VIPASSANA RETREAT WITH ANTHONY MARKWELL
'EXPRESS TRAIN TO NIBANNA'
'EXPRESS TRAIN TO NIBANNA'
March 5 - 26, 2026
Indriya Retreat, Pangan
Indriya Retreat, Pangan
The retreat is held in person
All lectures during the retreat will be conducted by Teacher Anthony Markwell in the meditation hall in-person.
Dates and program
March, 4
March, 4
Orientation day
March, 5
March, 5
10:00 a.m. – Registration
02:00 p.m. – Retreat begins
02:00 p.m. – Retreat begins
March 6 - 25
March 6 - 25
14 full days of intensive meditation practice
March, 26
March, 26
Morning – Retreat ends, integration day begins
March, 27
March, 27
Integration day
What is a retreat?
The word "retreat" literally means "seclusion" and is commonly used internationally to denote a period of solitude dedicated to intensive practice, deep learning, or creativity.
A retreat implies that a person withdraws from society and their daily routine for a certain period (several days or even weeks) to rest, live simply, alone, in silence, and in nature.
Most retreats take place in quiet natural settings, away from the noise and hustle of big cities.
Retreat programs at the Indriya Retreat center offer opportunities for a profound and authentic retreat experience.
A retreat is not an entertainment program or a pursuit of excitement; it is a deep internal practice aimed at healing the mind and heart through intensive meditation.
A retreat implies that a person withdraws from society and their daily routine for a certain period (several days or even weeks) to rest, live simply, alone, in silence, and in nature.
Most retreats take place in quiet natural settings, away from the noise and hustle of big cities.
Retreat programs at the Indriya Retreat center offer opportunities for a profound and authentic retreat experience.
A retreat is not an entertainment program or a pursuit of excitement; it is a deep internal practice aimed at healing the mind and heart through intensive meditation.
- Several days in silence without your phone enjoying a break from the information flow
- Slowing down, releasing tension, and feeling the healing power of the present moment
- Improving health and establishing a healthy daily routine
- Calm mind, better concentration
- Radical increase in your energy level
- Fresh perception bringing you back to enjoying simple things
- Connection with your intuition, fresh creative ideas
- Uplifted spirit and inspiration for new achievements
WHAT MAKES A VIPASSANA RETREAT UNIQUE
So, retreats can vary based on the key method or teaching.
As the name suggests, a meditation retreat primarily involves learning meditation skills and intensive practice.
Participants in meditation retreats at our centers practice Mindfulness techniques, a type of secular meditation well known in the West, free from any religious component or dogmatism.
As the name suggests, a meditation retreat primarily involves learning meditation skills and intensive practice.
Participants in meditation retreats at our centers practice Mindfulness techniques, a type of secular meditation well known in the West, free from any religious component or dogmatism.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
OUR RETREATS:
The program is free from any worship. All practices focus solely on training the mental faculties.
There are statues of the Buddha on the grounds, and you will be expected to follow the general cultural rules of the country. These rules are simple and will be explained during the orientation talk. There are no obligatory religious rituals.
As a result of practice:
- Stress and anxiety decrease
- Fears and obsessive thoughts become less frequent
- The mind becomes calm and clear
- Connection with the body improves, developing bodily awareness
- The skill of being present in the moment and awareness in daily activities is developed
- It is easier not to identify with emotional states
- Automatic reactions fade away
- There is greater acceptance of life in all its aspects, as it is
- Meditation helps release the burden of regrets about the past, worries, and negative emotions
- The skill of maintaining an even, objective, and equanimous attitude towards events is cultivated
- Emotional intelligence, empathy, and compassion for yourself and others are developed
About the teacher
Anthony Markwell
Anthony Markwell, a former Buddhist monk from Australia, first came to Thailand in 1991, where he developed an interest in Buddhism and met his first teacher at Wat Don Put monastery — a meeting that marked the beginning of his spiritual journey. Inspired by the teachings, Anthony ordained as a monk and devoted himself to the practice and study of the Dhamma.
For several years, Anthony was a resident teacher at Wat Kow Tahm monastery on Koh Phangan, Thailand. Students who attended his retreats speak of them with great enthusiasm. Participants appreciate Anthony’s ability to explain the Buddha’s teachings with clarity, warmth, and deep understanding. He is well-versed in the Pali Canon, the collection of the Buddha’s discourses, and places special emphasis on Satipatthana — the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.
