Chiangmai Holy 9 Temple 4th Stop~~Chedi Luang

Wat Chedi Luang was founded in 1401 and is dominated by a large Lanna style chedi which took many years to finish. An earthquake damaged the chedi in the 16th century and only two-thirds of it remain.

Built in 1391, during the reign of King Saen Muang Ma, 8th ruler of the Mengrai dynasty, Wat Chedi Luang's massive chedi (pagoda) is a distinctive feature of the Chiang Mai skyline. At its peak, the chedi measured 44 meters (144 feet) wide and 86 meters (282 feet) tall and was the home of the Emerald Buddha, Thailand's most sacred cultural treasure.
Damaged during an earthquake in 1545, the structure is still impressive with a naga (water serpent) staircase on each of its faces and wonderful statues of elephants adorning the base. Legend has it that if the gum tree just inside the entrance ever falls, a terrible disaster will occur. A special pulley system allows visitors to leave offerings and prayers atop the chedi. The temple is located on Phra Pokklao Road and is easy to find, since the chedi is one of the tallest buildings in the old city.

Chedi Chang Lom which is the oldest and most significant stupa in the temple compound. It is recorded that once King Mengrai, King Ngaam Muang from Payao and King Ruang of Sukothai had fully completed the construction of the new city and this temple then the chedi was erected upon the site of the original royal palace. Enshrined within the chedi is said to be a hair relic of the Lord Buddha. This is now referred to as ‘The Sacred Elephant Encircled Stupa’ for obvious reasons as it is supported by a veritable herd of these endearing animals. Atop the white chedi is a gold decorated top that is glistening in the sun against a clear blue sky this morning and looking a picture.

Open: daily, 06.00 to 17.00
Admission: free
大佛塔寺（Wat Chedi Luang），创建于1411年，于清迈市内六大寺庙中最为著名，与帕辛寺（Wat Phra Singh）同为清迈地位最崇高的寺庙。寺内有一座宏大的四方形佛塔，始建于15世纪初，以后数次增建，高达85.4米，据说可远望千里。1545年，清迈发生一次大地震和大风灾，佛塔的尖顶一夜之间塌毁，露出塔内的金身佛像。寺内60米高的兰那风格佛塔建于1441年，毁于16世纪的一次地震，但依然是城内最宏伟的建筑。塔的南侧有6个象头雕像，其中5个都是后来用水泥修复的赝品，只有最右边用砖头砌成的是真品。可惜的是，经年的风吹日晒把鼻子和耳朵都吹走了。围绕着四方形佛塔走，在四方形佛塔的后面有两座殿堂。在每座殿堂中间的玻璃橱中端坐着身披迦裟的Chedi Luang寺高祖，目光炯炯，栩栩如生。寺有还尊佛像坐在玻璃大盒子里，开始我们都还以为是肉身舍利，不由得敬畏不已。后来问了寺内的工作人员才知道是蜡像。

Wat Chiang Man

This is one of the area i like most. You can see all these board tied on the tree, with meaningful quotes. This is the area where Novice can interact with the public.

Murals of stories of Buddha can be seen everywhere is the Hall .

Chiangmai Holy 9 Temple 3rd Stop~~ Wat ChiangMan

Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, dates from the 13th century. King Mengrai lived here during the construction of the city. This temple houses two important and venerated Buddha figures, the marble Phra Sila and the crystal Phra Satang Man.

This is the oldest temple in the Chiang Mai, built in 1296 at the time of the city's founding. The temple served as the residence of Chiang Mai's founder, King Mengrai, for a time. The buildings are finely decorated in red lacquer, gold leaf and mosaics of tinted mirror, wonderful examples of Lanna style architecture. Wat Chiang Man is located on Ratchaphakhinai Road, near the Chang Puak gate in the northern part of the old city.
Open: daily, 06.00 to 17.00
Admission: free
清曼寺（Wat Chiang Man）是清迈最古老的佛寺，由建造清迈城的国王于1296年下令修建。“寺内供奉了两尊珍贵的佛像，一是大理石佛像，据称有2500年的历史，佛像很小，大约只有20多厘米高；另一尊是水晶佛像，大约也只有10厘米高，据称是1800年前来自拉布里（Lopburi，大城的陪都）。这座水晶佛像也是反复被泰国、老挝争夺过好几次，由于具有求雨的神力，每年四月初雨季开始时，就会被请出巡视清迈各处。这两尊佛像都被收藏在大殿右侧的玻璃柜内，展示的是复制品，真的佛像被保存在内部。”

Wat Chet Yod

Rahu? YES!

