Monk Chat

After a long day of teaching, I went to a temple near the back gate of campus called Wat Suan Dok. They have a program in the evenings during the week called 'Monk Chat.' I didn't really know what to expect, but I knew it was basically a small group conversation between 'laypeople' and monks in English. Non-monks get to ask questions about monk life, Buddhism, etc. and the monks get to practice their English skills. It was such a fabulous experience, I can't wait to go back. I already know a little bit about Buddhism, not enough to ask in-depth questions, but I learned a lot. A monk's typical day is to wake up at 4:30am, practice morning meditation, chanting, then go out for alms. They walk the streets early in the morning with silver bowls, and people give their offerings of food. Whatever they are offered, they get to eat for the day. It is my understanding that this is their only source of food. They eat only twice a day. Once in the morning, and again in the afternoon. The rest of their day is spent studying, in class, in meditation, chanting, or having free time. Only boys can become monks after age 20; the youngsters are called novices.

The first group of monks I spoke to were all from Cambodia. It is common for boys to come from other countries to study in Thailand. It was interesting to know that they were learning to speak Thai just as I am, as well as English, and their English skills were phenomenal. They explained the differences (and similarities) between Buddhism and Christianity. They were eager to ask questions about America, about the places I've traveled, and they kept telling me how lucky I am to have the opportunity to see all these different countries and be a native English speaker. That is something I've always taken for granted. Many of the people here, if they could have one wish, it would be that English is their first language.

The second group of monks I talked to were Thai natives, and their English skills were just as good. One of them had disrobed, which means he was a monk, no longer is. This is common. In fact, it is expected that all men are monks for at least a short period in their life, typically for about three months. However, many keep their vows for life. So this boy had street clothes on and a full head of hair and eyebrows. I tried to imagine him bald and in an orange robe like the others. None of the other monks said they were ready to disrobe yet, but would like to someday so they could be English teachers, tour guides, or news reporters.

One of the spit fire monks caught me off guard when he asked me if I knew some examples of idioms. I was thrown off by this question and couldn't think of any examples off the top of my head. He then quickly said "a piece of cake; easy come easy go; when pigs fly; don't put all of your eggs in one basket; grass is greener on the other side; what do these all mean?" I laughed and tried my best to explain. It was especially neat to see these shy boys open up and crack jokes and smile from ear to ear. I shouldn't call them boys, they were all my age or even older. They just seem so young and eager (maybe it's because they don't ever get to interact with females their age?). So then this spit fire monk was testing my Thai. He said, "Repeat after me: gaw gaw gaw gaw gaw." He insisted that each gaw had a different tone (and therefore a different meaning) but I didn't hear it, so I tried to repeat and they all just laugh. Then I said, "Well try this one: She sells sea shells by the sea shore." Their eyes lit up. "Say it again! Again!" I thought of other tongue twisters for them (Peter Piper, wood chuck chuck, unique New York...) They asked me to write them down for them, so I spent the next 20 minutes writing down tongue twisters on three different pieces of paper for these monks to practice. They were so excited, it was hysterical. While I was writing and laughing and helping them practice she sells sea shells, they were making more jokes about my name. People get such a kick out of it. When I first said that my name is Mia, they all smile a little smirk and slowly tell me as if they are sharing some bad but funny news, "ummm, your name means wife in Thai." Yeah. I know. They said they were going to tell their friends they chatted with the wife, which is completely ironic for a monk. They loved this.

I told them that I will be back again with more tongue twisters, and they will have more questions about idioms. I think in a couple weeks I will do a 2-day meditation retreat at this temple, and perhaps even volunteer to help with their English classes. Such a beautiful group of people, these monks are. That's all I kept thinking throughout the evening.