A young woman loves her boyfriend passionately. She decided to introduce him to her parents. One look at him, her parents decided that he is not the man for her. The situation became upsetting for the young couples.  Her parents went home and prayed to their God for a better man for their daughter. A few day after the meeting with her parents, the young woman and her boyfriend somehow decided to break up. A few weeks later she felt bad about what happen.  She pray to her God asking God to reunite her and her boyfriend.  By now her boyfriend no long wishes to be with her because he somehow believe that her parents were right. He somehow believes that she deserves someone better than he. He had put himself in her parents’ shoes and decided to make the decision for both of them.  He walked away.

What happened now is, her parents seemed to have got their pray answered. Their daughter is no longer with the young man they are not approve of. They are happy because they think their daughter has already moved on. She seems fine.  Really, she is not because her prayer went unheard.  Let alone, unanswered.  She misses her boyfriend dearly. Still, she continues to pray.  As for the young man, his heart continues to ache. For some reasons he always feels guilty for abandoning the love that they shared.  He tells himself everyday it’s over but deep down inside he knows it’s not.  He misses her and want to be with her.  Yet, he does nothing because he knows the power of prayer. His is not as powerful as her parents’. For they possess greater merit. They possess greater love, the love for their daughter.  He respected that.  He prays less and less as time goes by.  Finally, he just praying?  Could it be, he doesn’t love her enough or power of prayer is much greater than mere loving?  In this case, her parents’ prayer is answered.

Pray but be careful what you pray for.

It’s time to let go.  Good bye my sofa.  Mr. Loy, I hope this is what you want.  It’s yours.

The Emerald Buddha Begins. Our story picks up where I left off.  There is an end to this.  Trust me.  We are almost there.

It was said, later when the news reached the Chao Maung (a ruler) of KamPangPhet who was a relative of the ruler of KrungSiAyutThaYa, he sought to invite the Emerald Buddha top reside at his Muang (city). During the time, the Emerald Buddha was going back and forward between the Siamese. Time and date were not indicated here. They were relatives so they can share or move the Emerald Buddha around.

In KamPangPhet, the ruler of the city had a son. When he came of age he was sent to rule Maung RaVo (presently call RopBuRee). Some some point he became ambitious, he thought it would be a good idea to have the presence of the Emerald Buddha in his city. The father thought otherwise so he created a situation for his his son. During this trouble time for the emerald buddha, it was also a period when the craftsmen were really good at making buddha statues. They have made a lot of replica of the Emerald Buddha. The old king thought it would be a good way to test his son’s worthiness of possessing the Emerald Buddha. He thought his son would never guess the real one. But the son out wit his father by bribing the door guard who knew which one is the real one. He told the door guard to place a red flower in front of the real one. That was all the prince need to acquire the green Buddha statue.

The Emerald Buddha remained in the care of Chao Maung RaVo for one year and 9 months. It was then when the father decided that it was time to return the Emerald Buddha to his City. The son didn’t have a choice.

Next our story took Muang ChiengRai, Chao PromMaTat or Chao MaHaProm, the ruler of ChiengRai or of Maung YoNok, a member of a Lao family (Lao with black stomach). I am not sure what this last passage all mean. I never heard of YoNok or Lao with black stomach before. Anyway, Chao Maung ChiengRai was a buddy of Chao Maung KamPangPhet. When he heard of the Emerald Buddha, he wanted it. He marched his entire army to pay the king of KamPangPhet a visit. In a way it was his intention to threat his buddy as well. He wanted the Emerald Buddha or perhaps “Else!” The King of KamPangPhet had no stomach for war, so he gave his buddy the Emerald Buddha, “Sure you can have it. We are friends. I can give it to you.” When all was said and done, Chao Muang or Ruler of ChiengRai marched his army back to ChiengRai with a big prize and a big smile.

At the time in ChiengMai, the ruler of ChiengMai was Chao PutThaVong who was an uncle to Chao Maung ChiengRai. The twos had a quarrel that resulted in Chao PutThaVong marched his army to ChiengRai. Chao MahaPhom couldn’t contest it. Fear that his City would be lost to his uncle along with it precious treasures. He made sure of one thing, the safety of the Emerald Buddha. He covered the body of the Emerald Buddha with gold and placed it in the mix of all the Buddha statues inside huge stupa. The emerald Buddha remained hidden that way for the next 4 centuries.

