Ajahn Chah

Where did Ajahn Chah establish his monastery?

Ajahn Chah, a highly revered Thai Forest Buddhist monk, established his monastery in the forest of Northeast Thailand, in a small village called Baan Gor, in the province of Ubon Ratchathani.

Ajahn Chah was born in 1918 in a small village in Northeast Thailand. He became a novice monk at the age of nine and eventually ordained as a fully ordained monk at the age of twenty. After years of studying and practicing Buddhism, he returned to his hometown and established a small monastery in a forest near his village.

However, Ajahn Chah soon realized that the forest was not suitable for long-term monastic practice due to its proximity to the village and its frequent disturbances. In 1954, he moved his monastery to a new location, about 15 kilometers away from Baan Gor, in a remote and secluded area surrounded by mountains and forests.

This new location, which was later named Wat Nong Pah Pong, became the main monastery for Ajahn Chah and his disciples. It was a simple and humble place, with basic facilities and no electricity or running water. The monks and novices lived in small huts made of bamboo and thatched roofs, and they followed a strict schedule of meditation, study, and work.

Despite the challenging living conditions, Ajahn Chah's monastery attracted many young men who were seeking a spiritual path. His teachings, which emphasized the practice of mindfulness and the cultivation of wisdom, resonated with many people, and his monastery soon became a thriving community of dedicated practitioners.

Ajahn Chah's teachings and reputation spread beyond Thailand, and his monastery became an international center for meditation and Buddhist studies. He received many visitors, both laypeople and monastics, from all over the world, and his teachings were translated into various languages.

Today, Ajahn Chah's monastery, Wat Nong Pah Pong, is still a thriving community of monks and laypeople, with branches in various parts of Thailand and other countries. His legacy continues to inspire and guide many people in their spiritual journey, and his monastery remains a place of peace, wisdom, and compassion.

In conclusion, Ajahn Chah established his monastery in the forest of Northeast Thailand, in a remote and secluded area called Wat Nong Pah Pong. This humble monastery became a center for Buddhist practice and study, and its impact continues to be felt by many people around the world.