Full cultural immersion is an intangible element of every ISDSI student’s experience, and has proven to be life-changing for many past participants. However, in order to more fully integrate themselves into the local community and gain a deeper understanding of what has shaped Thailand into the country it is today, students need to understand what traditions and principles this country’s way of life is founded on. It takes hands-on exploration into the history and development of Thailand, and that is exactly what the students had the opportunity to do this week.
After studying Thailand’s economy, history and politics earlier this week, the students divided up into three groups and spent an afternoon visiting three different historical sites around Chiang Mai’s “old city” – Srisuphan Temple, December 5th community and Nantaram Temple. Each site was unique and a great example of culture and tradition being preserved while development is rapidly taking place. Students also broadened their understanding of the roles of Buddhism, community development and goods production in Thailand’s present-day society.
At Srisuphan Temple, a temple known for its preservation of silversmithing, ISDSI students had the opportunity to spend time with the head monk and another monk. At first, focusing on one of the two temples on the property, the head monk distinguished the different pieces of art which were Lanna Kingdom (now northern Thailand) style and Thai style. He also shared about the silver sheets of art on the walls which tell the story of Buddha, and the hand painted images showing the 12 different animals representing the 12 year calendar cycle. Next, the group visited the silversmiths from the local community who work on the temple grounds and craft beautiful pieces of art out of silver, aluminium and gold for the temple and also to sell outside. It was also during this time that the students learned how much it takes to make one piece of art – heating tar and silver, patience, time, skill, vision, imagination and the list goes on.
Continuing their walk around the temple grounds, the students visited young monks (10-16 years old) who were busy with a chisel in one hand and small hammer in the other. Over the sound of busy hammers echoing around the property, the head monk explained that the temple has a vision to train up a new generation of silversmiths, and since most young people are not interested, it is left to the young monks to carry on the traditional craft.
With a deeper understanding of how much work it takes to make one small piece of silver art, the students were led to the silver temple, a work-in-progress for the past 10 years. It is estimated that it will take a minimum of two more years and an additional US$500,000+ to complete the structure. The head monk also shared that this temple is a “research” temple of sorts as there are no other ones like this known in the World, and therefore they are left to find ways to handle a variety of issues that arise over time. Some specific samples he mentioned include the blackening of the silver, the fact that silver is a conductor of electricity and the problems of acid rain. Going beyond the uniqueness of it being a temple plated in silver, the monks mentioned the other interesting part of this temple is that it is used for ordaining new monks and as a result women are not allowed to enter at any time.
As the afternoon came to a close, the two other student groups returned to the temple grounds from the other sites, and every group had the opportunity to share about their experience. It was clear that the students noticed the uniqueness each site brings to Chiang Mai, and got a peek into the importance of leaders rising up in different sectors of society and preserving the old traditions while also recognizing the importance of adapting to the present day.
Thailand is quickly developing, but with a greater understanding of the country’s founding principles and culture, students are now able to better understand and immerse themselves in the Thailand of today!
Here are a couple photos from the students who visited December 5th Community, a small neighborhood that is working hard to preserve a portion of the original Lanna Kingdom outer wall. Despite having a lack of resources and finances, the community is joining together for this cause.
