Today’s A Journey
through Aesthetic Realms
will be presented in Thai,
with subtitles in Arabic,
Aulacese (Vietnamese),
Chinese, English,
French, German,
Hungarian, Indonesian,
Japanese, Korean,
Persian, Portuguese,
Russian, Spanish
and Thai
Welcome,
harmonious viewers,
to A Journey through
Aesthetic Realms
on Supreme Master
Television.
Today, we will visit
the glorious Kingdom
of Thailand, which
is home to 64 million
friendly citizens.
The Thai people’s
welcoming nature
is well-reflected
in the country’s
charming nickname,
“Land of Smiles.”
Located in the heart
of Southeast Asia,
Thailand shares its borders
with Myanmar (formerly
known as Burma), Laos,
Cambodia and Malaysia.
Stretching 1,600
kilometers north to south,
this tropical nation
is blessed with majestic
mountains and forests
in the north, lush plateaus
to the northeast,
the fertile Chao Phraya
river valley at the center,
and picturesque beaches
to the south.
The first Siamese
or Thai state was formed
in the 13th century.
By 1350,
King U-Thong founded the
capital city of Ayutthaya
which became a booming
international trade center
for over 400 years.
Nicknamed “Kao Muang,”
or the City of Island,
Ayutthaya was
the meeting points
of four rivers, and thus
surrounded by waterways
that carried caravan ships
from China, Japan,
India, Persia, Arab lands,
as well as
European nations.
Wise rulers over time
instituted
a constructive system
to encourage cultural
and trade activities.
At the peak of its reign,
the kingdom established
ambassador exchanges
and relationships
with faraway nations
such as France, Holland,
Germany and Portugal.
The famous
ceremonial dance of
golden and silver flowers
performed today
is a vivid depiction of
the country’s abundance
during this period.
For centuries,
the compassionate kings
of Thailand have ruled
according to the dharmic
virtues of Buddhism.
Since the 13th century,
a bell had been placed
in front of the royal palace
so that every citizen
may strike it to express
their opinions to the king.
After Bangkok
became the capital,
a drum of justice was
placed for the subjects
to voice their petition
several times a month.
In 1932,
a peaceful transition led
the country into an era of
constitutional monarchy
when King Prajadhipok
signed
the historical legislation.
Since then, the monarch
continues to be entrusted
to manage state affairs for
the benefit of the people.
The monarchic kingdom
is currently led by the
beloved King Bhumibol
Adulyadej (Rama IX),
who has been serving
the country since 1946.
As head of a population of
95% Theravada Buddhists
and close to 5% Muslims, as well as a minority of Christians and Hindus,
the highly respected king
strongly upholds religious
freedom and harmony.
As a traditional
Buddhist kingdom,
a significant aspect
of the Thai heritage
has been crafted
into its monastic as well
as imperial architectures.
Wat Thais,
or the Buddhist temples
of Thailand adopt
a customary structure
consisting of two sections.
The richly decorated
Phutthawat area is
dedicated to the Buddha;
while the Sanghawat,
which is the living quarters
for monks, are comprised
of small compartments
designed for
spiritual practice.
The imperial architectures
embody an extensive
collection of Thai arts
and craftsmanship.
Since the Ayutthaya
period, architects, artists
and poets have been
commissioned by
the kings of each dynasty.
To provide systematic
training and preserve
the intangible traditions,
the Organization
of the Ten Crafts
was established.
By the time
of King Rama V, the list
of specialties expanded to
13 professions including
drawing, paper-making,
engraving, figure-making,
modeling, plastering,
lacquering, metal beating,
turning, molding,
wood-carving, sculpting,
and carpentry.
Depicting
the ancient traditions and
pride of the Thai people,
the country’s flag
was designed by the
respected King Rama VI.
This national symbol
comprises of horizontal
red and white stripes
at the top and bottom
with a wider blue band
in the center.
The regal blue stripe
represents the monarchy,
while white is
the color for Buddhism,
and red indicates
the vibrancy of the nation.
Royal flags
of yellow and blue,
representing the King and
the Queen respectively,
with a symbol of choice
in the middle, are often
displayed concurrently
with the national flag.
With its golden flowers,
the Ratchaphruek
or Golden Shower Tree,
is chosen as the national
flower of Thailand.
From February to May
each year,
the yellow blooms,
which symbolize royalty,
brighten the land
with brilliant color.
Another symbol
of Thailand is
the regal Asian elephant.
It plays an important role
in folk culture, and these
intelligent pachyderms
are protected
as royal animals.
A nation
of peace-loving citizens,
Thailand has enjoyed
stable economic growth
over the past three decades.
A member country
of the Association of
South-East Asian Nations
(ASEAN),
Thailand has signed
free trade agreements with
China, Australia, India
and the United States.
Putting great emphasis
on agriculture,
Thailand uses about half
of her 27% of arable land
for rice production, and
exports 6.5 million tons
of the nourishing grains
annually,
making it the world’s
largest rice exporter.
Tourism also makes up
a significant part
of the economy,
with lively cities
such as Bangkok,
Chiang Mai, and Phuket.
One of the popular
attractions in Bangkok
is the floating market.
