Today we had a private guide who had been a monk from ages 13-19. We learned that one can be a monk for either a portion or all of their life. Our guide, Kip, provided a fascinating insight into the daily life of a Buddhist monk. He also gave us an amazing explanation of the temple's artistic religious symbols and even taught us Buddhist meditation methods. It was a profound experience.
First stop, the temple located on the highest hill in Chiang Mai, "Wat Phra That Doi Suthep". Most people just refer to it as Doi Suthep, but as we found out, that is the name of the mountain where this holy temple is located. This temple is a sacred site for many Thai people.
To get to the temple, we had a choice of using Grab (which is like Uber) or taking a Tuk Tuk up the mountain. When we told Kip we would prefer to go the less touristy route and do what the locals do, Kip suggested we jump onto a "songthaew" pronounced "song-tau".
This method of local travel is a converted pickup truck with two benches in the back facing each other. The red ones (also known as "rot daang" meaning "red truck") operate in the city center. Flag one down, ask the driver if he's going in the direction you want and ask the price. Then hop on, or hold on as the case may be, and you're off.
Kip arranged for the red "songthaew" to take us up the mountain to the entrance to Wat Phra That Dio Suthep. The songthaew definitely was the way to go the distance for us today. It was quite an experience.
This method of local travel is a converted pickup truck with two benches in the back facing each other. The red ones (also known as "rot daang" meaning "red truck") operate in the city center. Flag one down, ask the driver if he's going in the direction you want and ask the price. Then hop on, or hold on as the case may be, and you're off.
Kip arranged for the red "songthaew" to take us up the mountain to the entrance to Wat Phra That Dio Suthep. The songthaew definitely was the way to go the distance for us today. It was quite an experience.
Kip told us about his monastic life. One of the many takeaways for us today was the Buddhist philosophy of "Eat to live, not live to eat". Wise words indeed!
As we approached Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, we were met by a long staircase of 306 steps. This staircase is flanked by a stunningly beautiful mythical creature of "Naga". The Naga is a half serpent (dragon) emerging from the mouth of a crocodile. It is to protect the holy area.
The 306 long stair-stepper climb up to the temple is intended to help devotees accrue Buddhist merit. So up we went.
At the top of the staircase, one enters the shrine by passing through massive teak carved pillars that are over 100 years old. The carvings depict various stages of Buddha's life. Kip shared with us the significance of each pillar's carving. These teak pillars were made from massive teak trees and had exquisite carved detail.
The palatial temple area is outstanding. We had a stunningly beautiful clear blue sky day and the gold leaf was shimmering in the sunlight. It was very special.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep was established in 1383 to enshrine a piece of bone said to be from the shoulder of Buddha. In a sacred ceremony, a monk broke the bone into two pieces. The other one is enshrined in Wat Suan Dok. The second fragment was mounted on a sacred white elephant
that wandered through the jungle up the mountain for days with the devotees following close behind. The elephant journeyed to the top of the mountain where, as the legend goes, she laid down and died. It is that very spot where the monastery was founded.
The relic is housed in a "chedi" surrounded by an array of gleaming gold-leafed Buddhas.
Pilgrims wait patiently in line to offer lotus blossoms.
The sunlight today gave the shrines surrounding the "chedi" a beautiful, glowing golden hue. The statues of Buddha that surrounded it were in an abundance of different poses.
We were given the opportunity to be blessed by a monk and greatly appreciated the kindness.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a massive area filled with smaller shrines.
We spent hours walking on and through the various shrines and temples. Soon it was time to go. As we were walking down the 306 steps of the long stairway,
Kip hailed a songthaew and it drove us halfway down the mountain to the beginning of a dirt road. This "road" is easily overlooked as one is driving up the mountain to see the popular Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.
Kip said that we were now walking on the to the lesser-known Wat Pha Lat and it is a hidden gem.
Before one gets to the entrance to Wat Pha Lat, there is a coffee stand!
It had this sign on the counter so of course we all ordered an iced boon coffee and contributed to the monks' dental plan.
It was a great cup of coffee and its cup holder was made out of a palm frond. But most of all, we especially loved the words on the coffee cup:
"Be Happy. Enjoy the little things."
Kip told us that Wat Pha Lat is nestled in a lush green jungle temple paradise. We learned that "a jungle temple is different than a community temple. Jungle temples serve primarily as a calm place for monks to live and meditate".
The entrance to Wat Pha Lat is guarded by these magnificent, massive statues.
We entered old stone temples laced with intricate carvings and statues. Each temple had steps leading to the entrance and huge symbolic statues protecting the temple.
Kip led us to the cave where a hermit monk, who had taken the vow of silence, lived his entire life.
Kip also showed us a cave that had monk statues carved into the walls of the cave. Devotees have shrouded these silent monks in golden robes and have laid offerings outside the cave.
Most of all Wat Phra That's jungle temple area provided plenty of scenic spots to meditate.
Chiang Mai can be seen in the valley below. There's a path to a hiking trail that leads to the city below and can be done in under an hour.
It was in one of those breathtakingly beautiful viewpoints that Kip taught us how to calm the "monkey brain" and to walk in meditation as the monks learn to do.
Afterward, we sat in silence listening to the birds and the wind rustling in the gentle breeze. It was lovely and a lasting memory.
All to soon we knew it was time to leave. As we departed this special jungle temple area, we walked by the same coffee stand and saw these monks receive their dental donations.
Kip had arranged for our songthaew to pick us up and we were on our way once again down the mountain to Chiang Mai. We will always remember today and our time shared with Kip.
