Prior to visiting Thailand, my understanding of Buddhist
culture and tradition was blurry. I had perceived it as being solely a religion,
but couldn’t seem to wrap my head around why a religion would place such a
strong emphasis on human suffering. Yet, it has only taken me a week after
being in this beautiful and friendly country to create a more positive shift in
my understanding of Buddhism. I have come to see it as more than just religion,
but more of a unique philosophy or ‘way of life’. The Buddhist path to
happiness involves one’s desire to lead a moral life, to be mindful and aware
of thoughts and actions, and to develop wisdom and understanding. I think that the most
interesting facet of Buddhism is that it does not require blind faith. For
example, it can be applicable to all kinds of people around the world without
any need to change one’s beliefs. The teachings of Buddhism are verifiable here
and now through direct personal experience.
The most enticing journey of my trip so far was visiting Wat
Tham Krabok, a Monastery Drug Treatment and rehabilitation Center. It is unlike
any other treatment center in the Western world and although most participants
are Thais, I learned that a growing proportion of addicts are middle-class
Eastern Europeans who have relapsed after less rigid treatments back at their
homes. Wat That Krabok entails a rigorous detoxification program which includes
Buddhist meditation, herbal supplements for relaxation, steam-bathing for
physical purification, and induced vomiting.I found the distinction between treatment at Wat Tham Krabok incredibly unique compared to treatment in the Western world. In fact, I have come to the conclusion that Western treatment can improve its effectiveness if it adapts a simple Buddhist concept; that is, finding a strong sense of devotion and will-power within ourselves. Many people in America often walk into treatment with the belief that all it takes is a therapist to help them and cure their evils. This becomes troubling because I was told directly by a Buddhist monk that 95% of a patient’s success is weighted on their own devotion and power and only 5% on the helper. Patients at Wat Tham Krabok undergo a cold withdrawal and are much more challenged than patients in Western America. They seem to follow a path that leads them to build up their own will-power, something I think many Americans are lacking.
At Wat That Krabok, I was given a basic understanding of how
Buddhism entails different levels of devotion. For example, a novice is a young
boy training to become a monk and must follow ten precepts. To clarify,
precepts are self-imposed rules or disciplines. Once a novice becomes a monk,
he can be referred to as a “true Buddhist” who lives in the temples and must
follow a total of 227 precepts. Monks to me are characteristic of a therapist
in that they help guide Buddhist lay followers. Lay people live outside the
monastery walls and although they follow Buddhism they have not been ordained.
They follow the following five precepts: do not kill, do not steal, do not
indulge in sexual misconduct, do not make false speech, and do not take
intoxicants. A Buddhist nun teaches and performs rituals just like her male
counterpart, the Buddhist Monk, but instead has a total of 311 precepts.
Although I am awed with the amount of new knowledge I have
gained from visiting Wat That Krabok, the
opportunity to actually speak with individuals such as a monk, a nun, and even
multiple drug addicts was a beyond fascinating experience. I found that one can
find peace within themselves whether or not they choose to fully conform to
Buddhism, or only follow certain customs and traditions. I had a very
meaningful experience with one drug addict in particular. He was a middle-aged
man from France who had a cocaine addiction. His addiction wasn’t incredibly
severe, but he mentioned that he came to Wat Tham Krabok in efforts to save his
life and become a better father for his two-year old daughter. He quoted,
"I’ve never been a religious person, and I probably never will be, but I
will continue to adhere to the five precepts of a Buddhist lay person” He
planned to stay at Wat Tham Krabok for an extra week after detoxification for
more time to clear his mind and erase all of his demons through meditation, herbal
supplements, and steam baths. Through both his voice and physical presence, I
could see his tremendous determination to overcome his addiction which was
really inspiring. I also conversed with a nun who had one really interesting perception.
She quoted, “The world outside of Wat That Krabok isn’t reality…inside of Wat
That Krabok isn’t reality either, but it’s closer to it.” I’m still trying to make
sense of this, but I think she was emphasizing the materialistic aspect of most
societies today. For example, humans aren’t satisfied with the life God has
created them and constantly strive for something better. Wat That Krabok is
similar to a jail, and is not a desired way of life. Yet, the Buddhist
teachings throughout the world are more real because they allow people to
appreciate the simple things in life such as the beauty and nature that
surrounds them. Nothing is exaggerated or made up. People are pushed to focus solely
on the present day and appreciate every precious minute within it. Throughout
the remainder of my trip in Thailand, I hope to encounter more experiences in which Buddhism portrays more
stepping stones for one’s path to happiness, especially my own.
