A black cat

Here comes the spring
so I take a walk
to the temple I bring
A long thought

The hike was usual
a long trip of mind
but at the top
A joy I would find

I payed my respects
to the monks who do
what most of us neglect
To follow through

Then a little soul
dressed in black
crossed my path
And I was taken back

I played with the cat
with my walking staff
till it purred away
And rubbed my back

As I walked away
the cat confused
i wanted to stay
Not just for today

The trail led on
down the rocky slope

Happy Holidays

I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Times are tough
All over the world
From East to West
And all the rest

Gifts may be small
This year moneys tight
But babies still crawl
And candles still light

So cherish the simple
The things that will always be
Take care of our earth
In spring plant a tree

A glimpse at the moon
A breath of fresh air
These things we all have
These things we can all share

Happy Holidays to all
Happy days to come
This is my wish
An in faith can be done


Happy Holidays,

Mountain Temple

This mountain temple is one of my favorites. I hiked to the temple the first time I came to Thailand. At that time there was one small temple building and an ancient chedi. The new temple building, in this picture, houses several large white Buddhas. The building has simple clean lines and an amazing roof structure.



This Buddha makes his home in a man-made cave at the same mountain temple. This is an example of a fairly uncommon white Buddha. Most of the Buddhas in Thai temples tend to be gold.

History

We all may be witnessing one of the most powerful uniter and speakers the world has ever seen. There is no doubt we are experiencing one of the most historic events in world history, the first black (and white) president.

Watching Barack's acceptance speech today, I flashed back to the nights our family gathered around to watch the much anticipated television series "Roots" in the year 1977. As a young boy, my emotions ran wild watching Kunta Kinte struggle through the beatings and chains of slavery wanting only freedom and to love. The most dominate emotion was sadness. It was sadness for what black people had been put through because of the color of their skin and the ignorance of their fellow humans.

Time will tell how the presidency will treat Barack, but for now he is a beacon in the darkness for countless people around the world. A beacon to all ethnicities.

Good luck to the United State's new first family, and to President, Barack Hussein Obama ll.

Deadly Box Jellyfish

An official warning issued by the Phuket Marine Bological Center (PMBC) confirms that the potentially deadly box jellyfish have arrived in the waters around Phuket, Thailand.

The box jellyfish were found in a fish trap. The jellyfish prefer the shallower brackish waters. A two-day collection recovered another eighteen more in the same area.

This follows a reported death of a Swedish Tourist in the waters off Koh Lanta. In early April another person was reportedly stung in these same waters.

The box jellyfish can have a potentially deadly sting. The toxin from the tentacles can travel to the heart in four minutes, causing cardiac arrest.

Regular household vinegar is one of the best medicines. Vinegar can slow the toxins entering the blood stream lessening the effect of a sting.

Local authorities recommend bringing a small bottle of vinegar to the beach in case of a box jellyfish sting. This method also works on other types of jellyfish stings.

If anyone is suspected to have been stung by a box jellyfish, apply vinegar to the sting. If the victim falls into cardiac arrest, begin CPR immediately.

"Your learning FLASH?"

This past week I had a chance to interview for a school in Chiang Rai, a town near the northern border of Thailand. In the interview process, I was required to “demo teach” a class of students ranging from 12 to 14 years old. The kids were great, and I was impressed with their English speaking skills.

I also toured the English speaking section of the school that consists of over 3000 students. These Thai students are required to take several classes taught entirely in English. Courses consist of science, social studies, health, English, and computer class.

I was especially impressed that these young students were learning computer programs including Excel and Flash. By the time the kids are 14 years old, they will learn how to write script in Flash, the same website design program I spent time learning while attending journalism school at the University of South Florida.

Thailand, being a developing country, looks towards its younger generations to help the country progress in the age of escalating Asian economies. Judging from the skills these kids are acquiring, Thailand should have a bright future. That is, if the country can solve its ongoing governmental saga that, according to global business reports, hinders economic stability and growth.

Monk Chat

This is an partial excerpt from a handout I picked up at Wat Suan Dok Temple in Chiang Mai. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons there is a free “Monk Chat” that gives the monks a chance to practice their English, and give the western visitors a chance to visit with a Monk and receive a lesson in Buddhism if they so wish.

********

Dear fellow westerner,

If you come here motivated by your personal and sincere quest for what could answer your existential questions and the desire to find a gratifying spiritual nourishment or simply because driven by the intellectual curiosity on a philosophy and a view of life about which you want to know more, you are most welcome.

Thailand is a Buddhist country, and in Buddhism thrives its culture and civilization. It is because of this Buddhist culture, tolerant, non-aggressive nor violent, that Thailand and its people are as they are, which is the reason for which we like them. This culture must be preserved and respected. Keep in mind, therefore, that you are in a Buddhist Country, in a Buddhist Temple, and in a Buddhist Academy. Coming here with the intention to convert shows at least a lack of tact and of respect and it shows ignorance.

A “Christian” Thailand is not conceivable without causing the destruction of its culture. History has widely proven that dogmas and the frightful claim to hold the only “truth” generate exclusiveness and intolerance, which in turn lead to violence. Exclusiveness and intolerance have violently and without mercy destroyed the ancient peaceful and tolerant pagan world of the Greeks and Romans and that of the pre-Columbian civilizations of Central and South America. Exclusiveness and intolerance have led to violent clashes and slaughters among Christian sects and among monotheistic religions.

Furthermore, such evangelization has the ultimate and undeniable intent of undermining and destroying a culture, a social structure and traditions, replacing them with a narrow-minded religious absolutism, which is foreign to the cultural background of peoples of this part of the world. This is unacceptable and condemnable also by the intellectual integrity of any westerner.

Carlo Faillace
(Prof. of History and of Romantic Languages and Literature)