Religious Studies
Our overall goal is to deliver a unique experience that is both challenging and enjoyable, through which students may:
1. Learn about Buddhism and show how it has shaped society in Thailand
2. Experience numerous temples and shrines and enjoy their splendid architecture, artwork and decoration.
3. Learn about and become captivated by the Thai culture
4. Understand the importance of meditation in developing focus, clarity, emotional positivity, and a serenity
5. Acquire knowledge and develop understanding of the beliefs, values, and traditions of Thai people
Opportunities to fulfil these Aims include
- Visiting the most important temples (wats) in Bangkok, including the Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew)
- Participating in a Buddhist meditation class at Wat Mahathat, Bangkok
- Day trip to Death Railway and the Bridge on the River Kwai, with a visit to the War Museum to learn about the conditions that the allies had to endure during the Second World War
- Walking through the Cave Temple of the Golden Dragon
- See the floating nun who strikes Buddha-like poses as she floats in her pool
- Offering alms to the monks
- Participating in a ‘monk-chat’ in Chiang Mai
- Visiting the temples of Chiang Mai, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Suan Dok and Wat U Mong
- Visits to Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok (Best of Thailand programme only) will allow students to understand the three most important periods of Thai history
School groups will follow either the Best of Thailand or the Thailand Adventure programme with the following subject-specific activities on days 3, 4, 8 & 9
After your visit to Damnoen Saduak floating market in the morning, you will be taken to the famous Wat Mahathat in Bangkok, which houses the Vipassana Meditation Centre. Here, you will join a 3 hour class to learn the basics of ‘insight meditation’ that will allow you to gain focus, positivity, clarity and serenity.
A full day’s excursion to Kanchanaburi for a taste of the jungle and WW2 history. You’ll visit the War Museum and the Bridge over the River Kwai, before taking a train journey on Death Railway! You will also visit the quirky Temple of the Golden Dragon, located inside a cave, which houses a floating nun in her own pool!
Today, you’ll take a tour of Chiang Mai, ‘The Capital of the North’. You will see the city walls and moat, before heading for three of the city’s most famous temples; Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Wat Chedi Luang and Wat U Mong. Afterwards, there should be plenty of time for a traditional Thai massage before dinner.
Today we will take you to Wat Suan Dok with its huge 500 year old bronze Buddha and the white chedi cemetery of the former Thai royal family. You will take part in a ‘Monk Chat’; an informal discussion between yourselves and young Buddhist monks and their teacher. You will both learn much from each another.
If you would like to make an enquiry about this trip then click here :