Tag Archives: monk

AS A THING IS VIEWED, SO IT APPEARS

The Emerald Buddhais not made of emeraldbut a kind of greenand mutton coloured jadestone. Nor is it a Buddha,though seated on a gilded throneabove our heads;though presented every yearwith new robes by the King himself;though credited with magical powersof healing … Continue reading

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DOING THE SPIRIT OF THE GREAT SNAKE

Before a would-be monk is ordained,he is called Nāga (Great Snake).Jain Narong (He Who Has Long Campaigned)has come of ageand, for his grandmother’s sake,sits in the afternoon before his ordinationand waits for a drama to unfold.He faces a table with … Continue reading

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THE DEVA

Sawang sits meditatingin front of the large Buddha image.His loose top is gold,his trousers gold and green.He has short hair and a pleasant face.He has been the Guardian deityfor five hundred years.In the beginning there were many tigers.The last tiger … Continue reading

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