The Thai government asks all schools to take a
day for teachers to make merit at wats, giving food to the monks and
praying. Ban Serm school went on
Friday. We met very early in the
morning, got into 2 air-conditioned vans and headed out. The first wat we stopped at was about an hour
away. Here we made our donations of food
and drink and prayed with the community for about 30 minutes.
The second wat we stopped at was quite a
distance away and I was told it is the largest in the world. The grounds were stunning, lots of gardens
and manicured green spaces. The temple
is huge and has a huge statue of Buddha.
There were ponds and paths throughout the property. We prayed in the temple and strolled the
grounds, taking pictures and enjoying the scenery. The third wat we stopped at was on the 3rd
floor of a huge shopping mall in Korat.
This wat was the most crowded and seemed very commercial. There were CD’s and statues and books and
charms and t-shirts available and it was all fairly expensive. The people, however, are very respectful and
very serious about praying and coming together in the wats. Shoes are removed and there is a sense of
shared values and knowledge of Buddhism among the Thai people. I am including pictures of us, teachers, and
the largest wat.
It was an interesting experience to be with all
Thai people. I seldom know what they are
talking about, but always feel included and wanted. I have never experienced being an outsider
and an insider at the same time. I am
one of the teachers at the school, and everyone!, wants to learn English, but I
am also not Thai. I don’t understand
Buddhism, the language or the culture.
But I feel comfortable in the group.
They laugh at my Thai, but they also help me and are willing to repeat
endlessly until I get it. Of course, we
had a delicious lunch and made a few stops for kanoms (snacks, often sweet).
No comments:
Post a Comment