Moving on

With the introductory aid of Ajahn Tepporn, a KKU Buddhist philosophy professor, I am preparing for a long day of interviewing monks at Mahachulalongkorn University's branch in Khon Kaen with the aid of a translator and my trusty (perhaps rusty) camera. Many of the monks I have talked to to arrange this meeting are Lao nationals, which sheds an interesting light on my socioeconomic inquiries of the institutional practice.

Although the tempo of life here is relaxed, I cannot believed how fast time has passed. I have been frustrated by the inconsistency of some inquiries, and the cultural inclination of the Thais to skirt more sensitive issues with a smile and a verbal wink is hard to navigate. As an unwitting American, risk of offense is something to be feared, but transgression may not be overtly indicated.

Especially in the case of monks, some of the questions I hope to pose may be perceived as a questioning of their faith and motives, so tactfulness will be key. The attitude of some of the monks and villagers I have talked to makes me understand the inconsistency of the local practice, complicated by the itinerance of individual monks. Although stories of abuse of authority within the monastic order are rampant, the advantages of the position can also be exploited for positive purposes as well. There is a definite understanding that all monks are not created equal, although the rituals are uniform.