About us
OUR DHAMMA FAMILY
We consider each other to be Kalyana mitra, good friends who support each other along their spiritual path. We discovered Vipassana Meditation at the temple of Chomtong at different times, under different conditions and with different motivations in life, but we have all realized how precious and powerful it is and how much it can benefit people.
Spreading the Dhamma from Chomtong all over the world was the vision our teachers had, the task we were entrusted with, and it’s where we wish to do our part. Bringing this very special Vipassana method to where it is not yet taught, as a small community of friends within our larger Dhamma-Family.
We wish to share a conscious and harmonious way of life in a space where we can welcome you and take a few steps towards inner peace and true happiness together.
The Buddha said: The gift of Dhamma excels all other gifts. And we feel honoured and very lucky to be able to share the Buddha’s teachings with you.
When a bhikkhu has a good friend, a good companion, a good comrade, it is to be expected that he will develop and cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path.
(Samyutta Nikāya 45.2 - Magga Samyutta - Upaddha Sutta)
FABIOLA
TEACHER
After gaining a degree in Architecture and Urban Planning, I have worked in the field of Landscape Architectural Design for several years in Brazil, my home country, and Canada. At the end of 2014, I started my journey to find a more meaningful life, traveling to different countries, learning about different cultures and meditation techniques. In 2016, I finally discovered Vipassana meditation at Wat Phrathat Sri Chomtong International Meditation Center (Chiang Mai – Thailand), where I first met Jasmin, and we soon became close friends.
Soon after my first retreats I began teacher training there as an assistant under the guidance of our Masters Khun Thanat and Khun Kathryn Chindaporn and lived there until 2021. In 2018 I received the Vipassana Satipatthana Kammatthana teacher certificate from the hands of the Most Ven. Phra Ajarn Tong Sirimangalo, and later that year an award from the city of Chiang Mai in recognition of my commitment to Buddhism. In 2019 I was given the Benefactor of Buddhism award. The Vipassana practice has become one of the most important treasures in my life, a rich source of knowledge and direction.
IVANA
Born and raised in Switzerland by Sicilian parents, I have lived in various places abroad and in Italy. Today, I am a collaborator in a tourism development project for walking and cycling trips. I have a university degree in economics and tourism, and I am an AIGAE-associated environmental hiking guide.
Yet, without Vipassana, all of this would be lacking something. I remember the time when, years ago, I felt there was something “beyond” what my perception of daily life was, and I wanted to discover more. Then I met Jasmin, who invited me to participate in the basic course. I accepted her invitation, and a few months later, I joined her in Thailand and experienced my first retreat in 2018. Since then, I have made time for a Vipassana retreat annually. Today, thanks to the meditation practice, I go and see “beyond,” meaning I see and live my life with greater clarity and awareness, in situations and in my relationship with myself and others.
I feel our Prommamangalaram center is like my temple and my home, the place I stay whenever I can to support Fabiola, Jasmin, and Danilo in conducting retreats for meditators, or for my own retreats, and to spend time with my precious spiritual family. I feel deep gratitude for everything in my life as it is, present moment by present moment.
DANILO
After having completed my work life, among other things as a warehouseman in a fashion company, I am now happy to be retired and have more time for other activities.
When I first heard about meditation, I found it curious to see all these peoples’ faces with their eyes closed, in the usual yogic position, being focused inwards, and I had always wondered whether there was something special about this being immovable and silent. But within myself I already felt that of course there was, although I didn’t know it yet. Then, in 2017 my joyful encounter with Jasmin and shortly after that I was fortunate enough to learn about Vipassana meditation and have the honor to meet my first teacher and master Khun Thanat—an adorable person whom everyone loved unconditionally.
I love helping people in a spontaneous way, be it by pruning a tree, cooking, emptying a garage or mowing the lawn, just in any possible way. I love the idea of sharing and living within a community, I love hiking and seeing the world from high up on a mountain top, I love the seaside and the scents of nature and those that remind me of my childhood.
JASMIN
TEACHER
In line with my job as a translator and conference interpreter, I feel I was born to travel. In fact, I did my basic course while exploring Thailand as a digital nomad. After more than six months in Southeast Asia—trying this and that and getting in touch with so many new things, places, and people—I figured that for me, the Vipassana retreat was the most profound and valuable experience I had lived, and I wanted to explore more. So I went back to the temple, did more meditation retreats, and started to stay there volunteering and undertaking the teacher training. I shared most of that time, my room and all the ups and downs with Fabiola, by then my Dhamma-twinnie.
In 2018 I was certified as Vipassana Satipatthana Kammatthana teacher by the Most Ven. Phra Ajarn Tong Sirimangalo, and in 2020 I received an award from the government of Chiang Mai in recognition of my services to Buddhism.
The fact that along with other friends, my partner Danilo and my good friend Ivana have also started to follow the practice is a true gift.
Every single time I or a meditator undertakes this profound journey within ourselves it is truly special and I am grateful for the opportunity to walk side by side with someone else to guide them through the process.