Unfortunately the situation with the pandemic is presently becoming more and more uncertain in Thailand. Thus the monastery remains shut down from the public for the time being. Unfortunately, reaching the limits of our capacities in this situation, we can also not accept visitors from abroad, even if they have already passed the respective quarantines, tests, or vaccinations. By practising restraint on all levels, we hope to be able to contribute to the relief of this difficult situation and wish all people related to the monastery a safe and happy Thai New Year with much grounding in Dhamma.
Wat Pah Nanachat temporarily closed to the Public due to Corona-Virus Pandemic
At a special meeting on April 12, 2021 at 18:00 regarding the present rise in numbers of cases infected with the Covid-19 Coronavirus throughout Thailand, Ajahn Kevali representing the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat, and the monastery’s lay disciples decided to temporarily close the monastery again, in order to reduced the risk of infections in within the monastery grounds.
Similar to the situation in 2020, this means that presently all almsrounds are cancelled. However there is the opportunity to deposit food —especially raw and uncooked— at the monastery gate between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m., which will then be cooked and processed by a team of in-house kitchen volunteers, and presented to the monastic community for their daily meal.
Ajahn Kevali would like to genuinely apologize for any inconveniences caused by the shutting down of the monastery —especially on such short notice. May these acts of caution and restraint support the subduing of the pandemic and guarantee the safety of the Sangha, all faithful lay supporters, and the wider population of Thailand. The Sangha would like to express their wholehearted appreciation for all the support it is receiving, and wishes that it may be a cause for long lasting peace, happiness and safety for all.
Poster in Thai announcing the temporary closure of Wat Pah Nanachat and the stopping of the traditional alms round for the local community.
Magha Puja Celebrations at Wat Pah Nanachat
As is customary in Thailand, the full moon of the third lunar month called “Magha”, the Sangha and laypeople of Wat Pah Nanachat celebrated quietly with a candle-procession around the Vihara, recollecting the “Ovada Patimokkha” - the brief summary of the Dhamma that the Buddha gave on this day:
”To not commit any unwholesome or bad deed, bring to perfection the good, and purify the mind - these are the teachings of all Buddhas”.
Ajahn Kevali gave talks both in Thai and English on the value of “Khanti” (patient endurance, tolerance and forbearance), as expressed in a further part of the Ovada Patimokkha, and the Sangha and lay-practitioners enjoyed a long night of practice throughout this beautiful full-moon night.
Upasampada (Acceptance into the Sangha) at Wat Pah Pong
On the chilly morning of Jan 12 four novices were accepted as monks into the Sangha at Wat Nong Pah Pong with Luang Por Liem kindly presiding over the ceremony. We wish a truly prosperous life in the yellow robes to Bhikkhu Nyanabalo (Thailand) from Wat Pah Boon Lorm, Ubon Rachathani, Tan Dhammapalo (USA) from Wat Pah Nanachat, Tan Mettacitto (Singapore) from Wat Pah Dhammagiri, Mae Hong Sorn and Dhammasaro (China) from Wat Pah Nanachat.
Regulations Regarding Covid 19 / ระเบียบป้องกันการแพร่ระบาดโรคติด 19
Generally, people are welcome to visit Wat Pah Nanachat again, as Ubon Rachathani Province is still considered low risk area. The monastery gate is open in the morning around the meal time, between 6:30 and 10:00 am. We ask everyone to have their temperature scanned, register their name and phone number, wear a face mask, frequently wash or sanitize their hands, and observe physical distancing especially in the main sala and kitchen. The amount of ceremonies has been reduced and they do not involve any chanting for the visiting lay community.
Since January 4th, 2021, according to the present gouvernment regulations in Thailand, some provinces are classified as highest risk zones (labelled as "red" provinces - about 28 including Bangkok) for which all kinds of travel limitations and quarantine requirements apply. Wat Pah Nanachat therefore can only allow visitors to enter the monastery who have stayed over 14 days without signs of Covid 19 in lesser risk zones (orange, yellow and green provinces), and unfortunately have to turn away visitors from red zones at the gate. We ask for your kind understanding.
