EL SOL TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD - 54B, 1st Flr, Jln Desa Bakti, Tmn Desa, 58100 KL Tel: 603 7984 4560 Fax: 7984 4561 david@elsoltravel.com www.elsoltravel.com 4D3N FOOTSTEPS of ARAHANTS Cover the legacy of Ajahn Mun & his disciples in Sakon Nakhon PLUS visit the Phra That Phanom stupa & Nakhon Phanom city tour. Ajahn Mun Bhuridatta Thera (1870 1949) is a much revered monk in Thailand. He revitalised the Thai Forest Tradition of Thai Buddhism. 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 the monks and lay supporters. 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). L to R: Luang Pu Thet, Luang Pu Lui, Luang Pu Fan Acharo, Luang Ta Maha Bua, Luang Pu Ku, Luang Pu Kongma For brevity, Ajahn (teacher) prefix will be used in the itinerary instead of Thai age dependent Luang Por, Luang Pu, etc.
DAY 1: Sakon Nakhon arrival Morning Air Asia flight from KL to Bangkok. Then catch Nok Air flight to Sakon Nakhon. Transfer to visit Wat Pa Bhuritthatirawat, the forest monastery where Ajahn Mun spent 5 rains retreat. In the compound is the kuti of Ajahn Mun as well as that of his disciple, the late Ajahn Maha Bua. Here you will find a name list of 29 monks and 4 novices that formed the Sangha of this monastery from the Buddhist year 2488-2489 (1945-1946). Many of them were themselves highly attained meditation masters, the result of Ajahn Mun's tutelage. Visit the newly built Museum of Ajahn Mun. 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 to visit the local night food market. Overnight in Sakon Nakhon. (DINNER on own budget; guide to suggest & give transfers; have your LUNCH at Bangkok airport as tour begins immediately on arrival in Sakon Nakhon) DAY 2: Sakon Nakhon Morning, transfer to visit Wat Tham Kham, a forest monastery located amongst caves on a hill top. Here the late Ajahn Fan Acharo, a disciple of Ajahn Mun was said to have attained enlightenment.
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. 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. Proceed to Wat Tham Pha Daen, a temple located on a hill cliff with many rock carvings depicting the Buddha and famous monks. Next is Khong Ping Ngu, a section of the highway to Kalasin province, famous for its many bends; the name means bending like a snake. Take a photo at the huge KM marker. Visit Phu Phan Ratchaniwet Palace, the home for the Thai Royal Family when they are visiting Sakon Nakhon, adorned with beautiful gardens. Back to Sakon Nakhon city to visit Nong Han Lake Park, North East Thailand s largest natural lake. Pay respect to the Buddha Footprint at Phra That Choeng Chum, the main Buddhist stupa of the province. Overnight in Sakon Nakhon. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on own budget; guide to suggest & give transfers)
DAY 3: Sakon Nakhon Nakhon Phanom Sakon Nakhon Early morning, transfer to Wat Doi Dhamma Chedi and participate in giving alms to the monks. The present abbot is Luang Ta Ben; 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. Transfer to Nakhon Phanom Province. Visit Phra That Phanom, which according to legend, contains The Buddha's breast bone, therefore making it one of the most important Theravada Buddhist structures in the region. It was originally built in the 16th century by the Laotian King Setthathirath of Lanxang, but has seen undergone many rebuilds and renovations. In Thai folk Buddhism, Phra That Phanom is a popular pilgrimage destination for those born in the year of the Monkey.
Arrival at Nakhon Phanom town; visit old Governor House (where late King Bhumibol stayed 1 night in 1955; now it is a museum documenting the late King s visit and the history of Nakhon Phanom), Old Clock Tower (built in 1960 by the local Vietnamese community), Phra That Nakhon (this principle stupa of the town is a holy place for people born on a Saturday and is believed to grant the wish of ones that are considered a respectful leader), Saint Anna Church (originally built in 1926; this current version dates from the 1970s) and visit the Indo-China market (with Laos just across the Mekong River). Return back to Sakon Nakhon to overnight. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on own budget; guide to suggest & give transfers) DAY 4: Sakon Nakhon departure Check out from hotel. After breakfast, 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. 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 afternoon flight to Bangkok. Then catch your flight home to KL. (Breakfast & Lunch on own budget; guide to suggest & give transfers)
RATES: per person, twin share basis, valid until 30th June 2019 8 paxs group (9 seater VIP van): RM 770 /pax 6 paxs group (9 seater VIP van): RM 890 /pax Single Supplement: RM 140 Rates & itinerary subject to change in FOREX rates, unforeseen surcharges (such as during Thai festivals/holidays), weather, local conditions, etc. INCLUSIVE: a) Airport transfers and tour excursion on private basis using tour van b) Hop Inn Sakon Nakhon (budget hotel under Hop Inn chain); no breakfast provided by hotel. Tour guide will take group for local breakfast on own budget. OPTION: Upgrade to 3 star MJ Hotel (with daily breakfast); add RM 90 /pax c) English or Mandarin speaking tour guide d) Entrance fees for attractions as per itinerary e) Drinking water /pax/day: Day 1 & 4 = 1 x 500ml; Day 2 & 3 = 2 x 500ml EXCLUDING: a) Air tickets, airport taxes & fuel surcharges b) All breakfasts, lunch & dinners (tour guide to suggest and provide transfers) c) Travel insurance d) Malaysian passport holders don t need visa to enter Thailand; other nationalities to be advised. e) Tipping for guide and driver: recommended minimum 400 baht/traveller for whole tour; pay direct at end of tour. f) 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.