Guidelines for Development of the Meditation Center of Phra That Chang Kham Temple, Nong Charoen Branch, Nan Province

Abstract

The purpose of this article was: 1) to study the history and development of the meditation center of Phra That Chang Kham Temple, Nong Charoen Branch, Nan Province; 2) to study the meditation practice model of Phra That Chang Kham Temple, Nong Charoen Branch, Nan Province; and 3) to propose guidelines for development of the meditation center of Phra That Chang Kham Temple, Nong Charoen Branch, Nan Province. This research was qualitative research, studying data from documents and fieldwork, interviewing 25 key informants, holding focus groups with 10 experts.  The data was analyzed by descriptive content methods.

The research revealed that: 1) at first, the practice of meditation center of Phra That Chang Kham Temple, Nong Charoen branch was based on Samma Arahang method. Later, in 2011 until now, it changed to Satipatthana 4 method from Samatha meditation to Vipassana meditation; 2) the practice model of Phra That Chang Kham Temple, Nong Charoen branch was modeled after Phra That Si Chom Thong Temple, Chiang Mai Province. It had been adjusted to suit the context of meditation center and practitioners; 3) guidelines for development of the meditation center of Phra That Chang Kham Temple, Nong Charoen Branch had 4 aspects: : (1) Mind Space: the area for taking care of the mind should be safe, simple, peaceful and private. (2) Garden Space: the garden area should be designed based on the principles of nature, shady and clean. (3) Learning Space: the learning area should have learning support throughout the area, flexible and adjustable to support a variety of activities. And, (4) Smart Farm Space: the new agricultural area should use technology to help manage it, such as an automatic watering system and organic vegetable gardening, in order to create the meditation center as an educational park integrating agriculture with meditation.