activities inside and outside the retreat setting. This allows you to learn and grow while applying The Teachings in everyday life. Learning through an active retreat will feel like a holiday with good wholesome people who are interested to understand how to develop and integrate Teachings for a healthy body and mind into daily life.
One can not meditate their way to Enlightenment. The Enlightened Path requires learning and practicing Teachings that include meditation but also many other aspects need to be either eliminated or cultivated in the mind based on personal choices.
You will have the opportunity to learn and practice these along with other Teachings in this retreat.
This active retreat will provide you the opportunity to learn these Teachings and practice them so that you will be able to integrate them into your daily life through wise personal choices to eliminate discontent feelings from the mind such as sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, boredom, loneliness, guilt, fears, shyness, stress, anxiety, etc.
After the retreat experience, we provide you on-going support to learn and practice The Teachings through online guidance.
Daily Schedule
6:00 AM: Wake Up/Personal Hygiene/Free Time
7:30 AM: Meditation Guidance (Seated, Lying, Standing, Walking Positions)
8:00 AM: Teachings & Discussions (Dhamma Talks)
9:30 AM: Breakfast
10:30 AM: Mindfulness Gong Bath
12:00 PM: Daily Activity Experiences with Lunch
Learn and understand local culture and historical sites
(Buddhist Temples and Cultural Tour Experiences based on seasonal availability.)
There will be two (2) days of activities outside the retreat setting. There will be three (3) days of free time within the retreat setting.
6:00 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM: Meditation Guidance (Seated, Lying, Standing, Walking Positions)
8:00 PM: Group Discussion/Open Discussion with Questions & Answers
9:00 PM: Free Time
The morning “Teachings & Discussion (Dhamma Talk)“ sessions will focus on learning The Teachings that lead to Enlightenment as shared by Gotama Buddha. The evening “Group Discussion/Open Discussion with Questions & Answers” sessions will be dedicated to open discussion based on retreat participants questions and reflections from applying The Teachings during the daily activities.
We will use the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” as a foundational text for this retreat. Teachings and discussions (Dhamma talks) will be sourced from this book. Participants are encouraged to read this book prior to the retreat and during the retreat.
Teachings & Discussions (Dhamma Talks)
- Life Story of Gotama Buddha
- Enlightenment: What is “Enlightenment”?
- The Four Noble Truths: Establishing Right View
- The Eight Fold Path: The Path for All Humans to Enlightenment
- The Five Precepts: A Householders Guide to Daily Practice
- Transforming The Three Poisons: Craving, Anger, and Ignorance
- What is Kamma and How Does It Affect Me?
- What is Merit?
- Meditation: Developing Your Practice
- Buddhist Temple Tour
Meditation Practice
- Meditation Instruction: Breathing Mindfulness Meditation
- Meditation Positions: Seated, Lying, Standing, and Walking Position
- Buddhist Chanting in Pali
Click "LEARN MORE" in the below for a more detailed description and to register for this retreat.
FOUNDATION IN THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT & HARMONY IN RELATIONSHIPS - ACTIVE RETREAT (10-DAYS)
Have you participated in a silent retreat that resulted in challenges that were difficult to overcome during the retreat? Did you have an outstanding retreat experience to only have it fall apart after returning back to the “real world”?
Silent retreats can be helpful but you can oftentimes have a significant challenge when returning back to an active life. The silent retreat is peaceful and serene with all the participants on their “best behavior” through dedicated meditation and training. But when you leave the silent retreat environment and face the real world, your retreat experience can oftentimes get eroded and you are back where you started.
What is an active retreat?
An active retreat is an opportunity for you to experience a retreat environment to either develop or deepen your learning and practice of Teachings that train the mind to be peaceful, calm, serene, and content with joy while also participating in normal activities throughout the retreat.
You will have the opportunity to learn Teachings then integrate them into a normal active life through daily activities engaged in the local community.
In this way, you will learn and practice The Teachings as part of a retreat atmosphere while engaging in daily activities inside and outside the retreat setting. This allows you to learn and grow while applying The Teachings in everyday life. Learning through an active retreat will feel like a holiday with good wholesome people who are interested to understand how to develop and integrate Teachings for a healthy body and mind into daily life.
One can not meditate their way to Enlightenment. The Enlightened Path requires learning and practicing Teachings that include meditation but also many other aspects need to be either eliminated or cultivated in the mind based on personal choices.
You will have the opportunity to learn and practice these along with other Teachings in this retreat.
