On the first day of the waning moon after Asalha-Puja Day, the monks determine to spend the three months of the rainy season (“vassa”, or “pansah”) in the monastery without travelling unless there is a suitable reason. For the vassa of 2562 (2019) there are 23 monks and 6 novices in Wat Pah Nanachat.
Paying-Respects in Mukdahan, Nakorn Phanom and Sakon Nakorn
On July 11th, 2019, Wat Pah Nanachat went on a day-trip to pay respects to the Chedi of Mae Chee Kaeo in Mukdahan, Phra That Phanom in Nakorn Phanom, Luang Poo Awahn in Wat Nak Nimit, Sakon Nakorn, sit meditation at Luang Poo Mun’s Kuti there, and bow to Luang Poo Baen in Wat Doi Thammachedi, Sakon Nakorn.
New Monks at Wat Pah Nanachat
Early in the morning of July 9th, 2019, Luang Por Liem presided over the ordination of Ven Visuddho Bhikkhu (Australia), Ven Samangiko Bhikkhu (UK), Ven Utthano Bhikkhu (Indonesia), Ven Caranadhammo Bhikkhu (UK) and Ven Indavamso Bhikkhu (Thai) at Wat Pah Pong. After the ceremony the Wat Pah Nanachat Sangha usually gathers in Luang Por Chah’s Chedi for some auspicious chanting and meditation.
Going Forth for three new Novices at Wat Pah Nanachat
On June 20th , 2019 three new novices were accepted into the Wat Pah Nanachat monastic community: Samanera Ratanajoto (former Anagarika Matthew from the US), Samanera Piyacitto (former Anagarika Maximilian from Germany), and Samanera Dhammadinno (former Anagarika Blake from the US).
Meditation Practice in Honour of HM King of Thailand
Leading up to the Royal Coronation of HM King Rama X of Thailand, from April 30th until May 4th, 2019, Wat Pah Nanachat offered silent practice periods all through the day, starting from 3:30 am until 9 pm. The program ended with all night practice on May 3rd and auspicious chants at 10:09 am on May 4th, when the coronation ceremonies in Bangkok took place.
Start of the Ordination Hall Construction at Wat Pah Nanachat
The process of constructing the new ordination hall (“Bot” , “Uposatha”- or “Sima”-Hall) of Wat Pah Nanachat started with a team of workers casting the foundation pillars on the site of the Visunggama-Sima during over a period of tabout ten days at the end of April and beginning of May 2019/2562.
Thai New Year Festival (Songkran)
Songkran in Wat Pah Pong and Wat Pah Nanachat 2562 (2019)
The tradition of pouring water over the hands of senior monks and elder people on Songkran day (Thai new year) is a beautiful gesture of respect maintained in the northeastern culture. On April 12, 2019 the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat went over to pay hommage to Luang Por Liem at Wat Nong Pah Pong, who received a stream of water over his hands coming down from two wooden naga-sculptures that cannel the water the disciples offer.
In Wat Pah Nanachat the laypeople provide a full shower to the monks, novices and pakaos. With great joy they pour water from outside into the shielded-off bathing area, where the male disciples soap and rinse the Sangha.
In the main Sala the monks and novices give a new years blessing.
Going Forth of Novice Bhāvito
On March 15th, 2019 the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat welcomed the Going Forth of Anagarika Asaf from Israel as novice. His new Pali name is Sāmanera Bhāvito.
Magha Puja Candle Procession 2019
Luang Por Sumedho visiting Wat Pah Nanachat
Meditating and Chanting into New Year 2019/2562
On Dec 31st, 2018 in the open area of Wat Pah Nanachat’s Sima-Stones ,the Sangha and lay-community of Wat Pah Nanachat gathered to do chanting together and practice silently, doing sitting and walking meditation into the new year 2019 (or 2562 Buddhist Era). Not only did these auspicious practises reach the hearts of many sentient beings, but they were meant to bless the site for beginning the construction of the new ordination hall (“Uposatha Hall” or “Bot”) of Wat Pah Nanachat in 2019.
