Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in Thailand
- Although Thailand's economy is improving, there is still a wide gap between the rich and the poor.
- The majority of Thailand's poor live in rural areas, with a lack of education being a main contributor to poverty.
- Due to economical developments, environmental degradation is evident. The decline of biodiversity and deforestation is increasing.
- The expliotation of animals in Thailand is a big problem. With many being beaten and held in small cages for the tourist trade.
WHAT does Buddhist Experience Involve?
- Immerse yourself in a new experience
- learn about Thai Buddhism
- Take part in daily activities
- Challenge yourself by practicing meditation, chanting, talking with the monks and living their lifestyle
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 30 Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: THAI BUDDHISM EXPERIENCE
LOCATION: CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
START DATES: WEEKLY START DATES (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS)
MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK
MIN AGE: 16+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required
Overview
During the program, you will stay overnight at the Wat Khao Tao Temple for a couple of days. The monk who will be teaching you is experienced in sharing Buddhist knowledge in English, and your assigned coordinator will be there to assist with any language barriers or other needs.
This program is designed for beginners but also welcomes more experienced individuals. The daily routine in the temple starts early, typically around 5:00 AM, with morning chanting and short meditation. After that, the monks will go on Pindabat (receiving alms), then return to the temple for breakfast at around 8:00 AM.
After breakfast, participants will have some free time to shower and rest before learning about the introduction to Buddhism and Thai meditation. This will be followed by meditation practices, including mindfulness with breathing and trying out different postures such as sitting, walking, and lying down to determine which posture is most suitable for each individual.
Lunch will start at 11:00 AM (Buddhist monks eat only one or two meals per day and do not eat after midday, but participants can choose to have dinner or not). In the afternoon, you will continue with meditation practice for 1-2 hours and then have some free time to practice more on your own or help with chores in the temple.
At around 6:00 or 7:00 PM, the monks will conduct evening chanting and meditation, followed by a discussion and question-and-answer session about Buddhism with the monk. Please note that the accommodations at the monastery will be simple, with only a mattress, pillow, and blanket provided.
Location
Chiang Mai is a city in northern Thailand known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. It is a popular destination for tourists, with attractions such as ancient temples, night markets, and trekking in the nearby mountains. In addition to its religious sites, Chiang Mai is also famous for its vibrant night markets, where visitors can find a variety of local crafts, souvenirs, and delicious street food.
Project Tasks
- Give you exposure to Buddhist way of life.
- Help you familiarise with Buddhist culture and teachings
Food & Accommodation
You will stay in a nice volunteer house with all the standard facilities like WiFi, hot showers and aircon/fans. Rooms are single gender and fit 4-8 people. Private rooms can be booked for an additional fee. We also have an open and lovely lakeside where you can get some fresh air. There is also a beautiful dining area where you can have a cup of tea and coffee and hang out with fellow volunteers. Table tennis is also available!
3 meals a day are provided, and 2 on weekends. All the meals served inside the accommodation are homestyle, vegetarian-friendly and you can expect that they will be typically Thai style dishes, including plenty of rice or noodle dishes with vegetables and occasionally some meat and fish will be provided as well, along with seasonal fruits for dessert.
While we do our best to accommodate our participants, what we provide for most meals is local cuisine. If you are a picky eater or allergies, have dietary restrictions, or if you think that you will not be satisfied with the local dishes provided, you might want to consider supplementing our menu with your own western type foods and snacks that are more to your liking.
Standard
Projects
- Cultural Orientation Week, Chiang Mai
- English Teaching, Chiang Mai
- Kindergarten Teaching, Chiang Mai
- *Buddhist Monestary Experience, Chiang Mai
- *Construction, Chiang Mai
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1 Week - $455
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2 Weeks - $575
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3 Weeks - $825
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1 Month - $1055
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2 Months - $2155
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3 Months - $3150
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
If you are interested in Thai and Buddhist culture and do not mind a challenge then yes! The lifestyle will be much simpler than you are used to and it may take a while to adjust but go with an open mind and enjoy the experience. This is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in Buddhist culture and to learn in-depth abouthow then monks live.
