Chiang Mai Day 4 - Monk Chat 💛

Buddhism… so many questions. Do they believe in a god? Is it a religion? Why all the temples? Can Monk’s even talk to me being a woman? Reincarnation vs rebirth? Why can’t I give them a nuggie?

Mike had to endure the million questions I fired his way this last week so in true Mike fashion, he set up a Monk Chat! Who knew this was a thing? Well… Mike did! And his buddy, Canadian Chris “CC” (who is retired working for you).

Link to CC’s YouTube: https://youtu.be/FY44TBIluq0

Phra KK is his name and Buddhism is his game. Crazy how things work out, as Phra KK was the same monk CC interviewed. 😳 He traveled 1 1/2 hours from his temple just to meet with us, given it was Buddhist holiday and no one else was available.

The teachings were wonderful! Almost like he knew I was a note taker, as he provided me pen and paper, and then went to town starting from Buddha’s birth to his death, then to old vs present day practices and the differences between South East Asia Buddhism vs North East Asia Buddhism.

Goal of a Buddhist? To achieve Nirvana… not the Kurt Cobain kind but mind/body balance, the “middle road”. Enlightenment.

Buddhism is not a religion either! No god… What I witnessed and classified as worship as people bowed down and provided offerings of flowers and food, Phra KK said it was their people’s way of showing respect to Buddha’s teachings. Bowing down is also a physical way to keep one’s ego in check. The statues and practices were all reminders for Buddhist people to live right, with respect and be humble. Ego should not be their amigo, ya know?

As for women and monks, it’s a myth that monk’s can’t talk to women. They can most definitely talk with the ladies but no touching. Thats a big no-no. And there are woman monks! Just very few… the path for women to become a monk has more challenges. One example, women monks have 311 “rules” vs 227 for men.

There is SO much more info to digest. In fact; 3 pages of notes to review. And, Phra KK gifted us with a book that may answer more questions. We gifted Phra KK with knowledge that “R is for Rad” so I’m sure he got as much out of this chat as we did. 😉

Next trip to Chiang Mai, Phra KK invited us to do an overnight mediation retreat in the mountains. Mike got his WhatsApp so I’m sure Phra KK will reach out to us. Maybe we can teach him about God and Jesus Christ, and how I see God’s hands working in their Buddhist practices. Who knows? 🙏🏼 Stay tuned!

After we digested Monk Chat, it was time to digest some more food. Not our best meal… but probably best so we didn’t have full bellies for our massage time. Decided to do it big on the massages for our last night in Chiang Mai and the Thai didn’t disappoint.

After massages… one more meal at a small restaurant, and another night market trip before turning in for the night.

Another full day and so much to be grateful for. God is good.

Tomorrow off to Khao Sok National Park! ✈️Read more