Ufo Like temple Wat Dhhamakaya (World's Largest) From the Air

The world's largest Buddhist temple is located just outside Bangkok and I have written about it before on the Buddha's Face blog. As we were returning by plane from Hat Yai we flew near to the temple so I took this opportunity to film it through the window of the plane. What a contrast it is to the secret jungle temple we had just visited and the feelings invoked. Less is more often in life and in the case of Buddhist temples bigger is not necessarily better.

"In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be true." Buddha

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WARNING - GRAPHIC CONTENT :Self Immolation - the Vietnamese Buddhist Monk who set himself on fire

WARNING - VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT

I thought long and hard before posting this as the video is so shocking - but if one person who sees it ask why a Vietnamese monk would do this back in 1963 - what was he protesting about and why did it matter so much he would take his own life in such a way then it was worth it.

We live in an often cruel and capricious world where money and power are the drivers of economies and the people who lead them. Small nations can get caught up as hyper powers seek to exert their influence and take part in what seems to be an almost timeless battle for resources and control . I firmly believe that most people are good and want only a meaningful and stable life for themselves, their friends their families and the wider world. Sadly whilst these values can prevail at a local level - those that seek and exercise power are such that often this world is not possible. That is why the message of the Buddha a Prince who abandoned worldly power to seek truth and his message of compassion is just as important today as it was 2,500 years ago.

Vietnam - the last Battle - by John Pilger

Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.

Buddha

Read more about this remarkable man in the Wikipedia entry on Thích Quảng Đức.

The Buddha's Face

Incredible Video - Flying Monks of Bangkok !

From floating nuns to flying monks. The Buddha’s Face blog keeps to its remit of bringing you the weird , strange , crazy and I hope sometimes inspiring images, videos and information about the world’s most meditative and peaceful religion - Buddhism. Buddhism is the state religion of Thailand and monks sometimes just like the rest of us need to use planes.

In fact monks in their saffron robes can often be upgraded by Thai airways – such is the reverence of Thai people for those that have abandoned worldly pleasures !

In the following video we can see a large procession of monks at Bangkok’s International Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) getting ready to do I know not what!

"Chaos is inherent in all compounded things. Strive on with diligence." Buddha

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The Floating Buddhist Nun of Kanchanaburi - Thailand

Wat Tham Mangkin Thong near Kanchanaburi ,Thailand is famous for the floating nun. She is not the original, but this Buddhist temple show still packs in the tourist buses! Her predecessor began the temple’s tradition of meditating whilst floating on her back. The original nun has now died and her successor has carried on the tradition.

However she does not meditate – but strikes Buddha-statue like poses in a large pool of water, much to the amusement of the tourists. The charge to watch is 10 baht (about 20p and there needs to be a minimum of 10 spectators for her to do the show).T he funds bring in money for the upkeep of the temple and provides another distraction for tourists seeking ‘Amazing Thailand’. It is a fascinating show which brings quiet attention form the audience which she concludes with a ‘wai’ (thank you with the hands together) to the audience.

Meditation brings wisdom; lack of mediation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.” Buddha

The Buddha's Face

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Buddhism and cats - Cute Kitten and its mother in Thai Buddhist temple

The kitten in the Thai Buddhist temple has proved very popular so in this post I’ll try to explain a bit more about Buddhism and cats.

In some Buddhist cultures cats can be regarded as holy creatures particularly so as they are perceived to be one of the more ‘mindful’ animals and have traditionally been useful in keeping down pests such as mice and rats that feed on food stores. The Birman cat - also known as the sacred cat of Burma descends from cats that were raised in Buddhist temples in Burma and the monks regarded that the souls of the departed returned to earth as a cat. Traditional folklore posited that on the death of a person if he had reached the highest level of enlightenment then their soul would return to earth for one last time as a cat and when it dies would be freed to reach nirvana. Furthermore the cat is believed to speak with Buddha in favour of its owner that is still alive. Thailand has similar beliefs and so the cat is respected highly amongst Buddhist monks and many temples will have cats that live amongst the monks and Buddha statues and images.

