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Place of peace

A Thai monk who is here to aid the staff of a Palm River temple finds that while things are different in America, his life remains full.

By S.I. ROSENBAUM Times Staff Writer
Published September 21, 2007

Venerable Prakhu Videtsutakhul goes to the temple to lead chanting and meditation during morning prayer at the Wat Mongkolratanaram temple. Audio slideshow
	[Skip O'Rourke | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Skip O"Rourke | Times] Sandals rest outside the temple dorm and office complex. [Skip O"Rourke | Times] Dedicated earlier this year, the temple features ornate decorations on the roof. Audio slideshow

Suphachai Thongsa sits in the center of the line of monks. Above him, the Buddha looks down at him, a smile curving his golden lips. The rising sun casts squares of light on the ceiling.

It is a morning like every morning of Thongsa's adult life. He is 29.

He takes a deep breath and starts to chant in Pali, an ancient liturgical language related to Hindu, Latin and English:

We greet him, the blessed One ... the dharma, the noble doctrine, is well preached by the Blessed One...

His voice blends with those of the fellow monks on either side of him. The words are thousands of years old, and Thongsa knows them by heart. His surroundings are almost brand new. The monks dedicated their temple, Wat Mongkolratanaram, earlier this year.

All Thai men become monks temporarily on their 20th birthday, as a way of bringing merit to their families. But growing up in northeast Thailand, Thongsa was drawn to immerse himself deeper in Buddhism, he said.

He began his training at age 12 and became a monk at 19.

To be a monk means to pledge your life to a higher standard. Regular Thai Buddhists must observe five precepts similar to the Ten Commandments: Do not kill, do not steal, do not lie.

Monks have 227 precepts to observe. They don't dance. They don't listen to music. Unless there is an emergency, they do not run. They must carry themselves with dignity. They cannot own anything beyond the basic necessities of life, and even those must be given to them as charity.

... He who has attained the truth, Thongsa chants, far from defilements, perfectly enlightened by himself, fully possessed of wisdom and excellent conduct, one who has proceeded by the Good Way, knower of worlds ...

When Thongsa came to America to help staff the Palm River temple, he was warned by Thai custom officers that things would be different here.

Here he would not have the privilege of going to the front of every line. Storekeepers would not wait on him before other customers. People would not ask him for blessings in the street.

Instead, when volunteers drive him and the other monks to an American restaurant -the monks are forbidden to drive -they must wait for a table like everyone else.

At first it shocked him. Now he's used to it.

Sometimes, when he ventures outside the temple grounds, Americans approach him to ask about the orange robes.

Why are they orange?

Thongsa has no good answer. It's traditional; it sets them apart.

Does he know kung fu?

He shakes his head and laughs, quietly.

Does he want to know about Jesus?

Of course, Thongsa says. He wants to know about all religions. On Christmas, the monks give presents of Thai treats to the pastor of the church across the street.

We having heard the dharma, know this: Birth is suffering. Decay is suffering. Death is suffering.

Thongsa misses his parents.

He calls them every week.

His life is full: chanting and meditation in the morning and evenings, paperwork and household chores in the afternoon. He has been here four years, and in another year his tour will be over and he'll go home. Another monk will come to take his place.

May I be happy. May I avoid all suffering. May I avoid dangers and wrongdoing.... May I avoid seeking revenge. May I avoid sickness. May I have good health and peace of mind.

The chant ceases. Thongsa and the other monks adjust their positions, fold their hands in their laps. They close their eyes. A small timer counts down the time they will spend meditating. The sun slides down the red temple wall.

Every morning will be the same.

S.I. Rosenbaum can be reached at 661-2442 or srosenbaum@sptimes.com.

Open house

The temple, which has an open house from 1-2 p.m. Sundays, is at 5306 Palm River Road, Tampa.

[Last modified September 20, 2007, 07:59:09]