– a wooden footbridge with a partial roof.
Their acreage does not yet have any sort of
traditional building, but meditation platforms dot the
walkway that runs through the property. Some are
simple raised wooden structures with no walls, while
others have three walls and mosquito netting to
protect their inhabitants.
Inside the house Thiep sits on a raised meditation
bench that runs along the side of the wall. Behind him
is a tapestry of Yama, the Lord of Death, who
symbolizes the impermanence of everything in this
human life. The beings he holds are trapped in eternal
suffering by their ignorance of the nature of the
universe. The outer ring shows 12 segments called
Nidanas, showing the Buddhist teaching of dependent
origination, or the chain of causes of suffering. The
next ring is composed of six segments showing the
six realms – Gods, humans and Titans – and hungry
ghosts and animals. The tapestry continues in inward
circles that are smaller and smaller, with the middle
of the wheel being the Three Fires of Greed,
Ignorance and Hatred represented by a pig, a rooster
and a snake. The wheel itself is a circle, symbolizing
the endless cycle of existence and suffering.
It is important to know a few things prior to visiting
the monks. First, be sure to wear clean socks because
you will be asked to take off your shoes prior to
entering the house. Appropriate clothes include
modest long pants and shirts that are not cropped
or sleeveless, and no hats or sunglasses. When you
come into the room where the monks are, you can
slightly bow three times (the first for The Buddha, the
second for Buddhism and the third for the monk),
then sit on the floor (or in a chair if need be) so as
not to be higher than the monk himself. Never touch
any of the Buddha statuary in the room or the monk
himself, and that includes shaking hands. Do not point;
merely use your right hand with the palm facing
upward to indicate something. Also, women do not
touch monks and are traditionally not supposed to
be in a room alone with them, so keep that in mind
as well.
It is customary to bring a small offering to the
spirits, and to show respect for the monk, but not
necessary if you are new to the Monastery. It can be
anything from a flower or incense to food or money
(try to give an amount which ends with the number
9).
Always ask before taking any photographs and
never take pictures during a ceremony.
Thiep is a very laidback, easy to talk to Monk. He
64GASPARILLA ISLAND May/June 2018
Above, the rental
home used by the
Monastery. At right
are two of the
meditation
platforms that are
set up in the
woods. Some are
simple wooden
platforms while
others have tents
and mosquito
netting for
overnight stays.
considers himself to “still be learning” about
Buddhism; many feel the same. He came from
Thailand to the United States in 1975 with a
full-ride scholarship to Bowling Green State
University in Ohio with a major in computer
sciences.
“I was born on the bank of the Mekong River,
and am the eldest of 13,” he said. “Three of us
live in the United States, the rest still live in
Thailand.”
He is the only one to pursue monkhood out
of his family. His parents were farmers, but his
father sent him to Laos to receive an education.
He actually came to this country as a Laotian
student.
When he began on his path to enlightenment
he was ordained a monk in Atlanta, then went to
a North Carolina monastery. From there he went
back and forth from Thailand to the United States
for a time, but eventually ended up back in North
Carolina. When he heard about the need that