Going Forth as Samanera at Wat Pah Nanachat
Anagarika Jerry (Germany) took on the yellow robes as Buddhist Novice “Samanera Samacitto” in the midst of the Wat Pah Nanachat Sangha on December 10, 2018
Paying Respects to Phra That Phanom Dec 10th, 2018
On the occasion of Ajahn Kevalis 50th Birthday, he and three monastic friends that also turned 50 in 2018 (Phrakhru Subbatapunnathada, Phrakhru Sangharak Sawaeng and Tan Ajahn Parivat) took the Sangha and the lay-community of Wat Pah Nanachat to pay respects, and meditate at Phra That Phanom Chedi in Nakhorn Phanom Province.
End of Rains Retreat 2018 Group Picture
Two New Novices at Wat Pah Nanachat
Anagarika Jasper (New Zealand) and Anagarika Russel (Sweden) became Samaneras (novices) at Wat Pah Nanachat on the afternoon of October 19, 2018.
Walking over to Wat Nong Pah Pong
On September 10, 2018 a group of monks, novices and anagarikas went on foot over to Wat Nong Pah Pong to take part in the monastic practice-week that Luang Por Liem offers to his disciples every year. The walk from Wat Pah Nanachat (Bung Wai Village) to Wat Nong Pah Pong (Bahn Gor/Bahn Glang Village) takes about an hour and a half. Before Wat Pah Nanachat was founded, Luang Por Liem and Luang Por Sumedho at times went on almsround in Bung Wai, coming from Wat Nong Pah Pong, as already then many of the Bung Wai villagers had great faith in Luang Por Chah and were practising regularly in Wat Nong Pah Pong.
Receiving Royal Gift of Pali Canon at Wat Pah Nanachat
On September 3rd, 2018, the set of 80 volumes of the Sajjhaya Edition of the Pali Tipitaka - the Buddhist Pali Canon noted in a specific way that facilitates recitation and a precise pronunciation of the Pali language - were brought to Wat Pah Nanachat in a procession lead by the gouvernor of Ubon Rachathani with Phra Thepvarajahn, the head of the Ubon Sangha administration, presiding over the ceremony. On June 10th, 2018 Ajahn Kevali had the honour to receive the Royal offering of this Tipitaka in the name of of HM King Vajiralongkorn by HH Sangharaja in Wat Rajabopit, Bangkok.
Paying Respects Entering the Rains Retreat 2561 (2018)
As it is tradition since the times of Ajahn Chah, the monks intending to spend the rains-retreat (pansah) together begin the retreat by paying homage to their teachers and the senior monks in the area.
This year the sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat went to offer their respects to Ven. Thepvorajahn (head of the Ubon Sangha administration), Ven Seeratanobon (head of Warin district), Ven. Phrakhru Sudhhammaprasut (head of the Bung Wai-Sangha), Luang Por See Sirinyano (the most senior disciple of Ven Ajahn Chah, Wat Pah Sirimongkon), Luang Por Liem (the abbot of Wat Nong Pah Pong and preceptor to most of the Wat Pah Nanachat monks), Luang Por Chuh (Wat Wana Bodhinyan), Luang Por Vituhn (Wat Tham Saeng Phet), Luang Por Khun (Wat Pah Bhoseesuvann), Luang Por Anek (Wat Pah Sai Ngam) and Luang Por Damrong (Wat Pah Nam Kam Goeng).
New Novices and Monks Before Rains Retreat 2018
Full acceptance as a monk (bhikkhu upasampada) at Wat Nong Pah Pong on July 23rd, 2018 for Ven. Varabho Bhikkhu from Spain with Luang Por Liem as the preceptor.
Going Forth (pabbaja) as novices for Samanera Anavajjo from Israel and Samanera Suvijjo from Sweden in Wat Pah Nanachat on Sunday 22nd, 2018 with Ajahn Kevali as the novice-preceptor .
Temporary Novices Visiting Wat Pah Nanachat
Wat Pah Nanachat hosted the temporary novice ordination program "truelittlemonk" from July 19 to 21st. Here are the links to the daily summary-videos.