ตามที่ จังหวัดอุบลราชธานีแจ้งให้ส่วนราชการ หน่วยงาน ทุกแห่ง เตรียมความพร้อมในการป้องกันการแพร่ระบาดใหม่ของโรคติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรนา 2019 (โควิด-19) พร้อมทั้งให้ทุกพื้นที่อำเภอ และตำบลของจังหวัดอุบลราชธานี เป็นพื้นที่เฝ้าระวังสูง และให้ดำเนินการมาตรการป้องกันและเฝ้าระวังการแพร่ระบาดของโรคติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรนา 2019 (โควิด-19) ตามการแบ่งพื้นที่สถานการณ์ นั้น
เพื่อป้องกันการแพร่ระบาดโรคติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรนา 2019 (โควิด-19) จึงขอประกาศแนวทางที่คณะสงฆ์วัดป่านานาชาติ ได้ดำเนินการดังนี้
ทางวัดฯ ขอให้ผู้ที่มีจิตศรัทธาที่เดินทางมาจากเขตพื้นที่สถานการณ์กำหนดเป็นพื้นที่ควบคุมสูงสุด ตามบัญชีรายชื่อจังหวัดแนบท้ายคำสั่งศูนย์บริหารสถานการณ์การแพร่ระบาดของโรคติดเชื้อไวรัสโคโรนา 2019 (โควิด-19) งดเข้ามาในบริเวณวัดป่านานาชาติ เป็นการชั่วคราว
ทั้งนี้ ขออภัยในความไม่สะดวกต่อทุกๆ ท่านที่มีจิตศรัทธาอยู่ตลอดมา ทางวัดฯ หวังว่าจะกลับสู่สถานการณ์ปกติได้ในไม่ช้า หากทุกคนให้ความร่วมมือปฏิบัติตามมาตรการและข้อเสนอแนะของกระทรวงสาธารณสุขอย่างเคร่งครัด
ประกาศ ณ วันที่ ๕ เดือนมกราคม พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๔
พระครูอุบลภาวนาวิเทศ (เจ้าอาวาสวัดป่านานาชาติ)
Offering Breathing Machines to Ubon Hospitals
In a small ceremony on January 8th, 2021, the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat was delighted to facilitate the offering of four breathing machines, three oxygen-pumps and a hospital bed to three major hospitals in Ubon, Warin, and the local subsidiary hospital in Bung Wai Village close to Wat Pah Nanachat.
The merit of these offerings is dedicated to Phra Brohmvajiranyan (Lp Sumedho), Phra Theppajranyanamuni (Tan Ajahn Jayasaro) and Phra Rajvajiranyan (Tan Ajahn Nyanadhammo), on the occasion of them receiving these new honorary titles by HM King Mahavajiralonkorn during the past year 2020. Unfortunately the situation of the Covid 19 pandemic didn’t allow for our three most venerated Elders to attend the ceremony. But our good wishes and the blessings of this act of generosity by many disciples of Wat Pah Nanachat will surely reach them and support them in their selfless work in spreading the Buddha’s teachings. May they be healthy and at ease for many more years to come.
Taking Leave of Luang Por Sumedho
Luang Por Sumedho visited Wat Pah Nanachat for the annual Kathina ceremony. On October 15th the Sangha and laypeople of Wat Pah Nanachat performed the traditional ceremony of asking for forgiveness from their dearly revered teacher - taking leave of the monastery’s first abbot. Luang Por is travelling to Amaravati Buddhist Monastery / England, on November 20th. Luang Por kindly addressed the community with the following words of encouragement both in English and in Thai:
Robecloth Offering Ceremony (Kathina) 2020
This year Wat Pah Nanachat’s Kathina Ceremony, which entails the offering of robe cloth in oder to cut, sew, and dye a new robe for a Sangha-member that has spent the rains retreat at the monastery, was conducted in harmony on October 11th, 2020. Traditionally seniour monks of the Ajahn Chah-Sangha offer Dhamma-Talks to the lay community the evening before the offering ceremony.
This year Wat Pah Nanachat for the first time was able to set up cameras for a live transmission of the evening Dhamma-talks and the offering ceremony on the Wat Pah Nanachat Youtube Channel.
Rains Retreat 2020 Group Picture
The Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat during the “Pansah” (Rains Retreat) 2020 (2563)
A new place for Luang Por Chah's Pillar
The sandstone pillar with teachings from Luang Por Chah that had been posted in the entrance area to the Wat Pah Nanachat Sima-Area has been moved to the a newly developed site at of the old bot (now called “The Luang Por Chah-Vihara”) . With the new uposatha hall (bot) gradually taking shape as a compelling structure in the midst of the Sima-Area, the small extra-pillar at the side had started to appear less and less significant as a sign-post introducing four of the key idioms of Luang Por Chahs poignant teachings.
The new location at the western side of the Vihara grants it due weight as it is right in the part of the old charnel ground in which Luang Por Chah, on one of his first visits, was shown the remainders of old boundary-stones - an indication that in olden times there had already been a monastery on the premises of what was later to become Wat Pah Nanachat.
The pillar - together with the eight Visunggama-Sima-Stones in the Wat Pah Nanachat Sima-Area - was sculptured in 2014 after the design of Luang Por Anek (Phrakhru Nikroddhammaphorn, one of Luang Por Chah’s senior disciples, the abbot of Wat Pah Sai Ngahm in Det Udom, Ubon Rachathani).
Luang Por Anek came to Wat Pah Nanachat on various occasions to oversee the carving of the stones. The one pillar that Luang Por Anek worked on himself is the Luang Por Chah Pillar.
