Lindissi

During my vacation in Thailand, I spent a few hours talking to a few young monks. I found two temples in Chiang Mai that offer "Monk Chat." At these temples they set a few hours aside a few times a week where monks and visitors can chat. The monks come typically to practice English. The visitors come out of curiosity or to learn more about Buddhism, the lives of the monks and Thai culture. I found the experience altered my preconceived notions of monks. You know, peaceful and non judgmental and all that stuff..





I spoke with two monks. Primarily, Ugone who is from Loas and spoke excellent English. The other monk spoke very little English and basically just listened to Ugone and I talk. He giggled quite a lot too. Ugone became a monk when his mother died, he was under the age of ten then. It is customary for male children to becomes monks when their mothers die. He is now 20 and studying environmental studies. Mr. Giggles was a little younger maybe 18. The 3 of us sat at some tables under umbrellas at Wat(Temple) Chedi Luang. Other monks moved the umbrellas to make sure I had some shade. Very appreciated! It is hot!





Wat Chedi Luang is about 6000 years old. It used to house the famous Emerald Buddha but that is now in its own temple in Bangkok. Wat Chedi Luang is famous not only for its history but for the elephant status that decorate the base.





Our conversation begin just like most would with introductions and personal stories. I also learned Ugone had just got a laptop and he was having some trouble installing a driver. So, I somehow became monk tech support. I offered him my e-mail in case he had more questions. After learning about where they came from and what they are studying. I asked some basic questions about Buddhism and the like. I learned the color of the robe doesn't have anything to do with the rank or age of the monk, the colors that are used by different sects of monks are arbitrary. The groups just pick there colors. The orange robes are worn by the city monks who focus on learning and education and the burgundy robes are worn by forest monks that focus on mediation. I also learned that Buddhism practices in Thailand are stricter than Chinese or Japanese Buddhism. Apparently, Chinese and Japanese monks may marry and touch women and all that fun stuff while Thai monks can't even touch women. He described Thai Buddhism as the "Catholic" of Buddhism practitioners.


Ugone talked about being "Clear" or knowing your path in life and how to reach to any situation put in front of you. He found himself to be very "Clear" and that I and Mister Giggles are not. Hmmmm...okay. I am sure it is great to have your entire life planned out and to be prepared for any situation but unfortunately for all of us shit happens and no matter what your plans is something is going to have to change and no matter how much you train or plan or study there will be challenges that may overwhelm you. But he has his life planned out for now. He also told me to look in for happiness and don't convent people's Mercedes.


Ugone told me that he plans to stop being a monk after his studies and to maybe go into computers or something where he can make a lot of money. Coming from someone who just told me not to want someone else Mercedes I found this humorous. Then he asked me if I had any secrets. I'm thinking like what? Do I have someone buried in the backyard...mmm...no! So, I say something like, "mmmm...not really." He then states everyone has secrets. Ok, what kind of secrets are we talking about here.... I don't go off spouting every thought that comes to my mind but typically if someone asks me a direct questions I will *usually* answer honestly. As a after thought I thought he may considers some things secrets that I don't like sex. Yes, I have had sex! My mother knows this so big fucking secret. I don't go introducing myself to people and include that but hey it really isn't a secret. After this continued for awhile he says I am dishonest. I think everyone is somewhat dishonest or has been dishonest to someone at some point in their lives but I don't find dishonesty as one of my primary characteristics. So, I ask why do you think I am dishonest. He replies because he studied psychology . So, from a psychology course and talking to be for a brief time he decided I was dishonest. At this point I felt like leaving but I don't. I also think that if you are trying to get me to agree with is point of views insulting me isn't going to help, his psychology class should have taught him that people will more likely get defensive and attach back or build a wall against him and his ideas.


It was almost time for me to leave because I told Becky I would be back at the hotel before then but I didn't want to leave on a bad note. So, we go one to talk about more things. like American politics. He says he likes Obahma but thinks McCain is going to win because the American people are afraid. This is his opinion but I hope we prove him wrong.


He also said that he thinks men are better than women because men rule. I am thinking why is a monk who in my view should be non-judgmental declaring men are better. Because the rule!?! I think many people in ruling positions have huge character flaws like being greedy or power hungry so I cannot classify these people as better.


Additionally, Ugone likes war movies because soldiers know how to react to every situation. I spoke to my office mate about this statement, she is an marine. She basically says that training helps but they didn't always know how to handle everything. Anyway, I digress to my point that the monk like WAR MOVIES!


Eventually, I really had to leave because I was super late to meet Becky. They wanted me to come back to talk more but I told them it was my last day in Chiang Mai. Mr. Giggles teased me and asked if he could come with me. Then he told me he would be thinking about me....I am sure he meant something like he will be praying for me or something.


All in all even with the insults. I found it to be a worth while experience and decided that these where young men just like most young men around the world and becoming a monk for them is a way to a better education and opportunities in life that they otherwise wouldn't have had in their villages. Most monks, like Ugone, do not stay monks forever and they can leave whenever they like. I think it would have been a different experience to talk to a life long monk. At least it would be interested to be able to contrast them. I do recommend the "Monk Chat" experience to any visitors of Thailand. It is one of the few places you can talk to locals and learn more about Thai people and their cultural.


I didn't get any pictures of this but I also saw monks on cell phones, monks smoking cigarettes and monks with Starbucks cups!