With a noble cause to spread the philosophies and principles of Buddhism among the masses, the government of Thailand and the Buddhist monks joined their hands and established several monasteries including the one in Bodh Gaya, the land of the Buddha's enlightenment. Established in 1957, the Thai monastery not only presents the colours of the Thai culture and tradition, but at the same time along with its residents - the monks, play a vital role in the spread of the Buddhist ideologies.

The Thai monastery, built typically as per the Thai architecture, houses a Buddhist temple, which further contain images of the Lord Buddha in different forms. These images have also been carved with Buddhist scriptures, while at the same time the Buddhist symbols and other auspicious Buddhist objects can also be found in the monastic temples.

The Thai monastery also organise retreats every year in the month of January. These retreats are mainly held in silence except a few as an exception such as interactive sessions and personal or group meetings. With a maximum capacity of 135 people, these retreats include meditation practices, teachings on awakening, insight meditation or Vipassana(sitting, walking, reclining and eating), instructions on Yoga and interactive session on liberation and daily life issues. The evening talks can be attended by the general public as well, but smoking and other sins are banned for all in retreats at the monastery.


Bodhgaya
A home to many temples and monasteries, Bodh Gaya is a major sacred destination for all the Buddhists. It was at Bodh Gaya, where after trying almost everything to search the reality and aim of life, a young man sat under the Bodhi tee, meditated and ultimately realised the divine light of enlightenment and came to be known as the Lord Gautam Buddha.


Other Attractions of Bodhgaya

• Maha Bodhi Tree : The Maha Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya is 115 years old and a fifth generation plant of the original peepal tree under which Siddhartha Gautama had meditated, achieved enlightenment and became the Lord Buddha. Standing as high as 80 feet, the Maha Bodhi tree is the most sacred spot at Bodh Gaya.
  
  
• Maha Bodhi Temple : Standing in front of the Maha Bodhi tree, the Maha Bodhi temple marks the place of the Buddha's enlightenment. The temple also comprises a 50 meter high tower containing an image of the Buddha, a Shiva lingam(Hindu deity) and several other Buddhist figures.
  
  
• Lotus Tank : The lotus tank is a pond inside the Maha Bodhi temple complex, where the Lord Buddha used to take a bath.

Festivals
The Thai monastery celebrates Buddha Jayanti every year on a full moon night in the month of Vaishakha or April-May to commemorate the Buddha's enlightenment. Besides, they also celebrates other occasions like the birth anniversary of Anagrika Dharmapala on 17th September and Hiroshima day on 6th August.