Wat Rong Kuhn ... 27 Days in Thailand Summary 1 ...

A few questions answered:
A handful of you on here had asked me what was going on up in Chiang Rai at Wat Rong Khun, or what is popularly known as the 'White Temple.' I wanted to take a few moments and try to take a whack at some of the questions. Everyone was very surprised to see those pictures because it was an absolutely beautiful place to behold and it really played on those stereotypes in our minds about 'Heaven,' 'Nirvana' and the next life, especially being represented in all white. Dramatic is an understatement. Some of you had never seen that place before and trust me, I was as shocked when I saw it in photos just as some of you were. In person, it's staggering. No joke.For the record, I personally found all the Wats I've visited in Thailand so far equally beautiful, but it's no secret that Wat Rong Kuhn probably visually plays on the brain and the spirit as something quite different and something somehow more reverential.Some of this info is according to the Temple Information itself, our Guide, and some from Mini's family, but I think you'll get the gist of it. There are really no truths in how things come about, just in the fact that they do. That's really my first answer. I think the most honest answers would come from the artist himself. Just my five cents, or 5 satang, as they might say here in Thailand.So, accordingly, Chiang Rai was apparently off the beaten track for a lot of years with Western Tourists. Most people didn't go there. I'm sure people did go, but not in the numbers they do now. According to our driver up in Chiang Rai, it was a poorer rural area, dedicated to farming and other businesses and like many places where Westerners don't go (but Thai people probably go all the time), Chiang Rai was just one more place on the map.
Now, that's all changed. The Americans who flock to Chiang Mai looking for some kind of weird, dualistic experience where they go to Temple in the daytime, chant mantras, count beads and receive Monk blessings in the day, and then go out and party, drink beer and listen to Electronic Dance Music at night is interesting to say the least. I'm trying not to be sarcastic, but if it comes out that way, I know you won't hold it against me. But that's how youth is, isn't it? Youth. Enjoy it while you have it. They weren't kidding when they said it was wasted on the young. Now, the Americans and other idealists have Chiang Rai and the White Temple in their sights and they show up in droves.I'm not knocking what most Americans are doing right now, and yes, most of those tourists up in Chiang Rai who were looking for that 'dualistic experience' were young Americans. The Europeans were doing something similar, but different, as were the busloads of Chinese. Foodies, more than anything.I get it, but I also don't. It's not my journey. I cannot criticize that. I'm too old now to enjoy that level of youth, but I understand the nature of being in your twenties and being care-free and wild and traveling the world. Been there, done it, moved on. Now, I'd rather just sit down, have a cup of tea and watch the birds pop around calling out to each other.Wat Rong Kuhn was a temple that had been there for quite some time and had fallen into disrepair due to a lack of funds in the area. To my knowledge, most, if not all Wats are supported by community donations and the followers that come to temple. In Thailand, the men are all expected to attend temple at some point in their lives and live as a Monk. Even if it's for a single day, a month or a lifetime. Most do, but some never make it. Some have the funds and some don't. Yes, they shave their heads and eyebrows, preform tasks, pray and probably do everything you might think in your mind and more.

A Thai artist named Chalermchai Kositpipat who was from the Chiang Rai, a local boy done good, who had some fame and fortune from his paintings (see pictures below) decided to buy the Wat and rebuild it as a dedication to his journey through life and Buddhist faith. A lot of what you see is about ... (get ready for this) ... the wickedness of people who are consumed by greed and desire. I looked around for him wandering around as it's common knowledge that he's always there. Would've been nice to say "Sawasdee Crub!"Now, as you enter the area you have to cross a bridge and rise above greed and desire which is represented by reaching hands, empty bowls, twisted faces, you name it. Think about that -- you have to RISE above that in order to proceed, That's the point.When you get to the next, larger bridge you're confronted by two half-human / half-bird mythological beings called Kinaree. These guys apparently will judge you and stop you from continuing if you haven't followed some basics in your life. Being honest, not lusting after women, being kind to animals, being kind to others, etc.Then you follow on into the main building, the Ubosot. I didn't take any pictures of the murals inside the main building, but there were images and icons from popular culture, Neo from the Matrix, Michael Jackson, Hello Kitty, terrorist attacks and nuclear war.

Now, if you read about these things, you might know that in many cultures, the idea of the Guardians to the next world being birds is quite prevalent. From the tribes in Northern Alaska (Inupiat) to the Toltects and the Mayans, the Yaqui's from the Sonoran Desert, and all the way over to Egypt. As much as things change through time, things are the same. Even in Thailand, if you look up at the buildings, especially the buildings of State, you will see Garuda everywhere. Yes, he's a guardian to the next world. Yes, he has wings and yes, he's all over Thailand.

When you come to Thailand, I cannot stress this as much as I already have in these 1000 words, but you need to come to Chiang Rai and see Wat Rong Kuhn / The White Temple. Is it a religious experience? I can't answer that. Is it a spiritual experience? I cannot answer that either. Is it something for you to see to consider both of those things for the next life? Absolutely.
And as incredible as this place was, I think the Black House / Bandaam Gallery had an even stronger effect on me just because of my childhood. I'll post on that later.