Vajrayana path in Thailand….Glimpse of the past…

Bu Jing Master, the first abbot of Wat Bhoman in the late 40

The photo of Bu Jing master at the Wat Bhoman, Bangkok, Thailand

There are many monasteries that are located in Thailand. Mostly are connected to the Buddhist tradition of Theravada and Mahayana, also the Vajrayana(Tibetan Buddhism) .

The very rare one are those connected to the Vajrayana tradition. It has been constructed since mid year 1940 by Chinese monk. Master Bu Jing who was originated from China and acted as the chief abbot. He was originated from China and disciple to/ related to the Nora Rinpoche of the Riwoche Lineage.

These monasteries are currently still base in Bangkok (Wat Bhoman Khunaram) and Kanchanaburi (Wat Bu Ren). According to the disciple of the Master Bu Jing, these monasteries used to practice both the traditions of Mahayana & Vajrayana.

You may take a close look of the Wat Bhoman Khunaram situated on Sathu Pradit Road, Bangkok, Thailand. Please click here to see the beautiful photos slides of Wat Bhoman: Read:

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“It is widely known and often referred to as the most beautiful and splendid Chinese temple in Thailand and even in entire Southeast Asia. The elaborate artistic value of Buddhism arts in this temple is a magnificent hybrid between Thai, Chinese, and Tibetan styles”

Photos of Wat Bhoman Khunaram situated on Sathu Pradit Road, Bangkok, Thailand

Chinese signboard of Wat Bhoman

Main entrance of Wat Bhoman

The Vajrayana style stupa located at the Wat Bhoman

Guru Rinpoche statue located at the entrance of Wat Bhoman

The masters related to Riwoche Lineage

The photos of the Wat Bu Ren, Kanchanaburi, Thailand

The main entrance of the Wat Pu Ren

The signboard of the Wat Pu Ren (in Chinese, Tibetan and Thai characters)

The statue of Giuru Rinpoche located at the Wat Pu Ren

Beautiful Vajrayana style stupa located inside the Wat Pu Ren

More information of the Wat Bhoman, Master Bu Jin can be found here.
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New life comes, after the chilliness of winter over …..

Source: photo taken by an Korean labour activist, Lee Chang Geun, Jan year 2010 : A beautiful heavy snowing winter scene at Bigeum-Island, South Korea ( is located in West-South Sea of Korea peninsular)

“ The scene manifest alike a passing away of old life. And, another new life is going to reborn, soon after fighting over the chilly coolness ….. Another life comes with new energy, hope and peace…… Its always remind us not to give up, especially in the darkness time of our life.”

Source: photo taken by a Korean labour activist/friend, Lee Chang Geun, Jan year 2010 : A beautiful heavy snowing winter scene at Bigeum-Island, South Korea ( is located in West-South Sea of Korea peninsular)

“Going home” to respect my life’s root –says Theerada Namhai, Farmer Community School, Thailand

padi field in the village of Nongsang Tambon,Wapeepathum District,Maha Sarakham Province,Thailand

The view of the local community and home

In the last December 2009, I was so fortunate to be able traveling to various part of Thailand.

One of the area that I had visited was Nongsang Tambon,Wapeepathum District ,Maha Sarakham Province. This is the poorest province in northeastern region of the Thailand where has no school and water supply.

I and my Thai friend had met with the local women group (housewives)- “Plaboo Mut Yom Group” who are making the traditional natural dye cotton apparel for preservation of their income generation, traditional wisdom and also environmental conservation.

They use the most traditional way of hand make method, labour intensive and natural dye method in making their own cotton apparel and cloths/begs. This natural cotton products has become their important path to revive and sustain their local wisdom to the next generation. They use the extract of the plants and fruits (mangoes teen, turmeric etc) that are available in the community as the color base of the cotton apparel. Therefore, the women in the poor village are able to have income and also helps in preservation of the old tradition wisdom and environmental.

