Forest monks in caves in Isaan Thailand.

The other day I trekked up the mountain in Isaan country I wanted to take some pictures but also stop in and see some foreign monks and hopefully have a quick chat to them.

Yes, up on the flat areas of the mountains live some foreign monks, apparently 4 of them. They live individually and in caves. The first time I came across this was my last trip and I thought my friend was pulling my leg. He showed me a cave that was empty at the time.

So this time I was hoping to be lucky and meet one of these elusive monks who usually every day or second day trek down from the mountain to collect alms from the villagers and then return to their caves. The walk for the monks is between an hour to an hour and a half depending on where their cave is.

These monks have lived here for a long time and I cannot get an exact date but villagers say more then 15 years. I was stunned that someone would live like this, I had heard of forest dwelling monks but I didn’t think of it was like this.

If you look at this picture, above it just looks as if someone has made a bad attempt of making a bamboo fence. You simply move the bamboo and walk in and up a small rise and there is the cave. We called out for the monk but there was no answer. The ladies headed on in so I followed.

And there is the cave; it isn’t big and very simply set up. You can see above the entrance a Buddha statue.

If you look through the bamboo you can see a pond of sorts. I thought that maybe it was to keep live fish but I couldn’t see any and didn’t get close enough to see.

In the cave he has a table like piece of furniture that he would use to sit on and also sleep. Above the table are more Buddha images.

What seemed a little out of place an hour and 20 minutes up the mountain were these 3 water tanks and the small iron roof that obviously catches the rain water and funnels it into the tanks. Now I asked how they would have got these tanks and also other stuff up here as there is no access by car, Noot suggested a helicopter and I would have to agree as there is no way you could lug these things up the mountain.

The ladies refilled our water bottle from the tanks and then we were on our way again, at no time did I or anyone else, enter or go near the monks living quarters. I was disappointed to miss meeting the monk and the other cave we checked was empty. Apparently they have many caves scattered about the place and move depending on the season.

I want to trek to the furthest cave, over a 2 hour walk I am told. I cannot imagine living like this for so long, I mean very little contact with people only when collecting alms or travelling to temples on special occasions.

Then again this is what being a monk is really about, living life in its simplest and purest form, no attachments or distractions. When I see some of the younger city monks with digital cameras and camcorders, MP3 and so forth I get a little jaded as I am sure that Buddha said that when monks enter this life they are to give everything up, live by the 227 rules or precepts. This is a great article from Buddhanet on a guideline for lay people understanding monks rules. I see many if the precepts broken everyday by younger monks in my daily travels.

Brunty