Monday 24 November 2025 at Baan Aree Foundation, Bangkok: 18.30-20.00 hrs.
You are cordially invited to join us on 24 November 2025, when Dr. Kalsang Dawa will be leading the Monday night meditation at Baan Aree, the beautiful location so generously made available to us by the Baan Aree foundation.
What is mind, in its deepest sense? Tibetan Buddhism —especially the Dzogchen tradition— invites us to look beyond thoughts and emotions to recognize rigpa, the mind’s true nature: empty in essence, luminous in quality, and boundless like space.
This talk explores the direct, experiential approach of Tibetan contemplative traditions to realizing this innate awareness. Rather than a philosophical inquiry, it is a path of unveiling what has always been present, yet obscured.
Through essential teachings and methods, we’ll reflect on how recognizing the nature of mind becomes the foundation for true freedom, compassion, and awakening.
Whether you are a long-time practitioner or simply seeking clarity, this session offers a chance to return to the source—the natural state that underlies all paths. We’ll also engage in meditation and contemplative inquiry on mind and awareness together.
Everyone is welcome, from beginners to experienced meditators. We meet to support and encourage each other in our practice.
Programme:
6:00 pm Baan Aree opens
6:30 pm Dhamma talk
7:30 pm Q&A
7:45 pm Session ends
8:00 pm Baan Aree closes
Baan Aree is a Thai Buddhist Center, please wear something that is comfortable to sit in, and avoid tight-fitting clothes, shorts, sleeveless tops, and short skirts. As Thailand is mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother, the Thai government asked people to cooperate in wearing black or non-vibrant tones for a period of 90 days, if possible.
There may not be sufficient drinking water on site, therefore you may bring your own water in a closed container. No other food/drinks are allowed in the main room.
As is usual with Buddhist teachings, there is no charge for this event. However, the Little Bangkok Sangha follows the Buddhist custom of Dana (generosity). The teachings and the venue are offered as an act of generosity, and those receiving them can, if they wish, reciprocate by making donations. These go towards the teacher’s and venue’s costs. Boxes for Dana will be provided.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Kalsang Dawa (Krisadawan Metavikul) is a teacher of Tibetan Buddhism and a scholar of Tibetan studies. Formerly an associate professor at Chulalongkorn University, she is the president of the Thousand Stars Foundation, founder of Kundrol Dechen Ling (Khadiravana Retreat Center) in Hua Hin, as well as the Dechen Institute and Dakini Meditation Center in Bangkok.
Dr. Kalsang Dawa completed advanced meditation training under the lineage of Shardza Tashi Gyaltsen Rinpoche, part of the ancient and profound Yungdrung Bon tradition, at Tokden Monastery, Tibet. She has also studied with respected masters from other Tibetan lineages, which form her non-sectarian perspective.
She has undertaken numerous intensive retreats, including a 100-day tummo retreat and a 49-day dark retreat based on Dzogchen instructions, as the first woman to complete this century-old meditation curriculum as preserved at Tokden.
In Thailand, Dr. Kalsang Dawa has laid the foundation for Tibetan Buddhist education and practice, and is now developing an international advanced meditation program. One of her undertakings is the construction of the Great Stupa for Peace and Harmony at Kundrol Dechen Ling, envisioned as a sacred space for practice and a college for the complete and systematic transmission of Sutra, Tantra, and especially Dzogchen teachings.
We plan a live broadcast of this talk on our Facebook group and the Baan Aree YouTube channel:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/littlebangkoksangha
https://www.youtube.com/@Baanaree2020/streams
It is also recorded for later viewing.
Please see this map for directions:
https://goo.gl/maps/1FuCuvCtNdPMAL4F9