The key organizer of this group : Farmer Community School, Ms Theerada Namhai who has brought this wonderful dream of setting up the vision of supporting the poor community to be self empowering their life and community.
She call her self “ Going Home” – Bringing changes and hope of life . She was born and grow up in this village, but later she was able to study her master degree abroad and also involved in NGO work. But eventually, her final choice /destiny is “Going Home”,
Going Back to her root – to helps in bringing life , hope and changes of this poor village.

I felt very touch indeed to again meeting someone whose heart is filled with sincerity , loving kindness and selflessness in their dream. She chose to “back home’ to the most remote and poorest area to work with the poor. Instead of to be the NGO “professional” worker who are working in the air conditioned room and busy in typing the thick report for conference and funders. Here, we can see how a choice can be make, the different one, if we want to and has the determination.

I feel so much alive again when i were with them. Because i am meeting another wonderful soul 🙂

You may read about her vision and about the Farmer Community School in this web link: Volunteers are always welcome to join them!

Farmer Community School

Community hall that is used for education and making natual dye cotton apparel products

local wisdom of making cotton apparel

the use of natural color from mangosteen to dye the threads

making complete natural dye cotton apparel

The collective labour of love by the local women group -making the natural dye organic cotton apparel

women group gather in the community hall to sew and pack their labour of love

Using simple sewing tool plus the soft and gentle fingers of local women:: contribute to the making of the natural dye apparel/cloth products for the safe use and environmental friendly for the consumers

The beautiful natural cotton cloths for lady wear

Other beautiful natural cotton items: pencils casing, and begs etc

The great happiness of presenting their labor of love to the consumer in the market

Hello 1-Malaysia! The surprise “gift” of year 2010!

The event of “Bomb” and intended “Bloodshed” is the most unexpected surprise and gifts to Malaysian in this early year 2010. Especially for those who claimed themselves to defend and uphold their religion that preach on patient, peace and harmony, Surprisingly, the use of violence act is the method they choose to resolve of disagreement.

In the past, Malaysian tend to think these bombing and bloodshed , especially bombing horror will be happening only in other countries, such as Thailand, Indonesia. Philippines. All “civilians” or “state planned “conflicts that mostly were related to inter religion/races issues seems to be not happening in this country.

In a way , this is very much true. Even though as a young nation that just entered its 53 years old of independent. This country is always bless with less visual, physical violence among the races and religions.
Except some previuos tragedies occurred that were highly criticized by many renowned social and historical experts as “ill intention acts of minority” that aimed to serve their own vested interest.

Again, this type of tragedy again happened and maybe gear towards bigger disasters to the unity and nation building , especially in the midst of deepening political economic crisis that burden the life of so many working poor in this country.

I am indeed speechless and deep sadden when I saw the damages of the churches. I can imagine how will I feel if this is happening to also to the Buddhist temples and stupa etc. I saw the tears of the devotees and pastors of these churches and many were in deep fears.

Indeed, the act of this minority unknown violent elements had successfully instilled the sufferings and deep fears , or maybe even hatred in these targeted victim/community. They may achieve whatever vested interest aim they wish

Infect, there is no victory eventually in this games of violent acts. We all are losers. We, this generation of Malaysian and include our young generation will have to again bear this black tragedy memory in their collective memories. This is only deepening our disunity and mistrust. The “ 1 Malaysia” seems to be a
really a far reach dream!

May us together pray for the awakening of those whose minds are filled with ignorance of greediness, hatred and violence to realize whatever they had done today will not eventually benefits themselves. The seeds of their bad actions will only make them continue loss their wisdom and humanity.

Forgive them. These people are not our enemies. It is their ignorance due to the poisons of their minds that is the true enemies that can harm this nation.

May this ‘tragedies” will further strengthening our faith and trust that the Malaysia is indeed a blessed nation with the religion harmony. I trust that this “tragedy” can bring us together who are truly convict and dream of 1-Malaysia – to reject any violent and empty slogan.

For those who are truly believe on love peace, harmony and humanity, this tragedy only give us the deeper conviction to defend this nation.

The power of compassion , wisdom and understanding are the key elements that can hold us Malaysian to face this challenge and progress from this lesson..

9 January 2009
KL