Women Monks

January 22, 2011

Today we went to Song-tam-kay-ya-nee Temple where we got to meet Bhikkhuni Thammanandha.  She is part of the woman monk movement.  She was such a dynamic speaker that I was tempted to say sign me up for temporary ordination I need to study with you.

She spoke about the unique problem in Thailand because the government has a hand in control in how religion (Buddhism) is set up.  The current constitution states that men can be monks only.  There is a petition to get the language expanded so that women are included (need 10,000 signatures).    

She was such a powerful and motivating speaker. She was so good that I forgot to take a picture of her.  Her words were so positive about what Buddhism is about and how it could work for you.  She told us how women monks came about with Buddha’s stepmother deciding to follow Buddha around following the monastic lifestyle.  I am totally simplifying the story but you get the idea.

What was beautiful about this temple was the healing blue Buddha.  I have pictures.  It was such a tranquil space.  Enjoy the pictures.

The next three pictures of Our room at the Christian Guesthouse.  

View from our window.  Tall buildings instead of a huge mountain.

Story of the first woman monk in Thailand.

Discussion about the grounds.  They are in the process of building a new building to house women monks and guests.

Group photo in front of the healing Buddha.  This Buddha sits in full lotus position.  The women stand near these monks. The men have to be farther away.

This is a view of the ceiling.  

When I say Bangkok, you say HOT…Bangkok…HOT

January 21, 2011

(I will add pictures later today.  We have to leave really early this morning.  Traffic!  UPDATE: The pictures are now added.)

It is really hot in Bangkok.  Upon leaving the airplane you can just feel the hot, smoggy air.  It is completely overwhelming after being in the quite temperate Chiang Mai.  Our flight was delayed for about 45 minutes so we are a little off schedule.  We depart the airport for the afternoon activities.  Our luggage is sent ahead the Bangkok Christian Guesthouse where our new home base will be.

We are attending one of the largest Wat’s in the area.  We go to the Dhammakaya Wat.  This Wat can hold up to 300,000 people for mediation.  They are currently expanding so the new area will be able to hold up to 1 million (yes, million) people for mediation (this expansion is to be completed by April 2012).  This is truly a Mega-Wat.  As you drive into the parking garage your car wheels go through a bath so they are cleaned prior to entering the parking garage.  The complex is beautiful but overwhelming.  Building community in this type of environment must be a challenge.  

This is the view as you drive on the extensive compound.

Bathroom sign:  Monks, Men, Women

These little Buddha's are on the roof (the gold part).  There are 300.000 on one of the roofs.  Hope to have a million on the roof by time construction is finished.

Dining hall.   Can sit up to 1,600 monks.

Monks racking leaves on the compound.

Ordination building.  It is very beautiful inside and out.

Water lilies are everywhere.

Buddha sitting in half lotus position.

Rooster running around on grounds.  There were lots of peacocks too.

Pathway to nirvana.

This is me 6 hours out of the hospital.  See I am getting better.

This monk took us through an exercise to help us learn to mediate better.  It was wonderful.

Group photo time.

This is outside where we are staying.  These are the dirty dishes for the night.  This street restaurant was so busy it was hard to get down the street.  Food stalls are everywhere.

How Hospitals work in Thailand

January 20th afternoon Thai time

I am now out of the hospital you so can all breathe easy.  As you have read, I have been sick since Monday.  I was trying to tough it out but there was no turning back.  I needed medical treatment and that was that.

Don was also not well so off we went to McCormick Hospital in Chiang Mai.    We check in with Urgent Care just like in an American hospital (fill out a bunch of forms, weight, blood pressure), you know the regular triage.   I see the doctor within 15 minutes of being in the hospital.  She wants to immediately admit me.  What the heck?  I thought I would need a little IV, get rehydrated and go home.  Getting admitted was the farthest thing from my mind.  I have a flight to Bangkok in the morning.  I can’t stay...

I ended up staying.  First it was traversing what type of room that I was willing to pay for.  I am shown a book with a bunch of numbers.  Neither of the nurses speaks English and my Thai is limited to pleasantries.  I am told that the room rate is in US dollars not Thai Baht.  There is a HUGE difference.  I am told a regular room is $250 and a private room is $1500.  Since I have to pay when I leave I choose the regular room.  Big mistake.  I ended up on a ward in a room with 8 people and the beds are basically end to end.  Greg was with me so he called Mark to help with translation so that we could get something more comfortable.  Come to find out the room was 1500 baht that equals $50 US dollars.  I ask for and get the private room.

That was so much better.  Here am I in my room.  It was much more comfortable.  I am so dehydrated that the nurses could not find a vein for the IV.  Once that is done I settle in for the evening.   The doctor stated that she (okay, can I just say my doctor was smoking hot) would try to get me released for my morning flight to Bangkok.  After an IV and 5 rounds of IV antibiotics I start feeling human again.  I even eat a little breakfast – a piece of wheat toast, a hardboiled egg and a cup of hot tea.  It says with me.  YEAH!  Now I am off to pay the bill.  It was 5,275 Baht.   This equals about $174 in US dollars.  So the private room with TV and minibar with all the prescriptions given at the hospital and that I left with (I will be taking pills until the day I get home) cost $174.  Amazing…

We are now off to the airport for the flight to Bangkok.

Last day in Chiang Mai

January 20, 2011 8:12 Thai time

Today is our last full day in Chiang Mai.  Tomorrow morning we leave for our week in Bangkok.  I am ready for a change in venue.  I will miss the city though.  It reminds me a little of metro Atlanta because it is so spread out and there are many different centers of activity.

