Thai Shadow Puppetry: The Art of Nang Thalung and Nang Yai
Thailandâs shadow theatre: Nang Talung, a lively street art with satirical folk tales, and Nang Yai, a royal tradition performing the Ramakian epic. One is popular and free-spirited; the other sacred and temple-bound. Both keep ancient stories alive through leather puppets and dance.
A Bridge over the Chao Phraya: Franciscans and Buddhist Monks in Ayutthaya â A Spiritual Exchange that Defied Colonial Logic
In 1662 in Ayutthaya, Spanish Franciscans and TheravÄda Buddhist monks met beyond the limits of doctrine. Their dialogue, grounded in asceticism, poverty, and mendicancy, revealed a surprising sense of mutual recognition and spiritual respect within an Asian crossroads rich in cultural and religious exchange.
BhikkhunÄ« â Fully Ordained Female Monk
This text recounts my encounter with the bhikkhunīs, fully ordained Buddhist women. Combining personal narrative, ancient history, and contemporary realities in Thailand, it describes their origins at the time of the Buddha, their disappearance, and their modern revival, as well as the struggle of figures like Dhammananda for the recognition of nuns.
From Symbol to Statue: How Buddhaâs Image Shaped Devotion
At first, the Buddha just wanted to teach, not pose for statues. He was represented only through symbols. Centuries later, the inspiration came⊠from ancient Greece!
The Mon People: Gateways of Civilization
As an indigenous people of Southeast Asia, the Mon received TheravÄda Buddhism from Sinhalese monks. Between the 6th and 11th centuries, they became cultural bearers, spreading the faith, writing, and arts. Their legacy deeply inspired emerging kingdoms. Discreet facilitators, they gradually faded, leaving a lasting mark on civilization.
In the Footsteps of Queen Malika in MaeAi
Born in 1588, the Year of the Dragon, Malika was the daughter of the King and Queen of Fang. Heir to a kingdom in turmoil, she ruled over the region that now bears her name. In her citadel, inhabited primarily by women, she trained and led an army of brave warrior women who defended the city against invaders.
2nd Element Temple
texte en français – followed by the text in english Les temples thaĂŻlandais sont rĂ©putĂ©s pour leur architecture et les belles representations du Bouddha. Mais les Ă©lĂ©ments secondaires, souvent moins remarquĂ©s, rĂ©vĂšlent des aspects de la culture et de la spiritualitĂ© locales. En visitant le temple de Tham Ta Pan Ă Phang Nga dans le sud de la ThaĂŻlande, nousâŠ
Leper Island
In this text, I talk about the river island of Koh Klang, located a few kilometers south of the city of Chiang Mai. In the heart of the Northern Thai mountains, an unexpected story emerges from the meanders of the Ping River south of Chiang Maiâthe story of the leper asylum, founded in 1908 by Dr. James W. McKean. DoctorâŠ
The artisans of monk bowls
Let’s explore the alleyways of old Bangkok, where the artisan community of Ban Bat resides. In this neighborhood, artisans uphold a centuries-old tradition by handcrafting the iconic monk bowls. These bowls, utilized by Buddhist monks to receive food offerings, embody the elegance of traditional craftsmanship in Bangkok. The Morning Alms Walk with Monks Every morning, at sunrise in Thailand, aâŠ
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