The century-old tradition
of trading
fruits and vegetables
over small boats in canals
is a truly unforgettable
and fun experience.
For adventure lovers,
Chiang Mai in the north
is a great destination
featuring bamboo rafting,
and tribal festivities
and more.
Phuket
in southern Thailand
has some of the world’s
most beautiful beaches
and mangrove habitats.
Here, visitors can take an
awe-inspiring canoe tour
to fairytale-like
coastal lime caves
and admire nature’s
miraculous formations.
In addition,
famous temples
throughout the country
are visited annually
by devoted pilgrims.
A Journey through
Aesthetic Realms
will continue our feature
on Thailand after these
informative messages.
Please stay tuned
to Supreme Master
Television.
Welcome back
to A Journey through
Aesthetic Realms
on Supreme Master
Television for today’s
visit to the beautiful
Kingdom of Thailand.
Thailand’s
rich cultural heritage
is well-preserved
and promoted
throughout the country.
The royal court
has always been
an ardent sponsor of
literature, music and dance.
King Rama I and
King Rama II contributed
to the writing of
the renowned “Ramakien,”
the Thai version
of a Hindu epic.
King Rama VII
and the current King
Bhumibol Adulyadej are
composers of jazz music.
Traditional music styles,
including “piphat,”
“khruang sai” and
“mahori,” as well as
“luk thung,” meaning
country music,
and “mor lam”
meaning folk music, are
also widely appreciated
by the Thai citizens.
The beautiful art of
Thai dance is renowned
around the world.
With elaborate costumes
and graceful movements,
dancers enthrall viewers
with their
traditional performances.
The two major forms
of Thai classical dance
drama, “khon” and
“lakon nai” have been
mostly comprised
of court dances until
the emergence of “likay,”
a version derived
for commoners.
Another popular form
of folk dance is “fawn,”
which originated
in Chiang Mai
in northern Thailand.
In addition,
many other distinct styles
of folk dances are practiced
as regional favorites.
Aside from the arts,
Thai people also maintain
their cultural tradition
of respect for elders
and warm hospitality
towards guests.
Thailand is known as one
of the friendliest places
in the world due to
the cordial reception
given to visitors
and smiling faces.
The most common
greeting between Thais
is the “wai,”
which is a slight bow with
the hands joined together,
and it is first offered
by the younger of
the two people meeting.
Endowed with abundant
natural resources,
Thai people show
their gratitude for such
divine blessings through
large traditional festivals.
From April 13th to 15th
each year
of the solar calendar,
the Thai New Year
or the Songkran Festival
is observed.
During these three days,
people clean their homes,
wear new clothes,
do charitable works, and
splash water at each other
for good luck, fun,
and with the hopes
for plentiful rain
in the coming year.
During the hot month
of April,
small streams dry up,
threatening the lives
of aquatic inhabitants.
Compassionate Thais
try to rescue the fish
and release them into
large rivers or canals.
Songkran
is also an occasion
when Thai people pay
special respect to their
parents and elders, who
are models of wisdom.
They help bathe them,
pour scented water
into their palms and
ask for their blessings.
For this reason,
the 13th and 14th of April
are declared National
Senior Citizens Day and
Family Day, respectively.
Loy Krathong is the most
romantic festival
in Thailand that is
steeped in the country’s
history for over 700 years.
On the 12th full moon of
the lunar calendar, people
float lanterns, candles,
incense, floral crafts, and
sculptures in beautifully
adorned miniature
vessels on rivers, lakes
and other water surfaces,
as a symbolic gesture
to cleanse up
negative influences
and welcome
new beginnings in life.
On this occasion,
people pay homage
to Lord Buddha,
the divine trinity of
Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva,
and express their thanks
to the goddess of water.
It is also a time to
remember their ancestors
and far away relatives.
During Loy Krathong,
the atmosphere is filled
with happiness and peace.
Fireworks are lit and
sweet melodies are sung.
It is a truly a magnificent
sight to see thousands
of twinkling lights
bobbing over
stretches of water under
the luminous full moon.
In everyday life as well
as on special occasions,
the gentle people
of Thailand manifest their
ancient beliefs through
their humble demeanor
and happy living.
As part of her
world lecture tour in 1993,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
was invited to Thailand
to impart
her words of wisdom.
She lovingly expressed
her sincere wishes to the
kind-hearted Thai people.
I feel so touched
by the spirit of
brotherhood and nobility
of the people of Thailand.
When you come
to Thailand, you cannot
help but also feel yourself
very noble, very graceful.
Thai people are
so beautiful and open.
I said to the Buddhas
of the ten directions,
“Please bless your country,
bless the people
of Thailand
because they are so noble,
they are so pure,
and so sincere.”
And this prayer came
from my very heart.
I wish your country
more prosperity,
more noble and
more enlightened.
With caring citizens
and wise sovereigns,
the glorious Kingdom
of Thailand continues to
enjoy its long history of
prosperity and harmony.
Thank you for
being with us today for
A Journey through
Aesthetic Realms
on Supreme Master
Television.
Up next is
Vegetarianism:
The Noble Way of Living,
after Noteworthy News.
May truth, virtue
and beauty be
ever present in your life.