About . . .

The Chieng Mai Dhamma Study Group, now known as the 'Following the Path Foundation', is a loosely-knit group of people concerned both with practising the Buddha's Teaching and making that Teaching available to others.

The Group follows the Theravada tradition of Buddhism in the context of Thai culture and traditions. It does not adhere to any 'smaller' school, to any specific teacher, nor to any specific style of practice. Its approach is inclusive and open.

The CMDSG has recently evolved into a registered non-profit foundation, named the 'Following the Path Foundation'.

This website, produced in a low end environment, is designed with the low end in view -- 15" monitors, older computers, and connections that are slow and often erratic. (Hence this page is the most giddily graphical on the whole site.)

Wat Chetupon

Labouring with limited time, energy and talent, I would be grateful to be informed of any typographical or other mistakes you may come across in these pages.

The practice center that the foundation has been building is now available for use. It is named "Utayahn Dhamma Practice Center" and is located opposite Wat Nam Bor Luang, in Sinpatorng District on the outskirts of Chiang Mai.

There will be fairly frequent meditation retreats/courses held there -- these will usually be in Thai, but instruction and guidance in English will sometimes be available.

Every Saturday is a day of meditation practice at the new center -- currently instruction is only in Thai.

Also on Saturdays, a school for local (mostly rural) children has begun. This operates from 8.30am until 12pm. On June 1 2002 the first organized 6-months course began at this school, teaching three subjects: Ethics, Meditation, and English. The school has since continued and expanded its activities.

A newly begun activity at the Center is to hold regular Ethics-Virtue Camps for young people, mostly school pupils and students from local tertiary institutions; these meetings are led by both monk and lay teachers.

The Foundation publishes the 'Ariyadhamma' anthologies twice a year, and sponsors Dhamma talks on local radio every Saturday and Sunday.

The next meditation course arranged by the Foundation will be held at Wat Rampoeng between August 12 and 19 2006, and will accommodate 100 practitioners.

Anyone interested in any aspect of the Foundation can obtain more information from Khun Pornpun on 09-7554399. For interested English speakers, ring Ajahn Saeng on 053-212306 (mornings) or 053-270976 (afternoons) or, after 8pm, on 09-1442642, or Ajahn Roongruang on 053-353365.