Anthony spent 11 years in monastic life, conducting Vipassana retreats in monasteries across Myanmar and Thailand. In 2006, he returned to Melbourne, where he lived a lay life for some time.
Eventually, he left his job, sold his property, and returned to Thailand to establish Indriya Retreat on Koh Phangan — a center he founded as both the spiritual heart of his teaching and a space dedicated to deep meditation practice.
For several years, Anthony was a resident teacher at Wat Kow Tahm monastery on Koh Phangan, Thailand. Students who attended his retreats speak of them with great enthusiasm. Participants appreciate Anthony’s ability to explain the Buddha’s teachings with clarity, warmth, and deep understanding. He is well-versed in the Pali Canon, the collection of the Buddha’s discourses, and places special emphasis on Satipatthana — the Four Foundations of Mindfulness.
Anthony spent 11 years in monastic life, conducting Vipassana retreats in monasteries across Myanmar and Thailand. In 2006, he returned to Melbourne, where he lived a lay life for some time.
Eventually, he left his job, sold his property, and returned to Thailand to establish Indriya Retreat on Koh Phangan — a center he founded as both the spiritual heart of his teaching and a space dedicated to deep meditation practice.
Schedule
During the retreat, there’s a simple schedule—no clock-watching, as the bell tells you where to be. All sessions and talks require your participation, while breaks provide ample time for laundry, washing, rest, and reflection.
Please follow the schedule fully; all planned activities are mandatory to attend.
Approximate daily schedule of the retreat:
Please follow the schedule fully; all planned activities are mandatory to attend.
Approximate daily schedule of the retreat:
- Sitting Meditation45-minute meditation sessions are conducted in a group several times a day. To maintain continuity, breaks between practices do not exceed two hours. There are over thirty sittings during the retreat, and each one is a new learning experience, valuable in its own way.
- Walking MeditationWalking meditations play an important role in the retreat. They are also 45 minutes, alternating with sitting sessions. Instructions for walking meditation will be provided at the retreat.
- Meditative YogaDaily morning yoga sessions connect the body, breath, and mind, and also help muscles adapt to long sitting practices.
INDRIYA RETREAT CENTER on Koh Phangan is A SPACE TO FILL YOU, OPEN YOU UP, AND INSPIRE
Indriya Retreat is an international retreat center. It is located on Koh Phangan (Thailand), near a small stream and surrounded by fruit trees and tropical plants. Guests of the center find themselves in an atmosphere of seclusion and tranquility, which facilitates the practice of Vipassana meditation.
Bathrooms
A separate building with all necessary facilities — toilets, sinks, and shower cabins.
Vegetarian food
Comfortable Huts
The huts are wooden. Inside, there are two fully equipped sleeping places (with mattresses, quality bed linen, blankets, pillows, and towels).
A high-quality, exquisite vegetarian diet focused on detox and wellness: an abundance of fruits and nuts, salads, superfoods, juices, Chinese tea, cocoa.
Entry fee
To register for the retreat, you must fill out the form below and pay the registration fee of $900 using VISA, MASTERCARD.
What is it for?
Firstly, the registration fee confirms the seriousness of your intention to attend the retreat and guarantees you a place in the group.
Secondly, the registration fee helps cover the ongoing expenses of the Indriya Retreat Center that are directly related to running the retreat. These expenses include:
Food and Supplies: Purchase of food, groceries, drinking water, and toiletries.
Staff Costs: Salaries for cooks and administrators.
Services: Laundry service.
Facility Expenses: Payment of land rent, electricity bills, garbage disposal fees, as well as repair and maintenance costs.
Operational Costs: Other general administrative and operational expenses.
Secondly, the registration fee helps cover the ongoing expenses of the Indriya Retreat Center that are directly related to running the retreat. These expenses include:
Food and Supplies: Purchase of food, groceries, drinking water, and toiletries.
Staff Costs: Salaries for cooks and administrators.
Services: Laundry service.
Facility Expenses: Payment of land rent, electricity bills, garbage disposal fees, as well as repair and maintenance costs.
Operational Costs: Other general administrative and operational expenses.
After the payment of the registration fee and filling up your personal data, you will receive an organizational letter confirming your participation.
Donation for Indriya Retreat Center and teacher
According to the ancient and beautiful tradition, there is no fixed charge for the teaching and meditation training itself. At the end of the program, participants have the opportunity to leave a conscious donation.