In this temple just outside Hat Yai the mother cat seems to be particularly friendly with one particular monk who stroked and feeds it and is allowed to eat the alms food that has been prepared by the laity for the monk. Strict Buddhism practice teaches non-attachment and the keeping of pets would be discouraged but in many temples in eastern cultures the dominance of Buddhism leads to many variances and it should also be noted that many monks may just be ordinary citizens that are serving their time as a monk so as bring merit to their families. These periods can be short as a month and so they often bring outside habits and practices into the temple.

To view all the eleven videos of the cat and her kitten in the Thai Buddhist Temple visit the playlist on our You Tube channel beautifulthailand99.

“Because he has pity on every living creature, therefore is a man called ‘holy’” Buddhism Dhammapada

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Incredibly Cute Kitten with its mum and a Thai Buddhist monk

Some more footage I took whilst on a recent holiday in Thailand at a Buddhist temple just outside Hat Yai in Southern Thailand. The temple was host to a whole pack of stray dogs who weren't allowed in the temple buildings. However cats are. In this clip my wife and family had gone to offer alms to the monks for their morning meal. Delightfully she also has a cute black new born kitten which delighted this particular monk. Was doubly delighted when this cute kitten video featured in the Guardian online as well !

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The Secret Thai Buddhist Temple deep in the Jungle – Part 3

Continued from Part 1 and Part 2.

It should also be noted the Abbott was resolutely noncommercial in his approach not seeking or being particularly interested in donations and unusually for Thailand the temple didn’t sell Buddha statues or amulets. He remarked that the area was poor and that the locals had little for themselves and so would be wrong for the temple to seek scarce resources. The temple compound also housed a homeless mother and baby and an old man who both seemed happy and very grateful to be looked after. When my wife asked if he had a bank account to where we could send donations - he said not - remarking come back here if you choose and bring whatever donation you think appropriate.

His approach and attitude were remarkable particularly for Thailand where money is often an issue. It got me thinking - is this the real thing - an Abbott who truly had followed the message of the Buddha and has gone beyond attachment – attachment to making the temple – to being a success and wanting and desiring to be a successful Abbott of a successful temple and in so doing creates a place of true spiritual presence and good feeling – faithful to the path of the Buddha.

OR - is he just broken after 40 years of trying to achieve his dream and now being old and the temple only half-built is seeing his vision fleeting away? He looked old and ill it must be said and his face appeared sad. I don’t know is the true answer but I and my family feel drawn back to explore further and experience its unique and compelling feeling once again. Of all the temples in all the world I have visited this is the only one that draws me back.

"Though all his life a fool associates with a wise man, he no more comprehends the Truth than a spoon tastes the flavour of the soup" Buddha

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The Secret Thai Buddhist Temple deep in the Jungle – Part 2

The dirt road to the temple is marked by a granite sign and is a right turn off the main road just before the turning to the National Park. The Abbott has been working on building a temple (Wat in Thai) for nearly 40 years and the main temple hall is incomplete and unfinished and houses a large golden brass Buddha statue. There are concrete posts which indicate the plans for other large structures in the vicinity.

The temple sits next to the river which carries the pure clean water from the 7 teired waterfalls. Also at the temple was a young monk and several nuns dressed in white. The nun was smiling and cheery and had come from Bangkok and spoke English quite well. She remarked that recently a monk had come and meditated under a nearby tree for 3 whole days and nights and she was assiduous in creating the small Buddha hall in which we had recently prayed - one of which was lit by a shaft of light through the roof and was extremely evocative and contributed to the calm , meditative atmosphere.

The place is very tranquil and pastoral – with chickens running around and the air is cooled and shaded by large trees. My wife and nieces had gone for a Lotus flower water blessing ceremony. The nun cut the lotus heads into small pieces and put them into a plastic pot.

The Abbott came over to sit by the three ladies who had now changed in to clothes ready for the ceremony to begin. First he chanted in Pail traditional Buddhist incantations and added the flowers to the dustbin filled with river water which he stirred and chanted over - this completed he began to pour it over the three of them who repeated his words as the ceremony unfolded.

