Karen Buddhists and the Krubas of Northern Thailand
Missionizing practices in Thailand occurred in Thailand in the 1960s when Buddhist monks, as part of a program created by the Thai Sangha and supported by the government, sought out tribal peoples and...
View ArticleMeditation in Cambodia
Recently while teaching about Buddhism in Cambodia in Phnom Penh I had an opportunity to learn about contemporary meditation in the region. Through guest speakers and visits to significant temples, I...
View ArticleMeditation in Burma: Mahasi Sayadaw
Mahāsī Sayadaw (1904-1982), a student of the Mingun Jetavana Sayadaw, or U Narada, developed new possibilities for lay Buddhist practice with his meditation technique and the creation of the meditation...
View ArticleMeditation in Burma: Mogok Sayadaw
Mogok Sayadaw (1899-1962) became a novice monk at 9, and a fully-ordained monk at age 20. As he grew older he moved to a famous monastery in Amarapura to study the Abhidhamma, eventually teaching the...
View ArticleMeditation in Burma: Sunlun Sayadaw
Sunlun Sayadaw (1878-1952) is unusual in that he developed a popular meditation method without a long career as a monk. As a layman Sunlun Sayadaw practiced mindfulness of breath and daily activities....
View ArticleMeditation in Burma: Pa Auk Sayadaw
Pa Auk Sayadaw (1934-present) was a novice monk since age ten in his home village northwest of Yangon. During the next decade he pursued study of the Buddhist scriptures under a number of teachers...
View ArticleMeditation in Burma: U Ba Khin and S.N. Goenka
Besides Mahasi Sayadaw, the second most influential Burmese teacher for the vipassana revitalization movement is U Ba Khin (1899-1971). U Ba Khin, a lay government official under Prime Minister U Nu,...
View ArticleMeditation in Burma: Sayadaw U Tejaniya
Sayadaw U Tejaniya (1960-present) entered monkhood in 1996 at age 36. A former businessman and householder, he is able to give advice to his lay students in a practical way. He currently teaches at...
View ArticleMeditation in Thailand: Luangpor Teean
Luangpor Theean Jittasubho (1911-1988) spend the majority of his life as a layman, and practiced as a meditator for many years before ordaining as a monk. His method is characterized as dynamic rather...
View ArticleMeditation in Thailand: Ajahn Naeb
At 35 Ajahn Naeb (1897-1983) began studying the Abhidhamma and meditation at age 35. Twelve years later she began teaching and establishing meditation centers of which the most well-known is called...
View ArticleVolunteer English-Teaching in Thai Temple Schools Part I
Volunteer English teaching programs in temple schools are designed to expose the international visitor to Buddhist and Thai culture. The advertisements and program leaders emphasize that international...
View ArticleVolunteer English-Teaching in Thai Temple Schools Part 2
English-teaching volunteers hope for difference and an authentic experience where they will come to know ‘the other’ and gain cultural capital back home. However, most volunteers find, after being...
View ArticleLearning Buddhism as a Tourist in Thailand: The Temple Stay and Retreat Program
Learning about Buddhism is a curiosity for most tourists to Thailand, as they notice the numerous temples and monks during their excursions. However, some travelers come to Thailand with the...
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