Double offering
(Visitors making offerings at Doi Suthep Temple: Chiang Mai, Thailand)
The highlights of today have been many and varied since we left Bangkok for Chiang Mai; I discovered the joys of business class flying for the very first time. These included seeing Thai hero Dr Porntip in the business class lounge (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pornthip_Rojanasunand)*, lots of space in the aeroplane seats and eating sandwiches with the crusts cut off – in that order. Now I’m sitting decadently in a hotel robe sipping a glass of white wine and discovering (without too much astonishment) that I cannot type as well after a few sips.
Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s larger cities and sits nestled close to a mountainous region. One of the greater experiences of the day was a visit to Doi Suthep Temple amongst these hills; of course it was a tourist trap with all the usual trimmings, but it is also a working temple swarming with shaven-headed, sunset robed monks. This pair caught my eye as we wandered the area around the ‘stupa’, or centrepiece of the temple; it usually contains Buddhist relics. They were performing Buddhist devotion by kneeling, burning incense and laying down offerings of flowers, I have heard that in doing this, they are entitled to make a wish. I will put up many more pictures of this temple as it was truly incredible for detail, character and rituals so you won’t miss anything.
*I added this link in case you don’t know of the doctor. Note: I do not like to use Wikipedia much, but in this instance it offers the most concise introduction summary of this lady and her work.