At the end of the process which lasted for about 3 minutes they went to change their wet clothes and bottled some of the water remaining to take back to their house Buddha shrine.

The whole ceremony was starkly elemental and it must be said very moving being akin almost to a Christian baptism – the cleansing power of water and the otherworldliness adding to its spiritual impact. The surroundings with a rooster crowing and the river running by and the mother rocking her baby in a crib as the sun filtered through the leaf covering made us all stop and stare and listen.

I’ll finish this short story in the final instalment of the secret Thai temple in Part 3.

"When one has the feeling of dislike for evil, when one feels tranquil, one finds pleasure in listening to good teachings; when one has these feelings and appreciates them, one is free of fear." Buddha

The Buddha's Face

The best place to buy wholesale and retail Buddha statues,sculptures and wall panel decor for both the home and garden

Bespoke design available, from small buddha statues to large buddha wall art in colours from natural wood to gold ,all carved by our Buddhist artists and 100%fairtrade.

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The Secret Thai Buddhist Temple deep in the Jungle – Part 1

I’m very pleased to be back blogging with the Buddha’s Face blog and to announce our latest exclusive You Tube video.

This HD footage was filmed on a recent visit to Thailand with my wife. One of her nieces who lives in Hat Yai, Southern Thailand had heard from a local papaya salad seller of a beautiful and almost secret temple deep in the Thai jungle near to the famous water fall and beauty spot of on Ton Nga Chang (which is about 23km from Songkhla) who performed a unique water blessing which shortly after having had this done found her life improved considerably.

The name of the water fall means Ivory Tusk Falls. This is the largest and most beautiful waterfall in Songkhla province. Ton Nga Chang waterfall cascades down seven tiers in the area of the national park zone and in the third tier of the falls , the waters cascade down like a pair of ivory tusks and that is how it got its name, “Ton Nga Chang” means “Ivory Tusk Falls”.

The music is by Lisa Gerrard and I have added what I hope are appropriate quotes from the Buddha as an accompaniment.

I’ll describe the temple in more detail and the effect that it had on us all in Part 2 to follow shortly.

"This existence of ours is as transient as Autumn clouds. To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance. A lifetime is a flash of lightning in the sky. Rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain." Buddha

The Buddha's Face

The best place to buy wholesale and retail Buddha statues,sculptures and wall panel decor for both the home and garden

Bespoke design available, from small buddha statues to large buddha wall art in colours from natural wood to gold ,all carved by our Buddhist artists and 100%fairtrade.

Visit our Buddhism 101 Enlightenment Project

Would you like to sell on the Buddha's Face Website ?

Would You Like to Sell on The Buddha's Face Website ?

The Buddhas Face is a very successful internet site with excellent traffic of over 150 visitors a day and climbing , high quality authentic fair trade products and 100's of satisfied customers on our extensive customer database. We have an active and ongoing Search Engine Optimisation campaign which means more hits and higher google rankings and ultimately more customers.

We are currently looking for new suppliers that would like to sell compatible on our website. You may be an importer, wholesaler or already have your own retail business and want to increase your sales and take an more active part in the Buddha's Face brand. We are particularly interested in introducing a new product range and larger pieces onto our site.

To sell on our site would be on a drop ship basis only.

If you are interested and want to take part in the UK's fastest growing authentic fairtrade website then please contact the Buddha's Face founder Den on 02089416278 or 07865 074449.

The Buddha's Face

The best place to buy wholesale and retail Buddha statues,sculptures and wall panel decor for both the home and garden

Bespoke design available, from small buddha statues to large buddha wall art in colours from natural wood to gold ,all carved by our Buddhist artists and 100%fairtrade.

Visit our Buddhism 101 Enlightenment Project

Good to be back - Amazing Thailand

It's been a few months away and a lot has happened life goes on projects come and go and I have just spent an inspiring 2/12 weeks in Thailand with my wife hanging out with the family , feeling love and visiting temples. To commemorate that short but inspiring time I produced a new video for my You tube channel beautifulthailand99 - I loved making this video and I hope you enjoy watching it too. The Buddha's Face merchant site goes from strength to strength with a record number of friends visiting and buying our lovely,authentic and inspiring Buddha wall art and statues. Why not come over and see for yourself.

