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Ban Dvara Prateep, a House of Culture and Meditation Retreat

Project ‘Baan Rao’ trains wayward children to reenter society

Ban Dvara Prateep, a House of Culture and Meditation Retreat

Pratheep “Peter” Malhotra

So you work 12 hours a day, maybe more, everyday, week after week, month after month, year after year. You reach that point where you think, or rather don’t think anymore that, you are were destined to a life time of labour, mental stress and physical pains.

A Buddhist temple looms over the Koh Kred river bank as the morning breaks.

I didn’t realise that I had crossed that threshold years ago. Family and friends insisted I take a break and go away for a while. I just smiled and said to myself. ‘right, and just sit under a coconut tree and do nothing for a week. Hah! that would really drive me crazy.’

The group on the way to Koh Kred.

We all know but tend to ignore the fact, which a person really reaches a point where it doesn’t really matter any more if we are in pain. It hardly registers, but we know that it is extremely dangerous to both one’s physical and mental health.

Mrs.Kasemsook Bhamornsatit in all her radiance.

Some close friends had been pestering me for months to forget work for a couple of days and go with them for a weekend of peace and meditation. ‘Right, meditation’, I thought, I can’t even remain still for two minutes let alone sitting in a still posture for a longer period with my mind in a blank.

But deep down, I knew that I desperately needed it, so finally I relented and said, ‘I’ll go’.

The unique chedi at the corner where the canal meets the main river.

We drove off early one Saturday morning arriving just after day break, at a quiet pier on the banks of the mighty Chao Phya River in Pak-kred, Nonthaburi Province, near Bangkok.

Dr. Vichit Kittipongkosol: ‘Breathing must come from the centre of your being.’

Our group consisted of people from different walks of life, countries and cultures. We were a school teacher, a government official, a business man with his wife and young son, my son, a high school graduate from India, a high tech team building trainer and her daughter who is a college student from Sydney, Australia. Also included was an adventurous housewife from Finland whose husband is an executive at one of the international companies on the eastern seaboard of Thailand.

An old photograph showing how the man made canal created the island.

After a short while of just enjoying the peaceful cool morning air and watching the river come to life as boats of different shapes and sizes navigated up and down the legendary waterway, a passenger ferry pulled up to the pier and we all climbed aboard for our final leg of what was destined to be one of the most peaceful, emotionally moving and spiritually invigorating two days of our lives at Baan Dvara Prateep on the river island of Koh Kred.

Ban Dvara Prateep showing the row of rooms on the left and the multi purpose living room on the right.

The boat trip was a short one. We sailed along the river, silently watching life on the riverbanks, trying to picture in our minds of what we would experience once we arrived.

Dr. Vichit led us through some basic exercises using the centralization meditation through relaxation techniques.

As we reached the corner of where the canal joined the main river we saw an old chedi (pagoda) draped in a red sash. This was a unique chedi. It looked as if it was made out of a child’s clay putty and had turned and twisted out of shape.

This phenomenon, we were told was caused by the floods, as Koh Kred has been inundated by the rising river many a time and with that has caused this chedi to twist out of shape. The chedi is watched over carefully and any repairs are immediately undertaken by the island inhabitants, as they believe that if the chedi ever collapsed they would suffer a major catastrophe which would devastate the island.

The history of Koh Kred Island is a unique one. Up until the earlier part of the seventeenth century the island was part of the mainland through which the mighty Chao Phaya River flowed. At this point particularly the river takes a huge ‘S’ bend coming back around. In the year 1636 A.D. King Prasart Thong commanded that a canal be dug as a short cut from Ban Talad Khwan to the mouth of Bang Kruai Canal a total distance of 5 kilometres. The original canal was only about 8 metres wide, but with the erosion caused by swift currents during several centuries, the canal became a major waterway measuring over 100 metres across, hence cutting off this land mass and effectively creating an island now known as Koh Kred (Kred Island).

Koh Kred Island with a land area of 5 square kilometres was developed in the Ayudhaya period by King ‘Tai Sa’ in 1722 A.D. Legend has it that in those days huge communities of the Mon people were migrating into Siam, so King Tai Sa, in all his wisdom allowed them to settle on Koh Kred because the island was ideal for containing the migrants into one area for easy monitoring of their movements.

