THAILAND - BUDDHISM

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At long last a short break from Afghanistan and back home to Thailand. Hardly a breath of fresh air, because this time of year it's the 'small rains' and the sky is often grey and the air muggy. But as an alternative to Kandahar - no contest at all!

The highlight of the trip home was to take my daughter Seiya (aged 16) to a small wat (temple), Wat Panitaram, located on the Bang Pakong River east of Bangkok towards Chachoengsao. She and her mum are both students of the Buddha and go on serious meditation retreats. But this time was a bit more oriented to younger people and Seiya went on her own for 5 days. The idea was to learn more of the teachings of the Buddha and to sit in 'samadhi' or meditation.

Briefly, these short courses for students from international schools was started in 2007 by the head monk, Phra Surasak Jarana Dhammo, head of the project that is called Visutthi Samanane, who understood that Thai youngsters, especially those from well-off families, knew little of Buddhism. The intensive retreat where bright students can question the teaching and learn to live together in harmony has become more and more popular. More information can be found about Wat Panitaram on Buddhist Channel.

Wat Panitaram is a little middle-class for Seiya's mum's taste, a little too 'easy' for those used to serious meditation for days on end with no talking and the minimum to eat. Here one found a beautiful air-conditioned meditation hall and close-circuit TV so the teaching could be partly transmitted by video. The students tended to arrive in Mercedes Benz , often Chinese Thai, and be dressed in designer clothes. But this is another aspect of the real Thailand and all to the good for being so.

Seiya had a great time and was voted 'Best Student', though what the Buddha would have made of that I wonder. Her mum missed her and I think that next time they'll be back together to the Big League meditation somewhere less comfortable.

You can find Wat Panitaram by driving on the expressway out of Bangkok towards Pattaya (Route 7) and then turning left on the A 314 towards Chachoengsao through the intensive fish farming ponds and rice padis of one of Thailand's main agricultural areas. The Bang Pakong River is beautiful, winding back on itself in huge S bends of the eastern seaboard. The main Buddhist attraction in the area is Wat Sothorn which is enormous and attracts huge crowds of Thais coming to "tham boon" or "make good" by "wai phra" - bowing to the monks and the image of Buddha - and donating vast amounts of money into what is surely one of Thailand's largest revenue earners.

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Photos

Wat Panitaram
The older part of the wat is built of wood. Typically Thai wats start with a simple building and then add on larger parts as they gain in popularity. The course are held in a modern, air conditioned hall.

Mum and Daughter
These two are seated in the Meditation Hall of Wat Panitaram; Seiya is kitted out all in white ready for the course to start

Meditation Hall
Spotlessly clean and air-conditioned. Probably not what the Buddha had in mind, but a great place for youngsters to learn the Dhamma

View over the Bang Pakong River
What a great location! I just love these places, so peaceful.