Winnie's Whereabouts

Oct escapade, to Wat Baan Taad at Udon Thani

Wat Baan Taad is e forest monastery of a well-known monk, Acariya Mahaboowa who is 93yrs old.
2years ago, i had read a Book (Ven A.Mun, a Spiritual Biography) which gave an account of the life & practise of his teacher, a forest monk. I really wanted to visit the author, & so here i was in October!

Date: 13(sat) - 16(tue) October
Weblink: http://www.luangta.or.th/english/index.html

Highlights of e trip:

* Vivid indigo skies at e break of dawn.. while heading towards Tigerair by e runway.

* Encounter with a small group of sporeans (this was surprising, as i had been enquiring in buddhist circles in spore pre-trip but did not find anyone who has been here b4.. yet come across sporeans first thing on arrival!)

* "Kare", my accomodation for e few days.. a simple wooden platform abt 2x2m (Just pillars, no walls.. but there was mozzie net, straw mat, blanket & a pillow) - First time i've come across this, it was quite a surprise

* My host, Santi & friends (Nong, Nok), Siaklow(Francis) & e little brown curly furred poodle (Yongkee aka Porkfloss)

* Helping out with e chopping & preparation of food in e woman's quarters

* Encounter with Luangta A. Mahaboowa... on an evening walk, holding a sweet & looking up at e trees.

* The myraid animals foraging in e compound - squirrels (even white ones!), tortises, mousedeer, snake, little warblers (bird), kampong chickens(cockerel, hen, chicks), peacocks.

* Pindapat (alms round) : A procession of barefoot monks with alms bowls & long line of people making offering just outside the compounds of Baan Taad. There is so much that helpers & 4x4-trucks are needed during collection. Such a spectacle.. at 7am in e morning!

* Breakfast time in e Sala, where e monks make blessings & eat and visitors have a wonderful picnic too, sharing plenty of food.

* Glorious thai food.. so yummy!

* One meal per day rule (which i was surprised that i could quite easily do at Wat Baan Taad!)

* Fun Dynamism at Wat Baan Taad: After Breakfast, Dharma Sharing, Q&A & Announcements all in Thai language, a bunch of Pet dogs come lolling & playing on e Stage!

* Spaniels, bulldogs, pugs, pekinese, dalmations, mix-breeds are much beloved at e Wat!

* Than Martin ( e western monk) & e sprinkling of western ideas/interpretation of buddhism

* Simply the practise of "Budho, Budho, Budho", a cultivation of awareness, concentration & inspiration to e innate light within e heart.

* Boowa means Lotus, a parting gift from e taxi driver while passing by a water-channel of lotus !

Well, frankly.. e trip was a mix of experiences, uncertainties pre-trip, the blessings (indigo skies & meeting A Mahaboowa, e Baantaad experience), aches sleeping on a hard platform, hunger pangs fr 1meal/day, facing boredom / feeling of un-achieving (when we r accustomed to being busy in e city... to do "nothing" except observe e breathe, takes so much effort.. ironically! ;)

I m very glad i made e Trip nevertheless!