Pa Sai joins the group in performing the Kasemsook Movement.

Arriving at the Baan Dvara Prateep pier, we were welcomed by the host who guided us up a walkway built on stilts that led us into the sanctuary. We had heard so much of this place and even more of the person who built this home, not only as a sanctuary for herself but also to share this humble abode with those who wished to escape the hustle and bustle of city life if only for a brief respite.

The priceless sunset over Koh Kred as seen form the boat.

The charming host gave us a brief introduction, ‘Baan Dvara Prateep is known as the House of Knowledge and Sweet Sacred for those who seek real relaxation and inner peace through meditation. At the same time, there is also a good opportunity to learn about Thai culture and the way of the river dwellers. But most of all, one attains true happiness that enlightens the mind. It is like seeing the radiant light of a candle in the dark walking through the “Gate of Light” which is what Baan Dvara-Prateep literally means in Thai.

Johanna did remarkably well at the fine art of flower arrangements demonstration.

The house belongs to the person who is considered the leading proponent of meditation, namely Mrs. Kasemsook Bhamornsatit also known as Pa Sai (Aunty Sai). Pa Sai has dedicated more than half her life time teaching meditation. She built her home as a meditation retreat for herself and her colleagues, but because of her strong desire to help other people suffering from stress and depression, she agreed to open the doors of her home to selected people.

Alisa gives alms to the monk on his tiny sampan.

Baan Dvara Prateep is a compound of brand new wooden buildings erected on wooden stilts by the river bank. Behind the compound is a vast area of fruit plantations. A small village with its narrow walkways built on stilts lies further inland. Accommodation is simple yet very comfortable. The house has its own kitchen and the family members’ creativity in the preparation of meals never ceased to amaze us. A large meditation and exercise room and the multi-purpose living room make up the rest of the quarters in the retreat. There are no television sets and refrigerators in the bedrooms. For the sake of our health, alcoholic drinks and smoking cigarettes were strictly prohibited. This sure was going to be a cleansing experience, we thought, really looking forward to a couple of dry healthy days.

Sue at peace with herself through meditation.

After our refreshments there was no time to waste and we were led into the exercise room where we were greeted by Dr. Vichit Kittipongkosol. A soft-spoken and gentle person, Dr. Vichit spoke to us about understanding Thai culture and the purpose of meditation. He led us through some basic exercises using the centralization meditation through relaxation techniques.

Most importantly he taught us how to breathe properly. ‘Proper breathing improves blood circulation and relieves stress. Breathing must come from the centre of your being.’ He showed us a simple way of how to find our centre. ‘Stand up against a wall and stretch your arms above your heads. Mark the point where your finger tips touch the wall. Now divide the whole length into half. That is the centre point of your body and spirit. That’s where your breathing should be concentrated.’ What a revelation it was for me.

Dr Vichit lectured on the characteristics, forms and philosophy of the Pagodas and Stupas in the museum.

After learning some of the basics we adjourned for lunch. That was the fun part as we had to make our own bowl of noodles. Of course we were also treated a variety of dishes in the dining room. This weekend, we thought, we can forget about our promises of dieting.

The afternoon session was the highlight. This was when Pa Sai guided us through the Kasemsook Movement exercise culminating in a meditation sitting. For someone who had never had such an experience, I was rather nervous, not knowing what would happen and where it would take me. Maybe I was afraid to find the real inner me. I could like it so much that it would change my life forever. How would I come back to be the same tough boss like before? To better understand the purpose of this exercise, we were first informed of its meaning. ‘The Kasemsook Movement for Better Health and Mind is named after the creator of the programme and literally means the ‘Happiness Movement.’  The Kasemsook Movement is not an exercise that involves jumping around, nor is it athletic exertions, aerobics or any sort of play. The movement was created to adjust the balance of the body system by enhancing blood circulation, so as to help dissipate any left over lactic acid which causes exhaustion.

The whole family was at the pier to bid us fond farewell.

Pa Sai was involved in two major car accidents which caused multiple injuries to her neck, shoulders and abdomen. She was in constant pain and her physical movements were restricted. She could not exercise nor perform yoga which she loved to do.

