Magha Puja Candle-Procession at Wat Pah Nanachat

Celebrating “Magha Puja Day”, the occasion where the Buddha gave a summary of his teachings to a spontaneous assembly of a large number of his disciples on the full moon day of the month of Magha (Febuary), the community of Wat Pah Nanachat held a traditional candle-procession around the main meditation hall and the old bot in the central area of the monastery.

Quiet Meditation Period at Wat Pah Nanachat

From Feb 5th to 8th 2020 Wat Pah Nanachat offered four days of open group practice together with the Sangha for people to join as a build up to the traditional celebration of Magha Puja Day.

Going Forth as Novice

Early morning of Wednesday 22. Jan 2020 an Eight-Precept-Postulant (Anagarika or Pakao) from Israel requested the Going Forth as a Samanera (novice) from the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat. Under Ajahn Kevalis guidance he was wholehaertedly welcomed in the midst of the community.

Luang Por Sumedho visiting Wat Pah Nanachat

Around the time of the annual Ajahn Chah Memorial at Wat Nong Pah Pong each January the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat has the honour to host Luang Por Sumedho (Phra Thep Nyanaviteht) and many senior monks from the international branch monasteries of Wat Pah Pong.

Acceptance of two new monks into the Wat Pah Nanachat Sangha

On Jan 10th at 4:00 am, a novice from Sweden and Germany were accepted into the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat as Bhikkhus (Buddhist monks) under Luang Por Liem Thitadhammo (Phra Rachabhavanavikrom), the abbot of Wat Pah Pong as their preceptor, with Ajahn Sukhito and Ajahn Kevali as the chanting-achariyas. We wholeheartedly wish them fulfillment of their Holy Life as monks in the Wat Pah Nanachat Sangha.

Going forth as a Novice in Wat Pah Nanachat

On Jan 6th, 2020 the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat welcomed a new novice (Samanera) from China into the community. We wish him much peace and happiness in the yellow robes.

Luang Por Pasanno Teaching Meditation

Under the trees of the open cremation site at Wat Pah Nanachat Luang Por Pasanno (Phra Rachabodhiviteht) from Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, California, USA, is teaching a short meditation retreat in Thai language from Jan 2nd to 5th, 2020.

New Years Eve at Wat Pah Nanachat 2562/2019

New Years Eve at Wat Pah Nanachat 2019/2562, the Sangha and lay-community spent under the open sky at the building-site of the upcoming uposatha hall, meditating and chanting into the new year, with blessings of Luang Por Pasanno (Phra Rachabodhiviteht, from Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery, California), Ajahn Medhino (Sri Lanka), Ajahn Nyaniko (the new abbot of Wat Abhayagiri), and many elders gathered for this auspicious occasion.

May all of you be blessed with a peaceful and happy new year.

Visit of Ven. Ajahn Amaro

The community of Wat Pah Nanachat recently enjoyed the visit of Ven Ajahn Amaro (Phra Rachabuddhivaraguna), the abbot of Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in the UK.

New Sandstone Buddha-Image mounted

The new sandstone Buddha image for Wat Pah Nanachats ordination hall under construction was mounted on it’s pedestal on October 28, 2019 with Luang Por Liem and Luang Por Anek and the Wat Pah Nanachat Sangha giving their blessings. Luang Por Liem gave the statue the auspicious name “Phra Buddhasumedhaguna“ -Quality of good wisdom - Buddha - drawing a link to Ven. Luang Por Sumedho, Wat Pah Nanachat’s first abbot.

Wheel of Dhamma in front of Wat Pah Nanachat

Since October 2nd, 2019, in the strip of newly planted forest in front of the main wall of Wat Pah Nanachat, a new grey, handcrafted sandstone “Wheel of Dhamma” (Dhammacakka) sets a sign for people that this little green park is part fo the monastery, creating an aura of respect for the teachings of the Buddha as people enter the monastery. The monastic and lay-community gathered when the wheel was mounted in the morning hours after the monks returned from their almsround.

Ajahn Jayasaro Visiting

The community of Wat Pah Nanachat much enjoyed Tan Ajahn Jayasaros mid-pansah (rains-retreat) - visit and the various teachings he gave, both in Thai and in English.

Tree Planting on Mother's Day

On the occasion of H.M. the Queen Mother’s 87th Birthday, the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat called the laypeople together to do some tree planting in a new property adjoining the monastery, as a dedication to Her Majesty.

Two new novices at Wat Pah Nanachat

On Mother’s Day in Thailand (July 28) , the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat welcomed two new novices (from Russia and Portugal) to join monastic life receiving Pabbajja, the “Going Forth” early in the morning.

HM King Vajiralongkorn offers Royal Titles to Seniour Monks

On July 28, 2019 HM King of Thailand kindly bestowed high honours on Luang Por Sumdeho, Luang Por Pasanno, Luang Por Amaro, and Luang Por Jayasaro by granting them ecclesiastical titels (or “Jaokhun”-tiles), with the royal names of Phra Thepnyanavithet for Luang Por Sumedho, Phra Rachabodhiviteht for Luang Por Pasanno, Phra Rachabuddhivorakhun for Luang Por Amaro, and Phra Rachabajramahnit for Luang Por Jayasaro. The Royal Offering of the respective cereminal fans, triple robes and certificates was held at the Grand Palace in Bangkok.

The Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat would like to wholeheartedly express their joy on this auspicious occasion. The monks, novices and laypeople at the monastery felt honoured to be able to receive two of the new “Jaokhuns”, Phra Rachabuddhivorakhun (Luang Por Amaro) and Phra Rachabajramahnit (Luang Por Jayasaro) at Wat Pah Nanachat on July 30th, and pay respects to them together, including in their hearts Luang Por Sumedho and Luang Por Pasanno, who unfortunately weren’t able to join the ceremonies.

Paying Respects to Sangha-Elders and Teachers - Rains Retreat 2562

At the beginning of the Rains-Retreat (“Pansah”) each year the Sangha of Wat Pah Nanachat seeks the blessings of the senior monks of Ubon Rachathani Province, and receives teachings from them about practice and the proper conduct as a monk.

at Wat Pah Sai Ngam (Luang Por Anek)

Wat Bahn Don Chat (Phrakhru Sudhammaprasut, Jaokana Tambon)

Wat Sarapatnueg (Phrakhru Sarasilakhun, Secretary of Jaokana Jangwat)

Luang Por Sie Sirinyano, Wat Pah Sirimongkol

at Wat Pah Nohn Savann (Luang Por Nuh Daeng)

Phra Sri Ratanobon (Jaokana Ampher, Wat Warintararam)

Luang Por Khun (Wat Pah Bho Suvann)

at Wat Manivanaram with Luang Por Phra Thepwarajahn, Jaokana Jangwat Ubon

Wat Pah Vivek (Phrakruh Bhodiwannanurak)

Wat Nong Pah Pong (Luang Por Liem)

Determining to spend the Rains-Retreat

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.

Meal at the Maekhong River in Mukdahan

Eating almsfood on the way in Mukdahan

Distributing left over almsfood to a school in Mukdahan

Mae Chee Kaeo's Chedi

Meditating in Mae Chee Kaeo's Chedi

Phra That Phanom

Sitting Meditation at Phra That Phanom

Paying Resects to Lp Awat, Wat Nak Nimit

Lp Mun's Kuti in Wat Nak Nimit

Lp Mun's Kuti in Wat Nak Nimit

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.