Pa Sai Yoi Forest Meditation Center

Rating: 2.7/5 (20 votes)

Open Days: Daily

Opening Hours: Not fixed – depends on meditation activities

 

Pa Sai Yoi Forest Meditation Center is located in Village No. 5, Han Sang Subdistrict, Bang Pahan District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. It is a Dhammayut forest meditation center established amid a tranquil natural forest environment. This place was not created merely as a symbolic religious site, but as a genuine space for mental training, simple living, and returning to the core principles of Buddhist practice according to the forest meditation tradition.

 

In the past, Sai Yoi Forest was a lowland forest area that had not yet undergone systematic development. The landscape consisted of large trees, native vegetation, and a community forest ecosystem. Its quietness, seclusion, and distance from urban areas made it especially suitable for meditation practice, particularly the cultivation of mindfulness and concentration, which requires an environment with minimal external distractions.

 

Pa Sai Yoi Forest Meditation Center was founded in September 1990 by Luang Pho Phra Sombun Warathammo, a Dhammayut monk deeply committed to the forest meditation tradition. In the early period, he traveled to this area to set up a forest dwelling (glot) and reside in Sai Yoi Forest in order to practice meditation and seek seclusion in accordance with the intensive self-discipline emphasized by forest monks.

 

At that time, Kamnan Chalam, who served as the subdistrict headman of Han Sang and was responsible for overseeing the Sai Yoi Forest area, observed Luang Pho Phra Sombun’s practice and developed strong faith in his conduct and spiritual approach. He therefore respectfully invited Luang Pho to help develop this forest area, transforming it from neglected woodland into a land of merit and wholesome deeds for the long-term benefit of Buddhism and the local community.

 

The development of Pa Sai Yoi Forest Meditation Center did not involve large-scale construction, but progressed gradually according to available resources and faith. Monastic residences, huts, and meditation areas were arranged in a simple manner that blended harmoniously with nature, adhering to principles of forest preservation, avoiding ecological disruption, and maintaining tranquility as the core value.

 

The meditation approach practiced at this center emphasizes the cultivation of mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. Residents are trained to live mindfully alongside nature, reduce attachment to material possessions, and deeply reflect upon their own minds. Life within the center reflects simplicity, humility, and strict observance of monastic discipline in line with the Dhammayut forest tradition.

 

The atmosphere within Pa Sai Yoi Forest Meditation Center is particularly serene. The sounds of wind, leaves, and nature become part of the meditative experience. Such tranquility allows practitioners to disconnect from external distractions and create space for the mind to rest, recover, and develop in a meaningful and profound way.

 

From a social perspective, Pa Sai Yoi Forest Meditation Center serves both as a spiritual refuge and as a place that preserves the forest meditation tradition in central Thailand, which has become increasingly rare. Its continued existence is therefore significant for sustaining Buddhism in its practical dimension, not merely in ceremonial or ritual forms.

 

Getting There Pa Sai Yoi Forest Meditation Center can be reached from Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya city by taking Highway No. 32 toward Bang Pahan District. Upon entering Han Sang Subdistrict, the entrance to the meditation center can be found on the right-hand side. The distance from the city is approximately 25 kilometers, and traveling by private car is convenient.

 

 

A: It is suitable for those seeking a peaceful meditation environment and those interested in the forest meditation tradition.

 

A: Interested individuals should contact the meditation center directly for information regarding residency guidelines.

 

A: Yes, the center is easily accessible by private car via Highway No. 32 from Ayutthaya city.