IN THE YEAR 2548
In August 2005, I traveled
to Thailand as a volunteer in
connection with the rebuilding and replanting efforts after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, sometimes known
as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake, the second largest earthquake ever recorded. It called to the very depths of my Druid heart.
This earthquake, with an
estimated magnitude of 9.15, killed more than 150,000 people worldwide, making
it one of the deadliest disasters in modern history. In Thailand alone, approximately 11,000
are thought to have perished.
In Bangkok, I loaded and unloaded
trucks, some with medical supplies to help stock new clinics built in
preparation of future emergencies. These
were small, older Ford Couriers. I never saw a semi tractor-trailer the entire
time. Additionally, I planted a number
of trees in devastated areas.
Several Grove-mates
entrusted me with offerings and those items were made either to a
tsunami-battered, ordained fir tree or into the Andaman Sea from a beach on Phuket Island. We had also combined our efforts and raised a
significant amount of money doing odd jobs to be contributed to those in need
during my stay. After researching the
different organizations, I made the decision to give it to an agency caring for
children orphaned because of the tsunami.
For those who do not know, Thailand is overwhelmingly Buddhist
(Theravada) and the monks ordain their old growth to protect them from being
cut down. These special trees are set
off from their brethren by being wrapped permanently with a yellow ribbon.
Interestingly, the Thai
people don’t follow the same calendar as we do.
The year over there is 2548 which marks when Gautama Buddha passed
through the veil. The dates of their main
holidays are still calculated by both lunar and solar calendars. This probably plays a part in their remaining
closely tied to the rhythm of the seasons.
My location in Bangkok was a neighborhood rarely
visited by Caucasians. Twice I found
small children at my feet looking up at me in open-mouthed awe with their
parents watching intently a few paces away.
In my experience, Thai children, even the very young ones, are cheerful,
respectful, well dressed and always spotlessly clean. Sadly, I discovered that Thailand is experiencing some of the
same problems with its younger generation that we are here in the West. When I made an offering to a Buddhist temple,
I was strongly encouraged to leave only flowers, not money, because doing so
encourages vandalism.
Like my ancient ancestors,
the Thai participate in ancestor worship and pray to them for guidance. They also regard the head as the most
respected and highest part of the body.
Therefore in Thailand, only lovers and mothers
and children may touch each other’s face.
I also learned that the foot is considered the dirtiest and lowest part
of the body. Feet must always point away
from others as well as from any representation of Buddha. Upon entering a home or temple as well as any
place held in high regard, everyone is required to remove their street shoes at
thresholds and don slippers. I believe
there is a practical aspect to this simple act of purification since that
country does not yet have an adequate sewer or water reclamation systems in
place.
A notable characteristic of
the Thai people, also, is their belief of animism, which pre-dates
Buddhism. They believe in “guardian
spirits” as well as “locality spirits”, again like my ancestors, and these must
be appeased in order to avoid curses and receive blessings. It is in this regard they offer a spirit
house to those entities displaced when a building is constructed. Offerings of figurines, candles, flowers,
fruit, etc., are made daily or weekly. I
noted that many had auxiliary platforms for dumb suppers. Most are decorated with Christmas-type lights
which are lit all year. There is a
downside to this in that the living remain reluctant to frequent those areas
hardest hit by the tsunami because they believe the spirits, or ghosts, of the
deceased continue to lurk in confusion.
Their animist belief carries
over to their landscaping. In the United States, plants are placed
according to growing conditions or for aesthetics. So to my eyes what originally appeared to be
a neglected courtyard was actually a living shrine with each plant placed more
carefully than the items on my own personal altar. Shrubs, flowers and trees each have inherent
power magnified or subdued according to their placement to other animate and
inanimate objects in the area.
Another similarity to
Western followers of earth-based spiritualities was how Thai surnames and given
names always have deeper meanings. My Bangkok liaison’s name meant
“golden book” which definitely reflected her high level of education and
wisdom.
I found in Thailand they take personal
responsibility to heart. Everyone is
expected to speak up otherwise it will be assumed that their needs have been
sufficiently met. As I see it, this
practice prevents guilt without violating the virtue of hospitality.
In summary, I found the Thai people approached life
considerably differently than I do. This
is not to say I believe my culture is better.
Instead, the experience supported my pre-existing opinion that no one
way is the only correct way. I remember
the words of a man who had been involved with dropping of ~the Bomb~ who told
me that there are many ancient and proud cultures in the world that we
Americans need to learn to respect, and I now realize the depth of his words.
Blessings, Aigeann
Trees can reduce the heat of a summer's day, quiet a highway's noise, feed
the hungry, provide shelter from the wind and warmth in the winter. You see,
the forests are the sanctuaries not only of wildlife, but also of the human
spirit. And every tree is a compact between generations.
- George Bush,
U.S. President, 1989