Ordination in progress..

Wondering what's the stick about?

It's a symbolic sticks of support for the "BO" trees, to make merit. It's seen in almost all temple in chiangmai.

Chiangmai Holy 9 Temple 2nd Stop~ Wat Chet Yod

Temple with the 7 Spires

Wat Jet Yod (Chet Yot) On the superhighway north of the city you will find the unusual Wat Jet Yod, built in the 15th century to host the 8th World Buddhist Council. The name of the temple translates to temple of the seven spires, a reference to the very uncommon design of the temple's chedi.
Instead of the normal design, Wat Jet Yod's chedi has a square base topped by seven towers. The design is based on the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya, India, site of the Buddha's enlightenment. Today this temple doesn't see too many visitors but does feature some intriguing bas-reliefs.

柴尤寺（Wat Chet Yot）很像一个小公园的柴尤寺是提洛卡拉王(King Tilokara或Tilokaraja) 于西元1455年开始建造的，寺里最重要的就是一座头上顶着7个塔的大殿，这座塔的形式可能是 抄袭缅甸蒲干(Pagan的)玛哈包地寺 (Mahabodhi) 与巴嘎亚(Bodhgaya) 印度寺庙的形式。柴尤寺中还有一株老菩提树， 就在七峰塔的后方，被围着许多黄巾，据说是提洛卡拉王为了召开那次佛教大会，特别请高僧自锡兰释迦牟尼禅定的那株菩提树移来一枝，若是真的，至今以522年了。广大的草地与树荫，加上散落在其间的7尊各式佛像，好象一个佛像公园。草地上7尊各式姿势的佛像叙述了释迦牟尼禅定前身的一些姿势，别担心看不懂泰文，泰文看板的背面就是英文看板，解说佛像的姿势与释迦牟尼做此姿势的故事。

Pic ~ Wat Doi Suthep

A long walk~~ 309 steps....


Pinum(left) and Pi Long(right)our guide from Wat Don chan. Really grateful to kruba Anan


Wax statue of Kruba Srivichai

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wat_Doi_Suthep

Chiangmai Visiting of the Holy 9 Temple~ Wat Doi Suthep

Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, the city's most famous temple, stands on Doi Suthep, a hill to the north-west of the city.

This temple dates from 1383. By tradition, its site was chosen by placing a relic of the Lord Buddha on an elephant's back and letting it roam until it trumpeted, then circled and died. The temple's location provides superb views on a clear day.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is an impressive embodiment of the Lanna (northern Thai) culture and is a symbol deeply cherished by the people of Chiang Mai. The temple's origins date back almost seven hundred years, to 1382 and the legend surrounding the founding of the temple is one of those mysteries of Asia that draw so many visitors to this enchanted land.

Over three hundred steps lead from the parking area to the temple grounds, a staircase bordered by the longest naga (water serpent) balustrade in Thailand. Nagas are sacred water serpents which bring good luck as well as bridging the earth and sky.If the climb sounds like no fun, then simply ride to the top in one of the newly rebuilt cable cars (admission: 50 baht).
Once you've reached the top there's plenty to see at the temple. Of course, the golden Chedi dominates the area with its gilded, 24 meter (79 foot) tall bulk. Ceremonial parasols were added at the four corners of the Chedi in the 16th century and pilgrims make merit by sticking gold leaf to the parasol shafts. At the rear of the temple a long promenade provides a spectacular view; the city spreads out below, bisected by the ribbon of the Ping River.

Chiang Mai Day 1 ( 24.04.2010) Wat Don Chan

Kruba Anan!

Building in progress, the University of the temple

One of the classroom. Student waiting for their test result.

Campus/hostel

Chiangmai! Finally~~ After so many years, dwelling so much to be here, I've step on this beautiful land. After checking into the hotel and had our lunch, we took the tuk tuk to Wat Don Chan.

I thought we are the only one who will be excited to see Kruba Anan, to my surprised, he remembered us. He knew that we are from Singapore and where we came from. We had a good chat ( thou chicken & duck talk) thru hand gesture and not so fluent english interpretation. Understand that he missed some of our friends like (To**, Ran**& Fran***, he really named them) and he was asking me why they are not coming to his temple? Well, i just told him they were too busy.. well, you know businessmen, not like us commoner... Anyway, you know who you are.

