Chiang Mai Cultural Day

Today we took a very informative cultural tour in Chiang Mai. 

First we jumped (literally!) into a Songthaew, a passenger vehicle in Thailand adapted from a pick-up truck and used as a shared taxi or bus for transportation. On our way to the Kad Thad Payom, our guide PT instructed us on how to participate in the daily ritual of offering food to the monks by the people.  The Kad Thad Payom is a local market close to the Buddhist Temple where the food vendors prepare the food offered to the monks. 

At Kad Thad Payom we participated in the tradition of offering food to the young Buddhist monks (called novices). Being careful not to touch the monk’s bowl, we carefully placed one food item in the bowl. Then the monks would recite (in Sanskrit) a blessing of loving kindness for us.  

Offering food is one of the oldest and most common rituals of Buddhism. Food is given to monks during the early morning. Offering food is a meritorious act that reminds us not to be greedy or selfish. 

Today, in many predominately Buddhist countries like Thailand, monks still rely on receiving alms for most of their food. The monks leave the monasteries early in the morning. They walk single file, oldest first, carrying their alms’ bowls in front of them. Laypeople wait for them and place food in the bowls. Women must be careful not to touch the monks.

The monks do not speak, even to say thank you. The giving of alms is not thought of as charity. The giving and receiving of alms creates a spiritual connection between the monastic and lay communities. Laypeople have a responsibility to support the monks physically, and the monks have a responsibility to support the community spiritually.

From here we continued on to Wat Umong, a 700 year old Buddhist temple built in  the foothills of the Suthep mountains and surrounded by forests. 

Caves of Wat Umong are inlaid with original wall paintings from the 13th century. At times, the monks meditate in the caves. It is also possible for laypeople to practice meditation with the monks at Wat Umong and learn from them. 

Wat Umong is unique in that the resident monks live in a natural setting, occasionally feeding the deer living in the area. 

From here we continued to Wat Suan Dok, a Buddhist temple in northern Chiang Mai. The Chiang Mai campus of the Buddhist Monastery University is housed within the temple compound.

We were able to visit personally with a Buddhist monk, Ram, to ask him any questions we might have concerning any topic, especially meditation. Ram is from Nepal and has been living at the monastery for 10 years. He is now entering the final year of his university education to receive his Master’s degree in philosophy. A monk has a choice of the degree(s) he wishes to complete. Many go farther to study for their doctorate. He shared the topic of his thesis-- Being Human.  

Ram is 24 years old, and he told us he loves to talk...and we were the fortunate benefactors!!  We shared we are very interested in meditation. He describes meditation as energy for the mind-food is energy for the body and meditation is energy for the mind. There are three important parts to meditation:  concentration, focus and mindfulness... all with the breath.....breathe in and out, in and out........  When you are beginning to learn how to meditate, begin in short intervals. With consistency, you will be able to meditate a bit longer and longer. The time is up to you-- no rules, no expectations. 

Ram explained Buddhism is not a religion; it is living your life with goodness. The Buddha is not "worshipped"-- he is a teacher. There are five moral precepts in Buddhism which are refraining from: harming living things, taking what is not given, sexual misconduct, lying or gossip, taking intoxicating substances. We asked Ram about drinking wine or liquor, and he said "everything in moderation". :)

Our guide, T.P., was exceptionally knowledgeable, able to guide us well, and graciously willing to answer all of our questions.