"What we think we become."

The Buddha

"What the world needs is not more Buddhists but more compassion"

Dalai Lama

The Buddha's Face

The best place to buy wholesale and retail Buddha statues,sculptures and wall panel decor for both the home and garden

Bespoke design available, from small buddha statues to large buddha wall art in colours from natural wood to gold ,all carved by our Buddhist artists and 100%fairtrade.

Visit our Buddhism 101 Enlightenment Project

Buddhist Hip Hop Artist - A Cultivator

It's been a little while since I last blogged as I'm busy setting up a new business Low Cost Business Videos and a Low Cost Business Videos Blog and putting into practice what I have learnt whilst helping my mate Den build the Buddha's Face website. He recently sent me an email from a Buddhist Hip Hop artist called the A Cultivator. He is using his music and lyrics to help spread Buddhism in America and through the web to the world. Apparently he is a Raiders fan (being a Brit I don't quite get the importance but its probably like being a Man Utd Fan! -never mind we all have our crosses to bear - we ourselves must walk the path). Just listening to his track It's Not Easy and he is rather good -actually very good.

Respect to the A Cultivator from the Buddha's Face - long may his Buddhist raps reach out and move people's hearts and minds. In fact he's so good I'm listening again.

You can catch the A Cultivator Buddhist Hip Hop artist over at the Skillful Methods Website.

More about his video - It's Not Easy.

The Buddha's Face

The best place to buy wholesale and retail Buddha statues,sculptures and wall panel decor for both the home and garden

Bespoke design available, from small buddha statues to large buddha wall art in colours from natural wood to gold ,all carved by our Buddhist artists and 100%fairtrade.

Visit our Buddhism 101 Enlightenment Project

30% Off Sale - ALL Buddha Wall Art - Trade Prices

Yes it's true - are prices were very affordable to begin with and the quality of our pieces has never been in doubt so there's never been a better time to buy from the Buddha's Face.But them now once they're gone they're gone.

The Buddha's Face

The best place to buy wholesale and retail Buddha statues,sculptures and wall panel decor for both the home and garden

Bespoke design available, from small buddha statues to large buddha wall art in colours from natural wood to gold ,all carved by our Buddhist artists and 100%fairtrade.

Visit our Buddhism 101 Enlightenment Project

The Last Words of the Buddha -Wordle

Just over 2,500 years ago when the Buddha lay dying surrounded by his closest monks his last words were a call to action to his followers to remember and spread his message and it wasn't him that needed to be worshipped.There are no answers except the ones that you learn for yourselves but there are a few rules which if you follow you will have a better and more insightful life. Have a nice day.

“Do not say we have no master now. The message I have preached will be your master when I have gone. Listen, I beseech you: ALL CREATIONS ARE IMPERMANENT; work tirelessly for your liberation.”

The Life of the Buddha

The Buddha's Face

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Our 250th Buddha Face Blog Post - Numbers don't matter !

I never would have thought when I launched this blog over 18 months ago I would ever see 250 posts - but as the Buddha said a jug fills drop by drop and we are beginning to fill.

Can I just share a few statistics ;

The Buddha's Face website now gets over 3500 visitors every month.

Our videos on the Buddha's Face You Tube channel have had over 90,000 views.

Our Blog has has nearly 25,000 views

Our Twitter channel over 500 tweets and over 200 followers

200 Meg of photos in our Picasa Web album and over 40,000 views

A big thank you for all your visits and kind comments and to all our wonderful customers who have made the Buddha's face website - the best site on the web for authentic Buddha wall art for your home and garden.

The Buddha's Face

The best place to buy wholesale and retail Buddha statues,sculptures and wall panel decor for both the home and garden

Bespoke design available, from small buddha statues to large buddha wall art in colours from natural wood to gold ,all carved by our Buddhist artists and 100%fairtrade.

Visit our Buddhism 101 Enlightenment Project