We were told by Archan there were 700+ boys/girls, 20 teachers and about 8 monks compared to 3years ago. Not only they have school for the younger kids, they are now building a U campus. The compound is bigger now and the kids are happier too.

Happy Vesak Day!

Stories of Buddha

PRINCE SIDDHATTHA’S BIRTH
Queen Mahamaya, a wife of King Suddhodana of Kapilavatthu gave birth to prince Siddhattha, the Buddha-to-be, at Lumbini Park, on the Vishahka’s Full Noon Day (the sixth lunar month), 80 years before the Buddhist Era (623B.C)

ON ROYAL PARK VISIT
Prince Siddhattha (the Buddha-to-be) came across the Four Sights on his trip outside the palace: (1) an old man, (2) a sick man, (3) a dead man and (4) a wandering monk, which made him weary of conditioned things. Upon seeing these four sights, he was inspired to go forth in the Great Renunciation

THE GREAT RENUNCIATION
Returning from the last visit and learning that Yasodhara, his wife had given birth to a son named Rahula, the Prince, the 29 years old Prince cut off his hair with a sword and began an ascetic life in search of spiritual freedom from suffering

THE PRACTICE OF AUSTERITIES
The Bodhisatta, first approached some ascetics to learn their theories and practices, but was dissatisfied with them. He, then, tried by himself to discover the best way to liberation by practicing several austerities such as fasting and self mortification by with the group of Five Companions in attendance nearby.

THE MIDDLE WAY
The Bodhistta, having undergone for six years these austerities, realized that self-mortification is not the right way to enlightenment. He, then, gave it up and started the practice of Mental Development known as “the Noble Eight fold Path” or the Middle Way.

THE ENLIGHTENMENT
The Bodhisatta at the age of 35 through the Middle Way attained Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree in Bodhagaya, India, at the dawn of the Visakha’s Full Moon Day. Thereafter, he became known as the Buddha, the Enlightened One or the Awakened One.

PREACHING THE FIRST SERMON
After two months, the First Sermon was delivered to the group of Five Ascetics at Isipatana, The Deer Park Varanasi. The principles of the Sermon were based on the Four Noble Truths: Suffering, It’s Causes, its Cessation and the Path leading to Cassation of suffering. This is known as “ The Turning of the Wheel of truth”.

THE GREAT LEADER OF 1,000 ASCETICS
At Uruvela, there were three renowned religious teachers known as “Matted Hair Ascetics”. The elder was called Kassapa having a following of 1,000 ascetics. After hearing the Buddha’s teachings, they all joined the order. When the Buddha met King Bimbisara of Rajagaha, the king and his royal retinue doubted his teachings. To eliminate their doubts, Ven Uruvela Kassapa declared himself “ the follower of the Buddha”.

THE HEART TEACHING OF THE BUDDHA
On the Magha’s Full Moon Day, nine months after his Enlightenment, the Buddha gave his most significant teachings known as “ Ovadapatimokkha”, (the Principle Teachings) to 1,250 Holy Noble Monks who assembled themselves without a prior appointment at Veluvanaram, Rajagaha.

THE GREAT COUPLE DISCIPLES
Sariputta and Moggallana, the two beloved friends of Rajagaha, along with their 250 followers approached the Buddha and asked for ordination. Later on, they both became the most well known chief disciples of the Buddha in propagating his teachings.

THE ALLOWANCE OF BIKKHUNI SANGHA
The Buddha allowed and accepted Queen Maha Pajapati, his aunt and step-mother into the Order of Bukkhuni (Buddhist nuns) along with her 500 Royal women the opportunity to experience the highest wisdom in life

THE LAST DISCIPLE
On his death bed at Kusinara, the Buddha, as his last gift, ordained Subhadda, the Wanderer, who came seeking spiritual guidance. He was the last monk who was ordained by the Buddha.

PASSING AWAY
Having preached to his last disciple, Subhadda, the Buddha passed away into Parinirvana (perfect Extinction) on the Visakha’s Full Moon Night at Salavanodayana. The Malla’s Garden one year before the Buddhist Era(543 B.C) at the age of 80. Parinirvana (Parinibbana) means “Utter or Final Nirvana” the ‘Total Letting Go’ at the moment of death of a Fully enlightened Being ( a Buddha or Arahant).