April 30, 2014, Luang Por Anek working on the Luang Por Chah Sandstone-Pillar
Going Forth as a Novice
In the quiet of the early morning on August 21, 2020, the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat held a ceremony of Going Forth — becoming a Samanera (novice) — in the main meditation hall of the monastery. We wholeheartedly wish Samanera Gunaratano from Japan all the best for his life in the yellow robes within our community.
International visits possible in a limited way
Visitors from abroad:
With presently only little cases of Covid-19 in Thailand, the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat is happy to receive international visitors again if they have spent at least two weeks symptom-free in risk-free circumstances in Thailand before. It is necessary to write a letter to the guestmonk well ahead of time, noting your email address, so we can coordinate any other precautions and details regarding a possible stay.
Opening up on Asalha Puja
Wat Pah Nanachat is gradually opening up for the public again. On the Buddhist holiday commemorating the Buddha’s first teaching, “Asalha Puja”, after registering and scanning the body-temperature, washing hands, equipped with face masks, many people joined the usual ceremonies on this auspicious occasion: determining to practice according to the Buddhist lay-precepts, offering food and requisites to the Sangha, and listening to Ajahn Kevali giving a talk about the Dhammacakkappavattana-Sutta. For keeping the required physical distance, the monastery could not yet allow people to eat the remaining food together in the kitchen, but the kitchen crew was able to provide some take-away snacks for all. In the evening people were welcome to come for mediation, reciting the Dhammacakkappavattana-Sutta and listening o the Dhamma again.
Acceptance of four new monks into the Sangha
Early in the morning on June 29th four Wat Pah Nanachat novices took Upasampada (Acceptance into the Bhikkhu-Sangha) at Wat Nong Pah Pong with Luang Por Liem (Phra Rachabhavanavikrom) as their preceptor, accompanied by two applicants from Wat Nong Pah Pong. The Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat feels great joy to welcome them coming from Laos, New Zealand, Israel, and the land of the Buddha himself, India, in order to further their practice in the yellow robes within the full system of the monastic training rules, that the Buddha established over 2500 years ago.
Opening up a little...
After being closed to the public for three months the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat is very pleased to be able to welcome people back in the Sala in the mornings. After almsround, from 6:30, until the meal has been offered at 8:00, the gates are open again. Our lay community can hear some Dhamma, meditate and receive the Sangha’s blessing at this time. Understandably the arrangements regarding kitchen and food still need to be limited, so we ask our guests not to have their meal in the monastery. International guests will most likely be able to come again, once Thailand’s borders are open and quarantine isn’t necessary any more. We all hope for gradually facilitating a safe transition to more of our usual activities in the not so distant future, and express our great appreciation for all the support our Sangha has received over the past months.
Paying Respects at Ajahn Chah’s Birthplace
On the occasion of Ven Ajahn Chah’s 102nd birthday the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat went to the stone-pillar in Bahn Gor village neat Wat Nong Pah Pong, which marks his birthplace. The Sangha quietly paid respects, spent time meditating, chanting, and listened to readings from his teachings.
Back on Almsround in the Village
The Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat felt overjoyed to be able to take on walking on almsround in Bahn Bung Wai, the main village supporting the monastery on Sunday June 7th after a long long pause…
Almsround at the Monastery Gate
For the first time since since March 19th, 2020, a part of the Wat Pah Nanachat Sangha was able to receive alms at the monastery gate again. The setup for a thorough hand-wash with soap for at least 20 seconds for people before putting food into the monks bowls, attentive helpers that separate food that needs to be reheated and raw-material to be processed by the in-house kitchen-crew, and of course face masks for everybody, are helping to cut bridges for possible infections, while a Sangha of about 40 monks and novices inside the monastery still remains in seclusion with no public ceremonies being held yet.
Visakha-Puja 2020 At Wat Pah Nanachat
Celebrating Visakha Puja - the day the Buddha was born, attained Enlightenment and passed away - by a silent procession around the main Sala at Wat Pah Nanachat with flowers, candles and incense, contemplating the life of the Buddha as depicted in the Poem "Postures - The Life of the Buddha in Standing , Sitting , Walking and Lying Down", which was written by on of the monks for this occasion, and read out in the Sala after the procession.
This year, the annual Visakha Puja celebration for the first time took place without the monastery's laypeople from the surrounding villages and towns being able to join. Thus the resident monastic community wholeheartedly would like to share the merit of their practice on this special day with all friends of the monastery outside in this way and wish them much peace and happiness.
Visakha Puja: Recollection of the Buddha
Just before the celebration of Visakha, the day commemorating the Buddha's birth, enlightenment and final passing away, Ajahn Kevali reminds the community of Wat Pah Nanachat (whether at the monastery or at home) to do their “homework” in recollecting the virtues of the Buddha - remembering him as a historical person, seeing the Buddha within the Dhamma, having faith in the transcendental aspects his realization of complete Nibbana, and practicing similarly to develop “Buddho”, awakening awareness.