Forest temple with meditation class
Also known as Wat Pa (meaning forest temple), this temple is not historically significant like Wat Sisaket or Wat Phiawat but the large forested grounds are lovely and it ranks as one of our favourite temples in Vientiane.
The shady spot is a retreat from the modern world and it’s pleasant to just get off the bicycle and take a meditative stroll around. It’s also a great excuse to venture out of the downtown core.
The buildings are modern constructions and like all wats, there is a sim (congregational hall), drum chapel and monks quarters.
Wat Sokpaluang was known for its traditional sauna, massage and Vipassana Buddhist meditation courses. Sadly, the sauna and massage building burnt down in 2013 and it has not been rebuilt. Meditation class is led by monks in English and it includes both seated and walking meditation. It’s held every Saturday from 16:00 to 17:30, and is free but donations to the temple would be welcome.
Reviewed by
Cindy Fan
Cindy Fan is a Canadian writer/photographer and author of So Many Miles, a website that chronicles the love of adventure, food and culture. After falling in love with sticky rice and Mekong sunsets, in 2011 she uprooted her life in Toronto to live la vida Laos. She’s travelled to over 40 countries and harbours a deep affection for Africa and Southeast Asia. In between jaunts around the world, she calls Laos and Vietnam home where you’ll find her traipsing through rice paddies, standing beside broken-down buses and in villages laughing with the locals.
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