The ordination of a guru (a chance for Bo & Makam to gain merit)
I have to admit that I don't deserve to be called a particularly Buddhist person, I eat meat & I drink alcohol, I sometimes think nasty thoughts (though I rarely act on them) and my ego is so large that I start a blog about Buddhism with a paragraph about myself. That said I am on the whole quite honest and though I'm sure my love of earthly pleasures has damaged my karma (the imported beer drinking, three litre 4WD pick-up driver who refuses a plastic bag at 7-11 & takes cold showers to 'save the world') I get the concept and understand that me travelling beyond the pale should not stand in the way of those, particularly our elephants and mahouts, that wish to continue their journey.
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Therefore we have a policy in camp that our elephants are available for any religious ceremony (& in the old days many Buddhist ceremonies required an elephant's soul to be present - something that faded with the availability of elephants) as long as the elephants and the mahouts get something out of it.
So it was that when long time elephant camp friend K. Joy Sopitpongstorn mentioned that she was organising a Buddhist ordination ceremony in the North of Thailand my instant response was that the elephants would be glad to join, it was only later that she explained the further significance of the event.
On the 7th of the 7th 2010 renowned healer and lifestyle guru Deepak Chopra began what he describes as his monkhood journey at Wat Sri Rom Yen in Northern Thailand, he was joined by K. Joy's brother K. Jate, both were carried to the temple by Makam and Bo, a sacred duty under any circumstances, one that we are proud and honoured to have undertaken.
K. Joy graciously invited us to come along and witness the events, what follow are photographs from the elephant camp side of the story, the main event will be made into an inspirational movie for Mr Chopra's millions of followers.
....the elephants & mahouts went up the night before, we got there in time for breakfast....
....the mahouts & elephants camped with what must be one of the best views in Northern Thailand...
...the Yeng Chang (elephant saddles) are decorated and blessed before undertaking their sacred duty...
...as the film crews look on the first part of the day's ceremony begins with family and close friends beginning the haircutting...
...once shaved and under the watchful gaze of the monks lay folks are invited to pour water onto the novices and convey their blessings...
.....meanwhile, in the forest above the temple, Bo & Makam patiently await their turn....
...when the time comes dressing for the parade must be done quickly...
...decoration in the wind...
...two elephants, four mahouts, dressed up and ready for the parade, salute the flag...
...after the parade Mr Chopra and K. Jate thank their elephants and confer blessings...
...and the elephants head home.
Posted by John Roberts at Fri, 09 Jul 2010 08:05:00 GMT 
Categories: Golden Triangle Elephants, Public Service Broadcast
Tags: Deepak Chopra ordination Buddhist monk elephant parade
Categories: Golden Triangle Elephants, Public Service Broadcast
Tags: Deepak Chopra ordination Buddhist monk elephant parade
I don't know why, but I felt touched by reading this post. I felt like crying, but tears of joy. Ever since leaving Thailand, I feel as though I have left a part of my heart there, especially when I think back on the Buddhist teachings that were shared with us.
Thank you for allowing us to reconnect!
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