Expressing gratitude to the center and the teacher for the teachings is an honor and an opportunity to perform a karmically good deed, thus accumulating good merits and improving your karma.
The principle of DANA applies – voluntary donations from retreat participants as a token of gratitude to the center and the teacher, made at the end of the retreat.
You determine the amount of your gratitude at your own discretion.
Expressing gratitude to the center and the teacher for the teachings is an honor and an opportunity to perform a karmically good deed, thus accumulating good merits and improving your karma.
The principle of DANA applies – voluntary donations from retreat participants as a token of gratitude to the center and the teacher, made at the end of the retreat.
You determine the amount of your gratitude at your own discretion.
Vipassana Retreat Rules
A retreat is a serious and profound work on oneself.
In the event of a gross violation of the retreat rules on your part, we will have to ask you to leave the camp so as not to disturb other participants from practicing.
In the event of a gross violation of the retreat rules on your part, we will have to ask you to leave the camp so as not to disturb other participants from practicing.
The most important rule of any deep meditation retreat is silence. Yes, throughout the retreat, participants refrain from any communication.
All students must observe Noble Silence from the beginning of the course until the morning following the last full day of the course. Noble Silence means silence of body, speech, and mind. Therefore, all forms of communication with other students, including gestures, sign language, and notes, are prohibited.
Students, however, may speak with the teacher if necessary. They may also contact the course administrator and staff with any issues concerning food, accommodation, health, etc., but such contacts should be kept to a minimum. Students should feel that they are working alone. In everyday life, we spend a huge amount of time and energy on conversations, often idle. People say things that could be left unsaid, gossip, insult, shout. This creates unrest not only in our world but also in our minds.
Silence allows the mind to calm down and maintain quiet, peaceful conditions for everyone. For some, this will be a difficult test, but most people will find this wonderful experience very beneficial. Many participants have travelled a long way to enjoy this silence at the center, show respect and mutual understanding by maintaining silence, mindfulness, and wisdom. Training to live, practice, move, and act in absolute silence and calmness will lead to pleasant results.
"Silence" also implies that you will not use the books you brought with you. During the retreat, you will receive a large amount of information, and reading will distract your attention or may even confuse you. Please keep the books closed; you will have plenty of time to read after the retreat. Additionally, we ask you not to write anything down, except for notes during the talks. Writing letters, poems, stories, keeping diaries, and other creativity will distract the mind from the main goals of meditation.
Attention! The use of cameras, mobile phones, audio players, and e-books during the retreat is prohibited.
All students must observe Noble Silence from the beginning of the course until the morning following the last full day of the course. Noble Silence means silence of body, speech, and mind. Therefore, all forms of communication with other students, including gestures, sign language, and notes, are prohibited.
Students, however, may speak with the teacher if necessary. They may also contact the course administrator and staff with any issues concerning food, accommodation, health, etc., but such contacts should be kept to a minimum. Students should feel that they are working alone. In everyday life, we spend a huge amount of time and energy on conversations, often idle. People say things that could be left unsaid, gossip, insult, shout. This creates unrest not only in our world but also in our minds.
Silence allows the mind to calm down and maintain quiet, peaceful conditions for everyone. For some, this will be a difficult test, but most people will find this wonderful experience very beneficial. Many participants have travelled a long way to enjoy this silence at the center, show respect and mutual understanding by maintaining silence, mindfulness, and wisdom. Training to live, practice, move, and act in absolute silence and calmness will lead to pleasant results.
"Silence" also implies that you will not use the books you brought with you. During the retreat, you will receive a large amount of information, and reading will distract your attention or may even confuse you. Please keep the books closed; you will have plenty of time to read after the retreat. Additionally, we ask you not to write anything down, except for notes during the talks. Writing letters, poems, stories, keeping diaries, and other creativity will distract the mind from the main goals of meditation.
Attention! The use of cameras, mobile phones, audio players, and e-books during the retreat is prohibited.
Students must not leave the camp area throughout the course. They may leave only with the teacher's consent. No external contacts, including letters, phone communication, and contacts with visitors, are allowed until the end of the course. Mobile phones, pagers, and other electronic devices must be handed over to the course organizers for safekeeping. In special cases, friends or relatives may contact the course management.
