I confess, as you may suspect, I rely on an online translator. So, for the first time, you are reading me in the language of Hemingway, with fewer grammatical faux pas.
A Bridge over the Chao Phraya: Franciscans and Buddhist Monks in Ayutthaya – A Spiritual Exchange that Defied Colonial Logic
In 1662 in Ayutthaya, Spanish Franciscans and Theravāda 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.
Bhikkhunī – 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.
The Interfaith Pilgrimage of Wat Ket
On September 13, 60 participants—students and faculty from Payap University and local community members—walked through Chiang Mai’s Wat Ket neighborhood. This interfaith pilgrimage brought together temples, churches, mosques, and shrines, creating a day of shared learning, dialogue, and spiritual connection.
From Symbol to Statue: How Buddha’s 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 Theravāda 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.
The Revelation of the White Rabbit at Chiang Dao
Un lapin blanc aux yeux scintillants bondit depuis le sud. Devant lui, le Doi Luang s’élève, majestueux, couronné de brume. Ce sanctuaire sacré irradie un silence chargé de mystère. Le lapin ralentit, sentant qu’ici, le voile de l’avenir va se lever devant lui.
Vilanka: The Tale of the Lawa King
Vilanka, king of the Lawa with a broken heart, tells a historical destiny often overshadowed by a queen who took all the spotlight. Amid mountains, legends, and thrown spears, his story blends ancestral pride, betrayals, and struggles to preserve the soul of a forgotten people in Northern Thailand.
A trishaw in Sagaing
Sagaing, the once-forgotten former capital of Myanmar, is now a peaceful town, home to nearly two thousand monks and nuns. But that’s not the story I want to tell you. Instead, I’d like to share a travel anecdote — a personal journey across these sacred hills, drawn from three visits through time. And while you may escape a history lesson,…
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.
The Peace Accord of the Lawa Land
As the ogres Phu Sae, Ya Sae, and their son terrorize the land of the Lawa, the Buddha decides to come in person to pacify these giants and establish peace agreements that endure to this day.
A Monk Ordination
On January 5, 2025, I am invited to attend a Buddhist monk ordination. I have witnessed ordinations before, but this is the first time I will be participating from start to finish as an invited guest, rather than just a passing spectator. It is a great honor for me. Dr. Kenneth, a professor at Payap University’s Peacebuilding faculty, is one…
The Chiang Mai Pilgrimage: An Interfaith Walk
On the morning of January 8, 2025, the air is crisp in Chiang Mai. We gather in front of the Gymkhana Club. One by one, the participants arrive—former students, teachers, and members of local communities—all ready to embark on this unique walk. The idea is simple: to connect different places of worship on foot, creating a symbolic link between these…
The Legend of the Khun Tan Orchid
A story in 6 chapters that I crafted while strolling along the paths leading to the summit of Khun Tan. I drew inspiration from actual historical events. All mentioned characters were real individuals (except for the opium-loving reverend, a creation of my imagination). Chapter 1: Khun Tan Station and the Pierced Mountain Our tale commences as the walker, hailing from…
The Legend of the Elephant, Protector of Lepers.
Here is a legend that I invented based on the history of the McKean Center in Chiang Mai. It’s a short story in three parts. PART ONEIt all begins with a mad elephant… Once upon a time, in the distant land of Chiang Mai, there was a creature unlike any other: an elephant with the demeanor of a troublemaker, more…
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 Mai—the story of the leper asylum, founded in 1908 by Dr. James W. McKean. Doctor…
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, a…
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