Spiritual Thailand

The King and I.
Note the fetching pair of pink fisherman pants. Apparently footie shorts aren't acceptable in the temple.

Buddhism and Thailand are about as symbiotic as schooners and doritos.

Approximately 94% of Thais are practicing Buddhists, with Wats (religious areas) nearly as common on street corners as Thailand's pseudo-capitalist shrine, the 7-Eleven. Even when hurtling full-pelt past a Wat in the back of a tuk-tuk, Thais will still manage to pay homage with a respectful Wai (like a bow using the hands).

Monks here are like William Shatner at a Star Trek convention. Even the poorest of Thais would offer what alms they can at the beginning of the day in respect of their religion and the monks' devotion.

Religious festivals are widely respected as times for religious observance and self-reflection. Clare and I were lucky enough to be close to one of Thailand's most revered Wats whilst visiting Chiang Mai during the Songkran Festival.

So we took the 45-minute sawngthaew up to the top of the area's tallest mountain to check out Wat Prathat Doi Sutep (Prathat temple on Mount Doi Sutep) - an amazing 625 year-old religious stalwart, roughly 15km across and 1.3km vertical from Chiang Mai city.

It was one of those moments I was stoked to have taken 2-unit Studies of Religion way back in 2000-2001 with that wonderful teacher Mrs Sue Kane. It was another unique opportunity to not only understand and appreciate a bit more about the core of Thailand's psyche, but also the peaceful, inward-looking, outward-acting religion.

Just like when we visited the Malaysian national mosque back in March, I was again thrown into wonder - why are people so drawn to religion...what are their motivations??? Maybe I was just getting high from all of the incense smoke...

Here's a few cool pics from the day...

(Left) This one's kind of cool - Thais line up in front of the little Buddhas and spoon sacred burning oil into each of the little cups, saying prayers along the way. This is usually accompanied by a Wai.

(Above right) Similar to left, Thai Buddhists toll the bells, sending prayers as the chime reverberates. Bells were tolling all day. It was sort of like a religious rock concert.

Clare and I in front of a great big bell, donated by a rich Thai businessman. In 1977, one of these cost THB100,000 (AUD$3,000).

This is a picture of me getting blessed by one of the monks in the temple. No need to worry - I haven't converted. It was a very spiritual experience though. I asked him to bless Clare and I with good fortune for our travels. I suppose it's worked - I still haven't been hit by a high tuk-tuk driver or mauled by a soi dog.

As I mentioned earlier, there was more smoke there than on Day 1 of a rehab clinic. Here, Thai's offer gifts and light incense sticks in respect to Buddha.