This active retreat will provide you the opportunity to learn these Teachings and practice them so that you will be able to integrate them into your daily life through wise personal choices to eliminate discontent feelings from the mind such as sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, boredom, loneliness, guilt, fears, shyness, stress, anxiety, etc.
After the retreat experience, we provide you on-going support to learn and practice The Teachings through online guidance.
Daily Schedule
6:00 AM: Wake Up/Personal Hygiene/Free Time
7:30 AM: Meditation Guidance (Seated, Lying, Standing, Walking Positions)
8:00 AM: Teachings & Discussions (Dhamma Talks)
9:30 AM: Breakfast
10:30 AM: Mindfulness Gong Bath
12:00 PM: Daily Activity Experiences with Lunch
Learn and understand local culture and historical sites
(Buddhist Temples and Cultural Tour Experiences based on seasonal availability.)
There will be two (2) days of activities outside the retreat setting. There will be three (3) days of free time within the retreat setting.
6:00 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM: Meditation Guidance (Seated, Lying, Standing, Walking Positions)
8:00 PM: Group Discussion/Open Discussion with Questions & Answers
9:00 PM: Free Time
The morning “Teachings & Discussion (Dhamma Talk)“ sessions will focus on learning The Teachings that lead to Enlightenment as shared by Gotama Buddha. The evening “Group Discussion/Open Discussion with Questions & Answers” sessions will be dedicated to open discussion based on retreat participants questions and reflections from applying The Teachings during the daily activities.
We will use the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” as a foundational text for this retreat. Teachings and discussions (Dhamma talks) will be sourced from this book. Participants are encouraged to read this book prior to the retreat and during the retreat.
Daily Schedule
6:00 AM: Wake Up/Personal Hygiene/Free Time
7:30 AM: Meditation Guidance (Seated, Lying, Standing, Walking Positions)
8:00 AM: Teachings & Discussions (Dhamma Talks)
9:30 AM: Breakfast
10:30 AM: Mindfulness Gong Bath and Gong Bath Training
12:00 PM: Daily Activity Experiences with Lunch
Learn and understand local culture and historical sites
(Buddhist Temples and Cultural Tour Experiences based on seasonal availability.)
There will be four (4) days of activities outside the retreat setting. There will be six (6) days of free time within the retreat setting.
6:00 PM: Dinner
7:30 PM: Meditation Guidance (Seated, Lying, Standing, Walking Positions)
8:00 PM: Group Discussion/Open Discussion with Questions & Answers
9:00 PM: Free Time
The morning “Teachings & Discussion (Dhamma Talk)“ sessions will focus on learning the teachings that lead to Enlightenment as shared by Gotama Buddha. The evening “Group Discussion/Open Discussion with Questions & Answers” sessions will be dedicated to open discussion based on retreat participants questions and reflections from applying the teachings during the daily activities.
We will use the book “Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment” as a foundational text for this retreat. Teachings and discussions (Dhamma talks) will be sourced from this book. Participants are encouraged to read this book prior to the retreat and during the retreat.
Teachings & Discussions (Dhamma Talks)
- Life Story of Gotama Buddha
- Enlightenment: What is “Enlightenment”?
- The Four Noble Truths: Establishing Right View
- The Eight Fold Path: The Path for All Humans to Enlightenment
- The Five Precepts: A Householders Guide to Daily Practice
- Transforming The Three Poisons: Craving, Anger, and Ignorance
- What is Kamma and How Does It Affect Me?
- What is Merit?
- Identifying Cravings: Cultivating Non-Craving and Analysis of The Mind
- Cultivating Healthy Mental States: Loving-kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, and Equanimity
- True Love: Love Without Attachment
- Practicing in a World of the Unknowing: Relationships with Non-Practitioners
- Sharing The Path to Enlightenment: How to Guide Children Along The Path?
- Practicing Non-Attachment: How to Eliminate Attachment to Those Who Are Closest to Us?
- Developing & Maintaining Relationships: Choosing Wholesome Friends and a Life Partner
- The Path to Enlightenment: Practicing “The Path” in the Workplace
- Meditation: Developing Your Practice
- Buddhist Temple Tour
Meditation Practice
- Meditation Instruction: Breathing Mindfulness Meditation and Loving-kindness Meditation
- Meditation Positions: Seated, Lying, Standing, and Walking Position
- Buddhist Chanting in Pali
Click "LEARN MORE" in the below for a more detailed description and to register for this retreat.
Developing a Life Practice: The Path That Leads to Enlightenment (Volume 1) by David Roylance.
This book is an essential guide on The Path to Enlightenment and offered at no cost to help you learn and progress in your understanding and practice of Gotama Buddha's Teachings.