At Wat Pra Sing, there was a Monk school. Men and boys of all ages with short hair and red-orange walked around the temple on their iPhones and chatting with fellow monks. Our group got the change to talk with a monk and learn about his life and beliefs.
As a practicing Nichiren Buddhist, I was curious to compare my view of life with a Thai Buddhist, so I asked "What do you consider absolute happiness". He said that happiness was "no strings attached", especially to material things. It was quite moving to have a discussion with such an intellectual person who sacrifices his time to a religion. I wouldn't say agreed nor disagreed with his answer, for absolute happiness to me is smiling and pushing forward in the face of adversity.
As a practicing Nichiren Buddhist, I was curious to compare my view of life with a Thai Buddhist, so I asked "What do you consider absolute happiness". He said that happiness was "no strings attached", especially to material things. It was quite moving to have a discussion with such an intellectual person who sacrifices his time to a religion. I wouldn't say agreed nor disagreed with his answer, for absolute happiness to me is smiling and pushing forward in the face of adversity.
One of the companies I admired the most of the trip was the Foundation for Older Persons Development. Due to Thailand's increasing elderly population, non-profits and the government are working together to support and care for them. What I find makes FOP-DEV especially incredible is their CSR initiative. Many of the regions in Thailand with older people tend to be rural and still have a smaller youth population. These youth, like the elderly, are of low income and must work to provide from their family instead of pursuing higher education. FOP-DEV works to raise money for a scholarship program to train youth in health care, specifically with the elderly.
We were able to meet a participant of the program, a 94-year-old woman whose family bought her home (the same home we were sitting in front of while talking to her) for 40 Baht in the early 20th century. She expressed her appreciation of us listening to her stories and hopes for the newer generation to continue to share Thai culture and history.
We were able to meet a participant of the program, a 94-year-old woman whose family bought her home (the same home we were sitting in front of while talking to her) for 40 Baht in the early 20th century. She expressed her appreciation of us listening to her stories and hopes for the newer generation to continue to share Thai culture and history.
Another highlight of this trip was the cooking school a few of us attended for a few hours. Chiang Mai cooking schools are a popular tourist activity, as people have the opportunity to go shopping for ingredients at Thai markets, preparing food and cooking a six-course meal, all led by the school's expert chefs.
I made three dishes: pad see ew, panang curry and deep fried bananas. It was all surprisingly fast to cook and quite delicious.
I made three dishes: pad see ew, panang curry and deep fried bananas. It was all surprisingly fast to cook and quite delicious.
At last, we made it to the Kuat Taeng Elephant Nature Park. It is now illegal and severely looked down upon to ride elephants and show them in the streets. At nature parks like this one, elephants are rehabilitated and cared for.
The elephants seemed to really enjoy playing in the red dust.
Soft, colorful towels for washing our hands each time we touched the elephants.
Sabby and Steven doing their thing.
We ended the visit by giving the elephants a bath. So refreshing (for them and us).