Visiting
Prospective visitors to the Wat are advised to write well in advance, as facilities are somewhat limited. Men staying for more than a few days are required to shave their heads, as well as facial hair and eyebrows. Laypeople dress in modest white clothing, borrowed from the monastery if necessary. Some laywomen wear black skirts with a white blouse. Venerable Ajahn Kevali, abbot since 2007, encourages a more communal atmosphere than perhaps earlier had been the case. Guests are expected to take part in all daily activities. Following is a summary of a typical daily schedule:
- 3:00 a.m. Wakeup
- 3:30 a.m. Meet in the main sala (hall) for Buddhist chant
- 6:00 a.m. Sweeping the grounds – a vigorous meditative practice; laity helping in the kitchen and monks making rounds (Pindabat) for alms
- 8:00 a.m. Dāna, offering food so collected to the monks, followed by the daily meal for others
- 3:00 p.m. Work such as getting water, cleaning, and community projects
- 5:00 p.m. Meet in the Abbot's kuti (กุฏิ monk's hut) for evening tea
- 7:00 p.m. Meet in the main hall for evening chanting and a Dhamma Talk
- 9:30 p.m. Sleep
On Observance Days (uposatha), the schedule may vary somewhat as monks and laity alike attempt to sit in meditation all through the night till five in the morning.
Read more about this topic: Wat Pah Nanachat
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