There is nowhere to go but inside your own consciousness, but sometimes this can be a frightening journey. You may be overcome by boredom or restlessness. In these moments, you should be extremely attentive and mindful. It is from these states of mind that we can extract so much information about ourselves. Do not let your consciousness wander beyond the meditation retreat; if you start to get distracted without limits, it will soon become difficult to force yourself to return to meditation. Make sure you have all the necessary things before the retreat begins.
There is nowhere to go but inside your own consciousness, but sometimes this can be a frightening journey. You may be overcome by boredom or restlessness. In these moments, you should be extremely attentive and mindful. It is from these states of mind that we can extract so much information about ourselves. Do not let your consciousness wander beyond the meditation retreat; if you start to get distracted without limits, it will soon become difficult to force yourself to return to meditation. Make sure you have all the necessary things before the retreat begins.
Clothing should be simple, modest, and comfortable. Do not wear transparent, revealing, or overly tight clothing that attracts attention (such as shorts, short skirts, tank tops, etc.).
For comfort and convenience during meditation, please wear loose and light clothing (but not transparent). We also ask that your clothing be clean and neat. Pants should be long enough to cover the knees during sitting meditation. Shirts should cover the shoulders and abdomen. Please, no shorts or tank tops. During the retreat, there is no need to wear jewelry and other types of adornments; be simpler and more natural. Everyone should wear underwear, and women must wear a bra.
For comfort and convenience during meditation, please wear loose and light clothing (but not transparent). We also ask that your clothing be clean and neat. Pants should be long enough to cover the knees during sitting meditation. Shirts should cover the shoulders and abdomen. Please, no shorts or tank tops. During the retreat, there is no need to wear jewelry and other types of adornments; be simpler and more natural. Everyone should wear underwear, and women must wear a bra.
The center's territory is a space free from alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and other intoxicants. It is not allowed to bring drugs, alcohol, and other intoxicating and narcotic substances into the camp. Violation of the sobriety rule will result in your immediate departure from the camp.
Cigarettes are a form of toxic means that intoxicate the body. They interfere with meditation and your natural relaxation. During the retreat, you must refrain from smoking.
Cigarettes are a form of toxic means that intoxicate the body. They interfere with meditation and your natural relaxation. During the retreat, you must refrain from smoking.
No special physical preparation is required for meditation at the retreat, but poor health can hinder mental exertion. If you are ill, it is better to wait for recovery and attend the next retreat.
Maintaining mindfulness during breaks is the key to successful meditation. Pay attention to every detail in routine tasks, perform all actions slowly and mindfully. The ability to remain present, not wandering in the past or future, is an indicator of your progress.
Complete gender separation should be observed. Men and women live separately, eat, and meditate in designated areas.
In the rhythm of modern life, spending a whole week without a phone is a luxury. But we are sure you deserve it and you will definitely cope. Therefore, rule #1 is to hand over your phone to us for safekeeping;
The second rule smoothly follows from the first: check-in occurs only after handing over the phone. The algorithm of actions is as follows: finish all affairs, turn off the phone and alarm on it, and bravely hand it over to the valiant hands of the Center's staff;
Silence, minimal interaction between participants, maximum immersion in meditation practice is our common goal, and therefore we do not accept couples for the retreat;
If you decide to leave the retreat without a valid reason, the next time the organizational fee for you will be 10 times higher.
Please carefully weigh your capabilities;
Practices, schedules, rules are designed solely for the benefit of participants. If you do not follow the retreat rules, are late, and miss practices, after the second warning, we will be forced to say goodbye to you.
The second rule smoothly follows from the first: check-in occurs only after handing over the phone. The algorithm of actions is as follows: finish all affairs, turn off the phone and alarm on it, and bravely hand it over to the valiant hands of the Center's staff;
Silence, minimal interaction between participants, maximum immersion in meditation practice is our common goal, and therefore we do not accept couples for the retreat;
If you decide to leave the retreat without a valid reason, the next time the organizational fee for you will be 10 times higher.
Please carefully weigh your capabilities;
Practices, schedules, rules are designed solely for the benefit of participants. If you do not follow the retreat rules, are late, and miss practices, after the second warning, we will be forced to say goodbye to you.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at the forbidden time (i.e., after noon).
- I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing, singing, music, going to see entertainments, wearing garlands, using perfumes, and beautifying the body with cosmetics.
- I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.
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CONTACT US
- booking@indriyaretreat.com
- +66 94-321-7528
- Branch Address: 66/9 Moo 5, Koh Phangan, Koh Phangan, Surat Thani, 84280 Thailand
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