The World Fellowship of Buddhists

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Open Days: Monday–Friday (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and Public Holidays)

Opening Hours: 09:30 – 16:00

 

The World Fellowship of Buddhists is a Buddhist learning and practice center with a clear international identity, yet it also works as a peaceful, low-key “Bangkok calm spot” that many locals still don’t realize exists in the Phrom Phong area. Set in the heart of Sukhumvit—a district known for its constant movement—the atmosphere shifts the moment you arrive. The pace of the city gradually softens, leaving a space that invites mindfulness, steady breathing, and inward learning without pressure. This is why the WFB doesn’t only suit people who already feel connected to Buddhism, but also those who want to begin meditation with guidance or understand Buddhist principles in a way that can be applied to everyday life—without feeling that you must be “good” or “strict” from day one.

 

The World Fellowship of Buddhists, commonly known as the WFB, was founded in 1950 with the intention of connecting Buddhist communities across countries and traditions. Its purpose is to support exchange, learning, and cooperation through principles of peace, mutual understanding, and compassion. One reason this place carries international significance is that Bangkok was chosen as the permanent headquarters, reflecting Thailand’s long-standing regional role as a Buddhist hub. As a result, the WFB is not only a quiet place for personal practice, but also a symbolic center within a global Buddhist network that continues to operate through meetings, coordination, and the promotion of study and practice in accessible, practical forms.

 

The WFB is located at 616 within Benjasiri Park, Sukhumvit Soi 24 (Soi Medhinivet), Khlong Toei, Bangkok. The location is especially interesting because it sits close to major shopping areas and the traffic-heavy Sukhumvit Road, yet the surrounding environment is softened by the park itself—trees, shaded paths, and open space. Before you even step into the building, many visitors naturally begin to transition from outside noise into a calmer inner state. That small shift matters more than people expect: it helps learning and meditation feel less dragged by the city’s momentum, and it allows you to truly “arrive” with a more ready state of mind.

 

Inside, the atmosphere is simple, respectful, and orderly. The space is arranged primarily for learning, listening to Dhamma, and meditation practice—not for loud or rushed sightseeing. Most visitors, both Thai and international, come with genuine intention, which creates a shared sense of calm and mutual respect without needing strict supervision. If you want to begin meditation without feeling pressured by a very intense environment, or you want to hear Dhamma in a way that makes sense and connects with real life, the experience here often feels “simple, but substantial.” And if you are travelling with foreign friends who are curious about Buddhism, the WFB can be a gentle introduction thanks to its English-language sessions on the monthly schedule.

 

The heart of the WFB is its focus on “education and practice” through structured learning programs arranged on a monthly calendar. The information most people look for first is the Sunday class schedule. In general, meditation classes are held on the first Sunday of each month (with talks in English), while Buddhist study or learning-focused sessions take place on the third Sunday and the last Sunday of each month. A commonly shared time window for these Sunday sessions is 14:00 – 18:00. Put plainly, these programs are not designed for spectacle; they are built for continuity, so regular participants can gradually develop understanding and apply it to daily life. For first-time visitors, it’s best to contact the organization or check announcements for the specific month to confirm timing and class format before you go.

 

If you are completely new to this kind of setting, there is no need to worry about having prior knowledge. What makes the experience smoother is dressing respectfully, keeping an open mind, and honoring the atmosphere of the space—such as silencing your phone, minimizing conversation during sessions, and arriving a little early so you can settle in without rushing. If you come to meditate, keep it simple: you don’t need to be “good at it” on the first day. The goal is to learn how to place the mind, observe yourself, and slowly build consistency in a realistic way. It is normal for the mind to feel restless at first. Practice is about awareness, not forcing calmness. When you stop pressuring yourself, the experience often becomes a space where the mind learns naturally.

 

Getting There If you are traveling by BTS, get off at Phrom Phong Station and walk into Benjasiri Park toward the WFB. The route is shaded and straightforward, and it is ideal if you want to avoid Sukhumvit traffic. If you come by taxi or private car, it helps to pin the destination name or use a reference point like “Benjasiri Park / Sukhumvit 24 (Soi Medhinivet)” and allow extra time during peak hours, especially weekday evenings. Sukhumvit traffic can be heavy, but once you arrive at the park, the atmosphere often pulls that sense of rush out of you faster than you might expect.

 

In terms of planning your day, the WFB fits well into a balanced half-day or full-day itinerary. If you are attending a Sunday class, arrive a bit early to settle your mind, and after the session, take a slow walk through Benjasiri Park to let what you heard gently sink in. If you visit on a weekday simply to become familiar with the place and its atmosphere without rushing, it is also easy to continue your day at Emporium, EmQuartier, or EMSPHERE, since everything is close by. This makes it possible to enjoy both the “city” and the “mind” in one day without forcing yourself to choose only one.

 

Ultimately, if you are looking for a Bangkok place that offers more than surface-level sightseeing—something that gives knowledge, quietness, and a genuinely international Buddhist perspective in one setting—the World Fellowship of Buddhists is a strong match. It reminds you that rest doesn’t always require going far. Sometimes, choosing a place that helps the mind slow down and see life a bit more clearly is enough to make the rest of the week feel lighter.

 

 

A: Office hours are generally Monday–Friday, 09:30 – 16:00, and the office is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. If you want to join a specific activity, it’s best to contact them in advance because sessions follow a calendar schedule.

 

A: According to the general monthly schedule, the first Sunday of each month includes an English Dhamma talk and meditation session in the afternoon. It’s recommended to check announcements or call ahead to confirm the exact time for the month you plan to attend.

 

A: In general, the third Sunday focuses on Abhidhamma studies, while the last Sunday often includes Abhidhamma discussion in the morning and a Thai Dhamma talk by a guest speaker later on.

 

A: Dress respectfully, avoid overly revealing clothing, silence your phone, and maintain quiet manners in learning and practice areas to support a calm and respectful environment for everyone.

 

A: Yes. Get off at BTS Phrom Phong and walk through Benjasiri Park to the WFB. It is a good option if you want to avoid Sukhumvit traffic.