FINDING BUDDHO: Legacy of Ajahn Mun 4D3N Sakon Nakhon Buddhist Pilgrimage

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1 EL SOL TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD - 54B, 1st Flr, Jln Desa Bakti, Tmn Desa, KL Tel: Fax: david@elsoltravel.com FINDING BUDDHO: Legacy of Ajahn Mun 4D3N Sakon Nakhon Buddhist Pilgrimage + visit to Phu Thok Lonely Mountain Monastery Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta Thera ( ) is a much revered monk in Thailand. He revitalised the Thai Forest Tradition of Buddhism by living as close as possible to the way the historical Buddha lived. Discover the legacy left by Ajahn Mun in Sakon Nakhon province where he spent the last years of his life and that of his eminent disciples who carried forward the Thai Forest Tradition. Visit forest monasteries which bear witness to the lives and contributions of Ajahn Mun and his disciples, while paying respect at shrines displaying their relics ( sarira, pearl or crystal-like objects found in their cremated ashes). The Thai Forest Tradition emphasizes strictly on the original monastic rules of discipline laid down by the Buddha and meditation practice with the goal of realizing enlightenment, as the focus of monastic life. The quiet, seclusion and austerity of forest monasteries facilitate the above, while at the same time allowing a place for mutual support to take place between forest monastics and lay supporters.

2 L to R: Luang Pu Thet, Luang Pu Lui, Luang Pu Fan Acharo, Luang Ta Maha Bua, Luang Pu Ku, Luang Pu Kongma & Phra Ajahn Chuan Kunlachettho For brevity, Ajahn (teacher) prefix will be used instead of Luang Por, Luang Pu, etc. ITINERARY DAY 1: Sakon Nakhon arrival (D) Morning departure from KLIA2 for Bangkok and then catch 12.45pm Nok Air flight to Sakon Nakhon, arrival 1.55pm. Transfer to visit Wat Pa Bhuritthatirawat, the forest monastery where Ajahn Mun spent 5 rains retreat. Preserved in the compound is the kuti of Ajahn Mun as well as the kuti of his disciple, the late Ajahn Maha Bua.

3 Here you will find a name list of 29 monks and 4 novices that formed the Sangha of this monastery from the Buddhist year ( ). Many of the monks themselves were highly attained and venerated meditation masters, the result of being under Ajahn Mun's tutelage. Then proceed to Wat Pa Nong Pu, the last forest monastery where Ajahn Mun was residing when he caught his final illness. It was here he gave his last sermon and from here he requested to be moved to Wat Sutthawat for final passing. Return back to Sakon Nakhon city for dinner and visit the local night market. Overnight in Sakon Nakhon. DAY 2: Sakon Nakhon - Phu Thok - Sakon Nakhon (B/L/D) After breakfast at hotel, transfer to visit Wat Tham Kham, a forest monastery located amongst caves on a hill top. It was at this location that the late Ajahn Fan Acharo, a disciple of Ajahn Mun was said to have attained final knowledge. "Tham Kham" means "Tamarind Cave", referring to the still living tamarind tree that sprouts from the floor of the cave and exits out to the open. At one of the rock face, a reclining Buddha image was carved out. Visit the stupa for the relics of late Ajahn Thet, a disciple of Ajahn Mun.

4 Then transfer to visit the relic stupa of Ajahn Fan Acharo; you can also view items which he used, walk around the forest monastery and feed the fishes in the monastery s pond. Then transfer to Wat Phu Thok in Bueng Kan province, with lunch en-route. Wat Phu Thok is an impressive forest monastery located up a sheer rock outcrop. The only way to access the monastery is climbing up the network of wooden stairs. "Phu Thok" means Lonely Mountain and is the monastery established by the late Ajahn Chuan Kunlachettho, a disciple of Ajahn Mun. Explore the wooden walkways built along the sheer cliff and admire the views from high up above. In one of the caves, lined up are statues of Ajahn Mun and his disciples (at last visit, 39 statues). Nearby a rock is perched on top a small shrine. Back at ground level, visit the relic stupa of Ajahn Chuan. Ajahn Chuan was among 5 highly revered monks who perished in a plane crash in April 27, 1980; they were flying to Bangkok on invitation of the King of Thailand. In the relic stupa is the alms bowl of Ajahn Chuan, dented during the plane crash. Return to Sakon Nakhon for dinner and overnight.

5 DAY 3: Sakon Nakhon (B/L/D) Early morning, transfer to Wat Doi Dhamma Chedi and participate in giving alms to the monks. The present abbot is Ajahn Baen; his master was the late Ajahn Kongma (a disciple of Ajahn Mun). Then visit Wat Pa Nak Nimit, followed by Wat Pa Wisuthitham. At one time, Ajahn Mun was staying in Wat Pa Nak Nimit, before his disciple, Ajahn Ku invited him to move to Wat Pa Wisuthitham in order for Ajahn Mun to be closer to lay supporters and more easily impart the Dhamma. 'Nak Nimit' means 'nimitta of a naga'; this refers to the Naga that used to visit the temple grounds in the past. Return back to Sakon Nakhon city for lunch. Visit Nong Han Lake Park, the lake is North East Thailand s largest natural lake. Then pay respect to the Buddha Footprint at Phra That Choeng Chum, the principal Buddhist stupa of Sakon Nakhon province. Dinner and overnight in Sakon Nakhon. DAY 4: Sakon Nakhon departure (B) After breakfast, check-out from hotel. Last but not least, transfer to visit Wat Pa Sutthawat, the forest monastery where the late Ajahn Mun passed away and was cremated. Pay respects to him at his relics shrine, which also displays items which he used as a monk.

6 Also within the compound of Wat Pa Sutthawat is the relics chedi of the late Ajahn Lui (a disciple of Ajahn Mun) and the kuti of the late Ajahn Maha Bua with some of his relics on display. Then to Sakon Nakhon airport for NOK AIR 2.25pm flight to Bangkok, arriving 3.40pm. Then catch your flight home to KL. RATES: per person, twin share basis, according to group sizes as below 8 paxs group (9 seater VIP van): RM 995 /pax 6 paxs group (9 seater VIP van): RM 1160 /pax 4 paxs group (9 seater VIP van): RM 1435 /pax Single Supplement: RM 200 Rates & itinerary subject to change in FOREX rates, unforeseen surcharges, weather, local conditions, etc. INCLUSIVE: a) Airport transfers and tour excursion on private basis b) 3 star hotel accommodation c) Meals as indicated in itinerary above d) English or Mandarin speaking tour guide e) Entrance fees for attractions as per itinerary f) 2 x 500ml bottles of drinking water /person/day (except last day) EXCLUDING: a) Air ticket, airport taxes & fuel surcharges (for El Sol Travel to book air tickets, service charge RM 30 /traveller) b) Travel insurance: can be arranged for RM 35/person (1 to 5 days coverage) c) Malaysian passport holders don t need visa to enter Thailand; other nationalities to be advised. d) Tipping for guide and driver: recommended minimum 400 baht/traveller for whole tour; pay direct at end of tour. e) Expenses of personal nature such as optional activities not part of itinerary, donation items (dana), laundry charges, room mini-bar charges, tipping for hotel/restaurant/etc. staff.