Today we meet with students at McGilvary College of Divinity.  It is a busy day.  We have farewell dinner tonight at Ajaan John's house.

Pictures later today.

Later on that day...

Meet with an ordained female minister in Thailand.  She spoke of the struggles that she is facing due to conservative nature of the clergy in Thailand.  She has started a prison ministry as well as a ministry for sex workers.   She stated there are 14 ordained ministers out of the 600 ordained ministers in Thailand.  She stated that she is one of two in her district (around Chiang Mai).  She also stated that she has recently received a letter from the CCT (Christian Church of Thailand) stating that she can no longer take students (she works at the divinity school) with her on trips to prison and when she works with sex workers.

Ajaan Chuleepan addressing us with concerns for female clergy.

Artwork around the campus.

View into Chapel on campus.

Meeting with students regarding Christianity and Buddhism.

She stated that if Jesus could work with all people than so should she.  She stated that although the church does not support her that she gets support from Buddhist monks and a Catholic nun. 

I really liked that we got an opportunity to speak with her.  Most of our experiences thus far have been about conflicts outside of the church or politically conflicts.  It was good to hear another perspective on how church should run.

In the afternoon we meet with students who took a class on Buddhism and Christianity; that also an informative discussion.  However, by this time I was so sick that I did not get a lot out of it.  I am now off to the hospital.

HIV/AIDs education and prevention: Interfaith community response

January 19, 2011 20:52 Thai time

Health update - I am still struggling.  I made it to all today's events but I am now off all food.  Don't worry.  I had some pedialyte (thanks Genny).  I am hoping for toast tomorrow.

Other update - we move to Bangkok on Friday morning.  Not sure how long I will be without internet connection.  I do know that we won't be to our rooms until late on Friday.  This could cause a gap in my posts.


HIV/AIDs education and prevention:  An Interfaith Community Response

Today we met with leader's from Islam, Christianity and Buddhism to discuss their response to HIV/AIDs in Thailand.  The have come together to form a network called The Interfaith Network on HIV/AIDs in Thailand (INHAT).

Some background on Thailand (given from handout today):
est. population in 2010      67,089,500
est number living with HIV/AIDs end of 2009   530,000

adults (+15)  520,000
women (+15)   210,000


There is approximately 1.3% of the adult population living with HIV/AIDS.  Thailand has been very successful in lowering the new infection rate through the years.  In 1991 about 150,000 news cases were confirmed.  In 2003 that rate had been lowered to 19,000.

The Thai government was very aggressive in providing funds and the education to the population to get a handle on this disease.  However, in recent years the government has cut funding dramatically.

If you are a Thai national (with ID card) you have free access to HIV/AIDs drugs and health services.  However, there is only limited access to health care migrant workers and those without ID cards.

Each gave their faith response to prevention.  Only the Buddhist monk had no problem with condoms education.  Islam and Christianity were more abstinence based education when coming from a religious aspect.

The push for HIV/AIDs education starts in junior high school (around age 12).  It used to be high school but they realized that was too late to start the prevention programs.

This groups vision is
We, the Interfaith Network on HIV and AIDs Network on HIV and AIDS are united in spirit and actions to bring about a society that is free of HIV and AIDS through prevention, care, support, advocacy and development that is liberating so that each may enjoy the fullness of life in accordance to the tenet's of one's own faith.

We also met with a women who is living with HIV/AIDs.  Her story was inspiring.  She took us through her struggle to accept her diagnosis, keeping healthy and being a sole provider for her family.  I really liked her motto:  Be active to earn money, keep saving, have good friendships and live a sustainable life.

The gang waiting for the presentation.

Still waiting for presentation.

The panel

This gang of cows comes over to campus each afternoon to eat the grass.  I don't know where they live since everyone likes to let their cows run free.  Today, these cows decided to follow me to 7eleven.

I slept our free time away today so I have no touristy type pictures.

Buddhism part II and visiting Wat Doi Suthep

January 18, 2011 21:05 Thai time

Chapel at Payap University.  This chapel is located in the main part of campus.

Today we finished up our lecture on Buddhism.  It was quite enlightening  (ha,ha...did you get the joke?!).  We went to the famous mountain top Wat Doi Suthep and visited a jade factory (got some good stuff).  Enjoy the pictures.

Doors to chapel at Payap University

Inside the chapel.  I don't know if you can tell but under the pews are open air.  The chapel is built over a pond.  It is way to keep the inside of the building cool.

Bottom of steps leading to the Wat.  There are about 300 steps to climb.

This is about half way up.  I took this picture so I would have an excuse to catch my breath.

At the top. Dragons look down the stairs.

Looking over the city of Chiang Mai from top of the mountain.

Dogs are everywhere in Thailand.  Just laying around everywhere.  This little pup is taking a nap in the middle of the Wat.

Ajaan John discussing history of this Wat.

This is one piece of teak wood that was carved after it was put into place.  The detailed work was absolutely beautiful.

These bells are really loud.  It was so unexpected.  My ears rang for more than a few minutes.

This time I pose without ringing the bell.  That is the better option.

Ajaan John explaining the murals around the Wat.

It was really crowded.  There was so much incense burning that my eyes started watering.

This is a solid emerald Buddha.

This is the ceiling of the room with emerald Buddha.   This is where we received a blessing from one of the monks.

Factory floor from the Jade Factory.  We are told how jade is polished.

Worker's hard a work making different pieces.  They have the option to work here or at home.

Kathy with her new ring.  My purchases shall remain nameless until I get home.