Name of Center: Dhamma Kamala

Address: 200 Baan Nern-Pasook (Behind Thai-Rath Vitaya 7 School)
Tambol Dong-Kee-Lek, Amphur Muang, Prachinburi 25000
Thailand

Phone Number: [66] (081) 646-4695

Website: The official site is http://www.kamala.dhamma.org/.
Digital photos of the center can be found at http://www.flashband.net/photos/vip2004.php

Contact Email: info@kamala.dhamma.org

Tradition(s): This is an SN Goenka center

Technique(s): Body-scan vipassana, anapana meditation, loving-kindness (metta)

Teacher(s): S.N. Goenka and his Assistant Teachers

Cost: Free

Accommodations: The dorm buildings have single rooms, but the rooms are open on top like bathroom stalls. The women's dorm has mosquito screens on the windows, but men still had to use mosquito nets over their beds as of 2006. Bathrooms are shared in each dorm, and there is an area for washing and drying laundry.

Facilities: Separate dorms and dining halls for men and women, a large meditation hall, and a pagoda with individual cells for meditation.

Physical Setting: Dhamma Kamala is set in a beautiful rural area of Thailand outside of Bangkok. Look for digital photos on the web to see just how beautiful this place is.

Food (Vegetarian/Vegan/etc.): Vegetarian Thai food.

Retreat Length(s): The standard course is 10 days.

Typical Schedule: Same as every other Goenka course site

Issues of Rites/Rituals: Pretty much every Thai person bows after group sittings, but this is not mandatory.

Issues of Proper Dress: No tank tops or shorts. If it is monsoon season, you will need rubber sandals or flip-flops.

Issues of Etiquette: No talking until the last day.

Issues of Language: Most teachers at this center do not speak English, but they always have a translator available for interviews. Instructions given by S.N. Goenka on audio and video tape are followed by Thai translations (also on tape). This means that any given instructions take twice as long to deliver. English-speaking students get to watch the discourse videos in a special separate room.

Health Issues: Bring bug spray!

Logistical Issues: Dhamma Kamala sends a chartered bus to central Bangkok to pick everyone up before each course, and another to drop them off at the end. Maybe 90% of students take this bus.

Strengths: Beautiful facilities, great food, a chance to mingle silently with a group of Thai people. Travellers often make new friends here.

Weaknesses: Mosquitoes can be quite fierce in the dining hall, though they are not a problem in the meditation hall. Your communications with the AT will be limited by the skills of the tranlsator.

Other Comments: Somehow the language barrier between student and assistant teacher can actually make it easier to shut up and meditate well.

Overall Impression: A lovely place.

Worthy of recommendation on the Dharma Overground? Yes.