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Chiang Mai Airport (CNX), Level 1, Door 5. You must arrive between 08.00 and 16:00 on Sunday.
If arriving outside the pickup times you will need to pay an additional fee for any extra night’s accommodation, and a private transfer to our accommodation.
Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).
From the airport to the accommodation in Chiang Mai, it takes around 30-45 mins by Taxi/Song Teaw. This is not including any delays that may occur.
Monday
Introduction about Buddhism; Learn about meditation and Buddhism ethics (how to pray and kneel, how to act around monks, etc).
Watch a documentary about Buddha & Buddhism.
Tuesday
Monk Chat & Learn about Buddhism
Meditation Practice
Temple Cleaning
Wednesday
Monk Chat & Learn about Buddhism
Meditation Practice
Temple Cleaning
Thursday
Monk Chat & Learn about Buddhism
Meditation Practice
Temple Cleaning
Friday
Monk Chat & Learn about Buddhism
Meditation Practice
Temple Cleaning
Offering and get blessings from Buddhist Monks.
- Visit ancient temples – Chiang Mai is home to over 330 Buddhist temples, many of which are centuries old. Some of the most famous temples include Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Phra Singh.
- Explore the night markets – Chiang Mai has several night markets, where visitors can shop for souvenirs, handicrafts, and local cuisine. The most popular markets include the Sunday Night Walking Street and the Night Bazaar.
- Trek in the mountains – Chiang Mai is surrounded by beautiful mountains and forests. Visitors can go trekking, hiking, or mountain biking in the nearby Doi Inthanon National Park or Mae Sa Valley.
- Learn about the local culture – Chiang Mai has a rich cultural heritage, and visitors can learn about traditional crafts, music, and dance at places like the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center or the Lanna Folklife Museum.
- Take a cooking class – Thai cuisine is famous worldwide, and visitors to Chiang Mai can take a cooking class to learn how to prepare traditional dishes like pad Thai or green curry.
- Attend a festival – Chiang Mai hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Yi Peng Lantern Festival and the Songkran Water Festival.
White clothes that covers knees and shoulders.
For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: TH – Holidays – All Programs
With a long sandy coastline and jungle-topped islands anchored in crystal blue waters Thailand is a tropical getaway and favorite traveling destination for holiday makers and volunteers from all over the world. Thailand’s culture is generous, warm and outgoing and the cuisine is world renowned for a tropical abundance of fresh and varied flavors of spicy, sweet, salty and sour.
Thailand is a fascinating and exotic country to explore. Through volunteering, you’ll gain a love in the people, culture, scenery, cuisine and in the overall lifestyle of Thailand.
We offer diverse project options catering to many different interests. Volunteering is the ideal way of assimilating into the local Thai culture and experiencing the real lifestyle in Thailand.
November to Febuary is the best time to visit Thailand, with a pleasent temperature through most of the country. From March to May temperatures can get very hot. The monsoon rains start from about June to October. Showers usually are quite predictabe and come in short bursts, so this time of year can be great to visit, as everything is so green and there are fewer crowds!
Temperatures are around 30 degrees on average throughout the year. If in the North of Thailand in the winter, evenings can get quite chilly, so bring some warm clothes too!
Vietnam has one of the oldest cultures in South East Asia, creating a rich history with ancient traditions dating back thousands of years. It also has a large Chinese influence. Elders are very well respected in Vietnamese culture, the older you are, the more respect is shown to you. ‘Saving face’ is a concept shown by most Vietnamese people and is thought of as extremely important in their culture. This means that if you feel angered or annoyed by someone, you do not show it and remain respectful. If you lose your temper/ are rude, then this is seen as losing face and therefore a loss of reputation and self-respect.
Vietnamese is the most widely spoken language, other languages include Chinese, Khmer, Cham and tribal dialects. Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism are the main religious beliefs in Vietnam, and you will find many temples dotted around the country. You will often see the local people giving fruits and burning incense to give as offerings.
30 Years Non Profit Experience
IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
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