Alida Vanni

Monks by the sea

On the island of Koh Phayam, there lives a group of Buddhist monks, some 30 souls known as the Sea Monks.
Stories
Culture
Monk of Koh Phayam Island | ©Alida Vanni, 2017
Icona Made in Academy
Academy Xperience Thailandia Journey

Alida Vanni

Monks by the sea

Koh Phayam, Thailandia

This post is also available in: Italiano

In the south-west of Thailand, in the province of Ranong, in the Andaman Sea, there is an island that still jealously preserves its discreet charm: it is the island of Koh Phayam. An island still off the tourist routes. Arriving here, one feels a sense of peace, warmth, welcome and spirituality. Beaches, untouched bays, clustered mangroves, roads without cars, only motorbikes and bicycles. The people of Koh Phayam still try to live according to ancient traditions. It is in this atmosphere, in this little paradise of the Orient, that a group of Buddhist monks live. They discovered the island as early as 1400 and considered it a spiritual place. The shrine is located on the east coast of Koh Phayam and is the only temple on the island. The architecture has Thai and Burmese influences.

A large Buddha statue and many other smaller statues overlook the sea, while the prayer temple, connected by a long wooden bridge, stands in a mystical and picturesque location by the sea.
It is here, along this coastline of just a few kilometres, that the spiritual life of some thirty ‘sea’ monks unfolds at a regular pace. They can neither work nor handle money.

monk
Monk of Koh Phayam Island | ©Alida Vanni, 2017

At sunrise, before 6 a.m., monks wrapped in their bright orange robes walk the coast from one end to the other to perform the Tanbum. With a large bowl, they collect, from the local population, the daily offering which is, for the most part, of a food nature. Buddhist monks cannot receive the oblation directly from the hands of the worshipper but the donation must be placed directly into their basket. The benefactor will receive a blessing from the monk.

The fascinating rite of offering is an evocative and enthralling practice. Donating food to a monk is a very important ritual in Thailand. The believer who performs this action will gain the path to Nirvana faster.

Once their daily procession is over, the monks return to the temple with the collected meal. It will be the only meal eaten during the day.
In the afternoon, most of the monks stay inside the Wat to meditate, study and write. Others devote themselves to cleaning up the temple by tending plants or crocheting.

Text & Photos: Alida Vanni
Original text in Italian - In-house translation
Tailandia
Koh Phayam, Thailandia
Alida Vanni
DooG's Author
Photo | Videomaker

© Portfolio - Monks by the sea

Academy Xperience Thailandia Journey

Stories to share

Curiosity is culture

The story of a Camino, that of Santiago de Compostela, done on a motorbike, when the motorbike is not just a vehicle but a travel companion.
African women are many working hands: they are the real strength that Africa can count on. And they are the creators of this poetry made of clay.
The story of how Rwanda was able to respond to the terrible genocide of ethnic Tutsis in April 1994
There is a square-shaped district in Tangail, furrowed by narrow, long, right-angled corridors: the Tangail brothel

Help us for independent journalism

DooG Reporter | Stories to share

All rights reserved ©2023

DooG Reporter | Stories to share

All rights reserved ©2023