Looking forward for my Chiang Mai trip in Mid April

I'm actually very much looking forward for this Chiangmai Trip as it's alway in my mind that I want to go to this beautiful place to visit Wat Don Chan and Wat doi Suthep.

Had been VERY sick lately... more than 2 weeks still no good.. pray hard that by next week i'll be fully recover so that i can enjoy myself at chiang mai visiting the 9 holy temple as well as the orphange.

For now... no more input for the time being as I need to rest.. and pray hard...

p.s Oh ya, btw I've had my reunion dinner with BIG BOSS last wednesday. Went to HQ, clean the place and prepare 8 items for HIM. Very emotional day cos not known when will be the next time to see HIM again... that place brought back lots of memories... Good or BAD...

"啦壺天神"

Wat Srisa Thong วัดศีรษะทอง
Petchkasem road Tambon, Huaytako, Amphoe Nakornchaisri, Nakorn Pathom.

最方便包車去.. 由曼谷市中心去.... 車程45分鐘左右...

星期一, 二, 四, 五 09:00-17:00

星期三 09:00-21:00

星期六, 日 08:00 - 18:00

给有需要的人！

布施

佛開示即使是窮人也能給予的七種布施，值得我們身體力行！

有一人向佛陀訴苦：「我不管做什麼事都會失敗，這是為什麼？」
佛說：「因你從不布施！」
那人答說：「可我是一無所有的窮人！」
佛陀開示：「不對！即使你沒有財富，也可以給人七種布施！」
一為和顏施：對於別人給予和顏悅色的布施。
二為言施：向人說好話的布施，存好心做好事做好人說好話，並勉人切實力行。
三為心施：為對方設想的心，體貼眾生的心的布施。
四為眼施：用慈愛和氣的眼神看人。
五為身施：身體力行幫助別人。
六為座施：讓座給需要的人的布施。
七為察施：不用問對方就能察覺對方的心，並給予相對其所需的方便的布施。

如果你能身體力行此七項布施，生命也會跟著有所改變！

以上小故事雖然並不是真正佛陀親口宣說的， 但是原則上符合佛法 也是這篇開運法的真正重點 百日施之後 可以千日施 或終生施 每一個生活的細節用心都可以拿來佈施 那麼運勢便不可能不好。

願同享之 !!

Dream

Dreamt of BIG BOSS last week, in the dream there's also Ron ( busy cooking), others,  ray & myself, HQ don't look familiar anymore, some changes took place, can't really recall what's the changes, all i can see is it's no longer look like a temple anymore. BIG BOSS said " Come back for reunion dinner!" Ha, New year is over, why is it so that he is asking us to go back for dinner? Oh ya, I've realised I've not been there for a while, not even during chinese new year. So I went down last wednesday with some offerings, the door was locked, with only notice stating that they will be close till further notice. I can only stand outside the door and pray to him, telling him I'm back and i took all the offering home. Wondering if they will be opening this week, because it's also the 地主 Birthday, wished i can be there.

土地公

「灵界有一种很奇怪的现象，是人们先要求「灵来」的石头，本来没有灵的，是人先拜石头，石头才有灵，树木本来是没有灵的，是人先拜树木，树木才有灵气，而土地公也是一样，人先拜土地公，土地公才感召而来，庙有大小，有庄严有不庄严，然而感召的道理是一样的。一个完全不信的人，灵界的灵，因无感召，也不会主动去亲近他，反之，一个相信神灵的人，他的感应会愈来愈多，因为愈有感召，灵便会亲近的缘故。

灵界有高有低，有些灵力高，有些灵力低，土地公的灵力不高，所以侧身在不庄严的小庙，而石头、树木、山川、苗稼都是精灵之类，这些灵都不一定害人，有些也是帮助人的，像土地公就是一种助人的灵。

有人传说，土地公可以帮助人家发财，说大富人家的家门，总有好几位白胡子的老公公，日夜搬金银珠宝入门。你若尊敬土地公，土地公也会帮助你，总会让你的运气好些，无病无痛。多福多寿。

