| to yourself to lose you temper
with someone. That's how laid back they are. (Not that I think
they could be bothered going to all the effort of losing their
tempers anyway). They are predominately Buddhist and I've always
found Buddhists to be such friendly people.
Anyway the main reason I'm here is to visit Wat Suan Kaew Foundation,
a sprawling community for the underprivileged Thai people. This
amazing place is the result of one very special Buddhist Monk's
love for the poorest of the poor. His name is Pra Payom and
he is also known affectionately by the people of Wat Suan Kaew
as "One's father" and by others as 'the monk who cares for the
world'. Described as an aggressive community developer monk,
Pra Payom was bought up in poverty and despite now being one
of Thailand's most famous, respected and revered monks, he has
never forgotten his origins and his work for the poor. He constantly
pays respect to others and their humanity, no matter who they
are or what background they come from.
Consequently Wat Suan Kaew is home to poor students from the
countryside, abandoned elderly people, orphans, ex - prisoners,
ex- prostitutes, ex- drug addicts, mentally and physically disabled
people to name a few. He teaches them to be proud of themselves
and provides them with equal opportunities to make a living
by giving them kindness and compassion.
I've written in the past about what might be done to help improve
the lives of the poorest of the poor around the world, but I
have a feeling this champion really has gone to town on the
whole subject. He has apparently set up about fourteen projects
to help different people in need so its back to school for me
and I can't wait! I'm going to volunteer my services there in
whatever way I can help. I start on Tuesday, because there will
be someone there that day who can speak english and organise
some work for me.
I have to be honest though, patience not being one of my strongest
points, I was so keen so see Pra Payom's work that I snuck in
a little visit to Wat Suan Kaew yesterday and my friends what
a champion, champion, place! It was so meant to be! Even though
the local tourist office knew nothing of the place or how to
get there, I got them to write Wat Suan Kaew and its address
in Thai for me. Then I set out on a riverboat as far up the
river as I could get, into the next province. Then I just jumped
on the first bus that got my attention, showed them the note
and immediately got the nod. It dropped me way out in the middle
of the countryside, directly in front of Wat Suan Kaew, meant
to be or what! The whole journey took me a couple of hours and
cost about 30 pence. Magnificent!
Till next time, take care all you champions.
Click
here to view images from Wat Suan Kaew, Thailand
Other articles in the series:
Glorious Thailand,
Part 2, The Splenderous Work of a Little Monk, 15 July 2002
Glorious
Thailand, Part 3, Helping Monks with English Practice, 28 July
2002
Glorious
Thailand, Part 4, Helping Monks Care for AIDS Sufferers, 14
August 2002
Glorious
Thailand, Part 5, Family: The Real Meaning of Being Human, 21
October 2002
|
