Monk Life Thailand Syllabus

1. Meditation

TopicDetails / Content
Nature of the mindComponents of life, body and mind, characteristic of mind, its importance,  and how to take care of mind.
Middle way meditationBenefits of meditation, tools for meditation, visualization and mantra, different ways to meditate, and meditation in Buddhism, middle way meditation.
4C Principles in meditationConsciousness, Comfort, Consistency, and Check.  The importance of comfort, comfort of body and mind, balance between consciousness and comfort, importance of consistency and check to improve.
Path and bases of mind7 bases of mind, moving mind to different bases, importance of center of the body.
Obstacles in meditation and how to overcomeFrequent obstacles, ache and pain, wandering mind, tension, and sleepiness, how to deal with each obstacle.
5 hindrancesSensual desire, ill will, restlessness and agitation, drowsiness and torpor, doubt; their causes, and the ways to prevent and overcome them.
Dhamma tutoring and meditation journalingBenefits of writing a meditation journal, inquiring about practitioners’ experiences and results, answering questions, and offering guidance.
This activity takes place every week.
Walking meditationBenefits of walking meditation; the method of walking meditation;
practice.
Loving-kindness (mettā) and its benefitsThe eleven benefits of practicing loving-kindness; the method of radiating loving-kindness; practice after every meditation session.

2. Dhamma and Vinaya

TopicDetails / Content
Precepts and the Benefits of PreceptsThe 5 Precepts, the 8 Precepts, and the 10 Precepts; the importance and benefits of observing the precepts
Monastic Discipline (Vinaya)The teachings of the Fully Enlightened Buddha; the Dhamma and Vinaya; the Saṅgha; the Triple Gem; the purpose of the Vinaya
Objectives of OrdinationWhat ordination is; the importance and benefits of ordination; the goals of ordination for the ordained
After Ordination: What to PracticeAn overview of monastic training in Buddhism according to the principles of morality (sīla), concentration (samādhi), and wisdom (paññā)
The 227 Rules of the Bhikkhu and OffencesThe enactment of disciplinary rules for bhikkhus; categories of offences and their remedies; overview and classification of the 227 rules
PārājikaThe group of Pārājika offences (4 rules); offences and penalties
SaṅghādisesaThe group of Saṅghādisesa rules (13 rules); offences and methods of correction; entering probation
Anulomika / Ancillary Topics (Anusāsana)Four types of moral decline and four types of moral increase
Proper Conduct (Sekhiya)Etiquette and proper conduct for bhikkhus: 4 categories, 75 rules
Reflections of a BhikkhuReflection on the use of the four requisites; contemplation on repulsiveness of elements; immediate, past, and frequent reflections of renunciants.
Ten Duties of a BhikkhuImportance and benefits of the routines of monks; 1. Alms round  2. Sweeping monastery grounds  3. Confession of offences  4. Chanting and meditation  5. Reflection on requisites  6. Attending teachers and preceptors  7. Care of body and possessions  8. Study of Dhamma and Vinaya  9. Attending communal affairs  10. Maintaining conduct worthy of respect
Dhammacakkappavattana SuttaMeaning, origin, importance, overview, and chanting practice.
The Four Noble TruthsDetailed explanation of suffering, origin, cessation, and the path.
The Noble Eightfold PathDetailed explanation of the eight factors in theory and practice.
The Five AggregatesForm, feeling, perception, mental formations, and consciousness, all subject to the Three Characteristics.
Life of the BuddhaBirth, renunciation, quest for liberation, enlightenment, and proclamation of the teaching.
Transmission of Buddhism and SectsEvents after the Buddha’s Parinibbāna, Buddhist councils, dissemination of Buddhism, and different sects.
Biography of PhramongkolthepmuniBirthplace, ordination aspiration, attainment of Dhamma, and propagation of Dhammakāya meditation.
Biography of Master NunMaster Nun Mahāratana Upāsikā Chand Khonnokyung, life background, spiritual turning point, discipleship, continuation of Dhammakāya teachings, and giving birth to Dhammakāya Temple.
Biography and Vision of Luang Por DhammajayoYouth, meeting with Master Nun, spiritual training, ordination, founding Wat Phra Dhammakaya, and global propagation.
Wat Phra Dhammakaya and the World Peace through Inner Peace ProjectHistory, development, branch centers, personnel, and activities under the World Peace through Inner Peace Project.
Law of KammaMeaning, types, functions, timing, and order of results.
Goals of LifeLaw of the Three Characteristics, 3 levels of life goals, life goals in this life, future lives, and the ultimate goal.
Maṅgala SuttaOrigin and explanation of the thirty-eight blessings. (Taught during the meal time)
Sarīraṭṭhadhamma SuttaTen things exist because of the body. Cold, heat, hunger, thirst, feces, urine, restraint of body, speech, and livelihood, and the will to live that leads to future lives.
GharāvāsadhammaDhamma for householder; Truthfulness, self-discipline, patience, generosity.
10 Bases of Merit (Puññakiriyavatthu)Meaning, importance, three bases and ten bases of merit.
Six Directions for a Good LifeExplanation of the Sigālovāda Sutta. Meaning of 6 directions and how to give respect to the 6 directions.
Adaptation and Maintaining the Practice after DisrobingContinuation of practice, sharing, precepts, and meditation,  association with people, how to stay connected with good friends, being the light for your family and people around you.

3. Communal Living Training

TopicDetails / Content
5 Universal GoodnessCleanliness, orderliness, politeness, punctuality, and meditation. Theory and practice.
Buddhist CultureProper ways of standing, sitting, bowing, and paying respect.
Harmonious LivingDiscipline, respect, and patience.
Sharing CirclesWeekly group meetings for sharing experiences and development.
Communal Cultivation ChoresDaily and weekly communal cleaning and shared responsibilities.

4. Ceremony and Activity

TopicDetails / Content
OrientationIntroduction to living arrangements, distribution of necessities, collection of communication devices, and accommodation assignment (Afternoon of the day before the program starts)
Opening CeremonyIntroduction of the project, objectives, teachers, and participants, experience and expectation of participants (1st day of the program)
Hair-shaving CeremonyHair-cutting, shaving, apology-seeking ritual, and offering of robes and bowl (around the 7th day of the program)
Ordination CeremonyOrdination at the preceptor’s temple (1 day after hair shaving)
Teacher–Disciple Commitment CeremonyFormal commitment to teachers and mentors, who take care of the new monks in place of the preceptors
Alms RoundVillage alms round practice.  All new monks join the alms round the day after ordination. After that each take turn to go each week
Eating from the BowlPractice mindful eating with proper etiquette
Dhamma PilgrimageWalking pilgrimage to nearby temple, listen to the teaching of the abbot of the temple (1 day activity)
School VisitVisit nearby school to teach English, activities, dhamma and meditation, and treat lunch for the students and teachers
Educational ExcursionVisits to temples and local attractions, including hot springs (1 day activity)
Certificate Presentation and Closing CeremonySummary, sharing what have been learned and improved, and certificate presentation (On the 29th day)
Disrobing and DepartureDisrobing ceremony, cleaning and returning things, and departure (On the 30th day)

5. Post-training Follow Up

ItemDetails / Content
1Participants can join LINE group or WhatsApp group to follow the activities, and to share the knowledge in Dhamma to others.
2Participants can learn Dhamma and meditate with teaching monks via online weekly meeting.
3Participants can continue the monk life or return to ordain after the program to practice further, which emphasis on meditation and living together as Sangha, and help in the future programs.