After exploring the sights of Chiang Mai, Jon and I decided to head north for a couple of days to visit Chiang Rai, Mae Sai and cross into Burma. We hired a guide who could escort us on the trip and pump us full of interesting historical facts during our two day excursion.
Traditional Buddhist art is fused with the contemporary world in a magnificent temple, Wat Rong Khun, about half an hour outside of Chiang Rai. Wat Rong Khun, more commonly known as the White Temple, is the brain child of renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat. Khun Chalermchai began construction of the temple in 1997, self funding the project so he could build a great offering to the Buddha and undertake his life's greatest work. While the main hall is complete, other parts of the temple are still under construction.
The White Temple is an absolutely breathtaking and magical sight to behold. The main hall and other parts of the temple are all white, symbolizing the Buddha's purity. Every surface of the temple is covered in mosaics of mirrors, sparkling in the sun, representing the Buddha's teaching to look back on ourselves and observe the mind. The temple design also incorporates metal pieces purchased by visitors and left behind with wishes for blessings.
The main hall of the temple represents Heaven and in order to reach it visitors must cross over the pit of hell on their walk into the temple. You find hidden messages and meaning everywhere you look at the white temple, the level of detail is staggering. Although the mural in the main hall is only partially completed, the mixture of traditional Buddhist motifs and modern themes is obvious. The mural contains imagery of the burning twin towers of September 11, Keanu Reeves from The Matrix, figures from Star Wars and spaceships. Nestled amongst the vivid pictures is an eerily realistic wax Buddha sitting serenely in the middle of the hall on the floor.
After visiting the white temple our guide Joe took us to meet some of the hill tribes inhabiting the area outside of Chiang Rai. There are six major hill tribes; the Kariang, the Hmong, the Yao, the Akha, the Lisu and the Lahu. Each tribe has a distinct culture, religion, language and form of dress.
Jon and I got to meet people from the Akha, Kariang and Yao tribes. The Akha tribe are easily recognized by the black caps covered with silver coins worn by the women. The Karaing tribe, also known as the long neck Karens, are most noted for the metal rings worn by the women to elongate their necks. The Yao tribe are recognized by the large ear piercings of the women. The proximity of the villages to the major cities might leave them susceptible to the influence of modern ways in the future, but for the time being, the hill tribe people are refreshingly rooted in their traditional customs and way of life.
By early evening it was time to make our way to Mae Sai where we could visit the Opium Museum and see the golden triangle; the meeting point of Thailand, Laos and Burma. Mae Sai is the Northern most part of Thailand and borders Burma.
After our long but rewarding day, we called it an early night in preparation for our visit into Burma the next morning.
This might be the closest we ever come to meeting the famous Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, the mastermind behind the White Temple.
About the enter the main hall (heaven) of the White Temple.
Jon preparing to cross the pit of hell at the White Temple.
I filled in a blessing for my family and left my offering behind so it could be incorporated into the design of the White Temple in the future.
Snapshots of the White Temple and detail in the design of the pit of hell.
At the Golden Triangle, the meeting point of Thailand, Laos and Burma.
Snapshots from our visit with the hill tribes outside of Chiang Rai.
No comments:
Post a Comment