To overcome these challenges, Pa Sai invented what she calls the ‘body movement for happiness’. The movements derive from Classical Thai dancing, Tai-Chi and her own imagination. This movement is now an integral part of her “Body & Mind Solution” course.

Pa Sai was appointed the Educational Consultant for the schools in Pattaya where the Kasemsook Movement has now been adopted as an integral part of the ‘Happiness Camp’ and ‘Happiness from teachers to students’ training programs.

We enjoyed doing the exercise tremendously as there was no exertion and one felt truly invigorated, experiencing the tingling feeling on our fingertips and the sensation of blood circulating through our bodies. We were encouraged to do these movements often, whether at home or in the office. Yanni’s beautiful musical piece ‘Tribute’ was played during the exercise which stimulated the body and the mind like no other experience that you ever had.

The session ends with us all sitting on the floor as Pa Sai led us into deep meditation through music appreciation, gently speaking to us throughout, soothing us with her soft words and pulling us back into the path of serenity and calm when we tended to slip away. Pa Sai is one lovely lady. One could just sit, look at her and listen to her for hours. She has such a wonderful aura of calm about her.

Late afternoon we went on a boat ride around the island and watched the beautiful sunset. Back home we were treated to a demonstration of flower arrangements and fruit carving. The guests were encouraged to join in.

We repeated the same exercise and meditation in the evening, before retiring early to bed. With no drinks and no television, one slept peacefully undisturbed by the poisons that one would get in our normal environs and lifestyles.

At 5.30 the next morning we gathered on the pier to await the arrival of a monk so we could offer him alms and make merit. We held our breaths, for as if in a dream, out of the misty darkness of the river a sampan came into sight, paddled by a solitary Buddhist monk, making his early morning rounds to receive alms from the inhabitants along the river banks. After receiving alms, he blessed all of us, before slipping away into the darkness. We stood in silence and watched him row away, until he was out of sight.

The second day was a repeat of the first in exercises and meditation. As a bonus we were given a tour of the Home Museum for Stupa Study by Dr Vichit and learned many interesting aspects of the forms and philosophy of the Pagodas and Stupas pertaining to the Buddhist religion.

Late afternoon we said our goodbyes and boarded the ferry for our return journey to the frenzied world outside, hoping that the calm and peace of mind that we had attained in the two days here at the sanctuary, would remain with us until we returned again to re-enforce them.

The whole family was at the pier to bid us fond farewell, making us promise that we would come to visit them again. We promised that we would.

Anyone interested in joining a group to Ban Dvara Prateep, please contact M.A.Language Centre, Tel. 038 427236,
E-mail: [email protected] Khun Alvi Tel. 01 8645754
or Khun Jintana 01 6135719


Project ‘Baan Rao’ trains wayward children to reenter society

Ariyawat Nuamchareon

Somtavil Suphamongkol (Khun Tiew), the manager of Baan Rao (Our House) in Plutaluang, Sattahip welcomed guests and press to the opening of the new house last week. Baan Rao is a place where children who were completing their time in the detention center received hands-on experience in various employment before they leave the center.

Thanks to generous members of society, many wayward kids will receive a second chance at being productive in their lives.

On the first day of operation, there were 7 girls aged between 16 and 17 in the program. Those girls were trained how to sew blankets and quilts. Tiew said products made by the children would be put in markets for selling.

Benevolent sponsors, including the Jesters MC Club, gather outside the new building.

Tiew explained the project started because of three important private associations. The Jesters donated bed mattresses and sewing machines. The Pattaya International Ladies Club supported the house with home furniture and clothes cabinets. The Rayong Ladies’ Circle sponsored mosquito nets and window protective metal work.

There is no mistaking the Jesters when they rumble into a venue.

“The house was built to provide hands-on experience for children who were about to leave the detention center and return to society. Children here learn basic skills on the work that they like and are most proficient in. The kids are lucky to have skilled instructors who volunteer to teach them,” Tiew said.

Tiew added she hoped after the kids attended the lessons, they would be able to earn their living and have a better life. Lastly she thanked everyone for all the support that was shared by the three associations and many kind-hearted society members.

Father Giovanni explains how the programs works.

Khun Tiew shows off some of the finished products on sale that day at the house.


Skal International