Mae Chee was a famous Thai fashion model, married to a wealthy business man. Dissatisfied with the tinsel of modern life she became a Buddhist nun. She purchased seven acres of marsh land not far from the center of the city and has developed a community based on Buddhist principles.
A Community of Peace & Harmony
We arrived to this vision of Mae Chee walking through the trees to greet this weekend group of retreatants
Their inner silence was vast, her soft voice preparing them to return to their homes, renewed.
We sat on the other side of the lily pond, entranced
Mae Chee
It was a magical land. The structures blended with the lavish landscape
Mae Chee said that as she walked the land it told her which parts to drain, where to build walkways and place sculpture
Joy was our translator and our guide. Here she is showing us the sauna area. Natural healing techniques are a part of the program offered to help calm the frazzled nerves of city dwellers
Breathtaking beauty in every direction
This Buddha graced an open air classroom
Young mothers were dancing in a circle, affirming life, while young children slept
Raphael found a deep, meditative opportunity as we strolled through the grounds.
This large hall like structure, built over the water had little platforms for massage
Art and beauty was everywhere you looked
One of the Meditation Halls
The community began with women who had been raped, abused and were pregnant. Sprinkled throughout the grounds were these sculptures of babies
There were several of these mud and thatch structures
It was a paradise for children. These two are making music, knocking the metal pieces dangling at the end of long cords
This group is enjoying massage and relaxation
Inside one of the mud structures, this happy Buddha presides
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A mindfulness walk, the boards are slightly raised and lowered from each other so one must pay attention to traverse them without consequences
Patterns of light
A lily pad to build a frog city on
Personal Sauna Rooms
A sink around the corner from the sauna
These magnificent trees are being cultivated on the grounds. This one adorns one of the buildings where young mothers and their babies reside.
Known in India as Shiva Linga, the fragrance is sweet and sultry
Come on in
The view from the windows is breathtaking
Raphael describes to Mae Chee his concept of music, his vision of recording the nuns and adding his touches to make a powerful expression of Global Joy
Kutira shows Mae Chee the budding brochure of the Bhutan Nuns Foundation.
Robin shares one of those timeless hugs
After the interview we returned to the gardens
How could only 7 acres hold so much
The next day Raphael set up to record in one of the prayer rooms
Mae Chee has 10 ordained nuns. The folks in the purple shirts are community members who manage the running of the community
Robin is ready to document our evening collaboration
Raphael’s sensitive mikes record the sweet chants
Mae Chee has prepared baskets of presents for us
In the center of the room, this pagoda of light. This picture is before we lit the candles
This one, after we lit the candles
Under the pagoda, a crystal singing bowl.
These beautiful flowers were prepared for us to offer at the altar as part of the evening ritual
Mai Chee lights the first candle
The reflection of the pagoda on the marble floor
Mae Chee had this gamalon brought to accompany the dance.
Tanisara was a wonderful dancer and quickly mastered the mudras of the “8 Precious Offerings Dance” that I had presented. She will help us organize our dance when we come next year
Tara, in the middle of it all
Mae Chee, her nuns, Raphael and Kutira
