Tuesday 13 January 2015  Five Temple Journey Part 4: Wat Rampoeng

Wat Rampoeng is a temple known as a meditation center south west of Chiang Mai city. It is not too far from Wat Umong that I have visited in the past (the temple with the caves). People go to Wat Rampoeng to do silent meditations for 3, 5, 7, or more days. The people meditating wear wight clothing, and can be seen walking around the grounds or sitting, but ignoring everything around them. It is a little eerie in on sense, almost like a Twilight Zone episode.

We arrived at Wat Rampoeng by taking the local small roads. The sign says that this is for people wanting to learn the vipassana meditation principle. This is a meditation practice emphasizing mindfulness of breathing and of thoughts, feelings and actions to gain insight into the true nature of reality.

The idea is good, but could I be silent for 7 days?

The entrance gate at Wat Rampoeng. Things here are not elaborate, probably to facilitate calmness for the meditation. There is much white here, echoing the white clothing worn by the people meditating.

One entrance to a square-shaped meditation hall. I looked in, but did not want to disrupt the meditations in any way, so I did not go in. The Naga on the staircase and the Thewada at the entrance are beautifully crafted.

The entrance and looking down the hallway. There are a couple of people inside sitting in meditation, so I did not enter.

Another small viharn, elaborately decorated, but all in white, so the decoration is subdued.

A side view of the meditation hall. It is a beautiful teak building, with rich woodwork inside.

In the back of one of the viharn is a chedi. This is also a different style than many I have seen. Almost reminds me of the chedi at Wat Hariphunchai in Lamphun, but round instead of square.

After a short time being silent at Wat Rampoeng, we drove back to the 3-Sis. After being on the road for over five hours, I set out for lunch, and on a suggestion,

went to Salad Concept, an organic salad, soup, and fruit smoothie restaurant. I had a bowl of tomato soup, a potato salad (very, very different than potato salad in the U.S. – this is basically a green salad with chunks of cooked potato), and a latte. A very good meal to conclude the Five Temple Journey.

Next: The Wall and The Moat