每个人都有每一个人的灵性，这灵性若和东方的土地公灵性相合，就拜东方的土地公，得帮助。
依生肖说明如下：

属鼠之人：宜拜东南方的土地公。

属牛之人：宜拜东南方的土地公。

属虎之人：宜拜正南方的土地公。

属兔之人：宜拜西南方的土地公。

属龙之人：宜拜西南方的土地公。

属蛇之人：宜拜正西方的土地公。

属马之人：宜拜西北方的土地公。

属羊之人：宜拜西北方的土地公。

属猴之人：宜拜正北方的土地公。

属鸡之人：宜拜东北方的土地公。

属狗之人：宜拜东北方的土地公。

属猪之人：宜拜正东方的土地公。

若五路财神，人人皆可拜之无方位之限制。

假如没有土地公庙，祇要朝自己适合的方向，很虔诚合掌拜拜，或以香、花、水果、糖祭之均可，一般来说低灵之神，最好供奉鸡肉、鸭肉、猪肉、鱼为佳，其次饭菜供奉亦可。

土地公虽是小神小灵，但确实能帮助人，尤其农历初二及农历六日祭拜更好现中秋节将来临感应特强若依生肖方向之土地公祈求甚为有益。

The White Tiger Deity

In the Chinese lunar calendar, there are 24 divisions to a solar year. The "Awakening of Insects Day" happen to be in the 2nd division following directly after the Spring season. Due to climatic changes from Winter to Spring, thereby awaken insects from their winter sleep. Therefore it is called "Awakening of Insects", Chinese people believes this is the time the "White Tiger" will open its ferocious mouth to feast after a long hibernation during Winter.

Believers will gather at a temple and pray to the Tiger deity with a set of joss paper, incense, candles and food. Offerings include lard, duck eggs, sesame seeds and green beans are also offered to get rid of vile persons gossips.. They will place a small piece of lard into the Tiger deity mouth as a symbolic ritual of appeasing the Tiger deity not to stir up any trouble which includes bloodshed caused by accidents, major surgery, and calamities.

The Tiger deity is a very powerful deity believes that it can confers protections to worshippers and also help them get rid of vile persons, which may be your friends, colleagues or even your subordinate. That may slander, backstab, and giving you a hard time, especially these climbing the corporate ladder this may affect your chance of getting promoted.

Usually a set of joss paper is prepared in advance for worshipping the Tiger deity.

Meaningful Morning

She was showing us the name card of the doctor who will be performing the surgery for her

Trying to fix up her door....

If anyone who has watched the mediacorp show 22/2 last monday " Life Transformer 2" 心情大动员" then you will know who is that " Ang Po Po". Just in case u didn't watch it. Ah ma is 80+ this years, she has a tumour on her face which was cancerous ( latest update when i visited her this morning she will go for her surgery soon, the doc will do it after some reviews, dates not fixed yet, but will sure remove it). She has 2 daughters & 1son ( elder daughter got kidney failure, 2 daughter not very intelligent, son got diabetes and can see one whole basket of medication on the floor). They live without light for 15years( thanks to her daughter, set fire on the light, no$ to fix so rely on the lights from corridor, even it's fixed now, she told me "don't want to use lah, heart pain the bills, can use the light from outside to read). Despite all these she is really one who never gives up. She has this antique dictionary which she uses it when she can't understand the words, Thumbs up! Ah ma).

The show feature that when one of the host found a packet of rocks liked rice in the fridge, she ask her permission to throw away and that's when ah ma say " Don't throw, i've kept it for ONE YEARS already, can still eat. just soak in water then can cook and eat, i've taken alot already" this is how ah ma survive all these years... she will "stew" one whole pot of veggie using the chicken from neighbour and eat it for 2 months". It's been years since she last had fish and when ask if she is craving for fish her replies " no no no, i don't want to think about it. It's sad when i think and can't have it, then i'll die with regrets, i don't want to have regrets in life when i'm gone".

This is a really touching series and it's real, not just a SHOW. It really shows us there are alot of unfortunate families who needs help in Singapore, ok let's not talk about why govtment is not helping blah.... As a singaporean and as a human being, when we see people out there suffered, all we wants is to help as much as we can, even if it's only minimal we can do, but at least we help. We all have everything, but we still complains. We alway said people from other country so poor thing, needs help, come on, we fellow s'porean needs help too, don't just bring money out of Singapore, use it in a better way to help fellow countrymen!
做人真的要知足，也要懂得把心放开，那样在大的困难与挫折都不会把我们打倒！母爱的伟大让这位老婆婆到了一把年纪了还要替孩子们操心，心里面永远最放不下他们，再大的痛苦，身体的痛楚都阻止不了她想要照顾他们的心。原本应该是让孩子照顾的时候却没有享福过，问她可曾后悔，她说这是命。。。。我说。。。这是母爱。。。这是人性。。