A quick recap:

The emerald Buddha was created 500 years after the death of Buddha. In 1506 AB (after death of Buddha) or 965 AD (after death of Christ), the Emerald Buddha arrived in Maung RaVo or RopBuRee. Emerald Buddha remained hidden, if I may, in the mix of the ancient stupa in ChiengRai for the next 471 years. Time has past.

Time passed on by, the year was 1977 AB or 1434 AD, the reign of Chao PaYaYuKon of Maung SWaa or Muang Laung PraBang who rule between 1434 and 1437. This book mentioned Nang KeoPimPa rose to power in Laung PraBang. But the story Nang KeoPimPa held its own significant. I’m sure the court historian had a few things written about her.

By this time, the studpa that shielded the Emerald Buddha from the weather for more than 4 centuries was at a depressing stage. It finally crumbled down revealing what was kept inside after all these years. The people of ChiengRai took all the little Buddha statues including the Emerald Buddha and put them in a proper place, the cathedral. After 3 months, the gold that covered the body of the Emerald Buddha peeled off. The head monks saw that, he peeled off the gold chunk one by one. What he saw was a green Buddha made in one solid emerald, there were no connections or joints on any parts of the body. It was something he has never seen before. This caused a lot of excitement for the people of ChiengRai, people came from near and far to worship the sacred statue. What happened then was, Tao (mister or sir in Laotian) Peer who was the protector of Maung ChiengRai at the time knew something of that magnitude needs to be transfer to ChiengMai for safekeeping. He requested the court of ChiengMai to send an envoy to receive the Emerald Buddha with Elephants and all. With urgency, the caravan came.

It was said that during the trip back to Chiengmai, the envoy has a situation…

To be continue…

My weekend get away trip took me to beautiful San Diego for the 31th Annual America’s Finest City Half Marathon. I finished the race in 2 hrs 47 min. I am please with the result.

Me dashing for the finish line

Congratulated by Cindy and Tommy

Hiromi Ominami (above) is this year’s winner. Her time was 1:12:47, just a little over an hour.  Her sister Takami came in 5th place at 1:16:20.

Having been around so many runners over the year sparked an idea of starting a non profit organization in my birth land.  I want the children there to run.  The Africans did it with a passion, now we know the word Kenya.  I believe running can bring fun and rewarding experience to the live of children.  With two legs and feet, all they need is a good heart to run.  Of course, a good pair of shoes to compete in a world class race.  Just like the Ominami sisters from Colorado, I believe the children from Laos can make world class one day.  Below is the link to follow up on the top times and some photos of last weekend’s event.

www.afchalf.com/cgi/results.pl

]]> http://danglingmonkey.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/run/feed/ danglingmonkey http://danglingmonkey.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/weekend-run/ http://danglingmonkey.wordpress.com/2008/08/18/weekend-run/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:30:48 +0000 amphone http://danglingmonkey.wordpress.com/?p=458

The first thing I wanted to do on my weekend get away trip was to have some home cooked meal at this famous Lao restaurant I heard so much about. No problem, my host were more than happy to oblige. If you love food and love to try new thing, you have got to tap into some of Laotian’s favorite home cooked meal. These food are served in some restaurants but I still call them home cook meal.

The stars you see above are cow organ soup (far left), beef salad (middle), beef jerky (far right), and Lao sticky rice served hot (see there in bamboo container).

What I found amazing with this restaurant is their fast service. If you are hungry and you want to eat now, you will get your food now. I made the stop again before I left for the airport. I asked my friends if tum mak hung (papaya salad) is good there. They not only say yes, they guaranteed it. My friends have so much faith in this place. After two visits I too was a fan.

To me, a good place to eat is easy to find. I love food, I will try anything, but my heart is at home with home cooked meal. Any home cooked meal. This weekend, my home cooked meal was in the hands of Sangdao’s kitchen staffs.

It was a fabulous evening for our community in Georgia. What a deliverance for us all! Dr. Kim was brilliant! We learned that there were Asians in North America as early as 1421, 3 ports we entered, Filipinos fought on both North and the South side during the Civil War, there were 10 Chinese Confederate soldiers fought for the south during the Civil War, all were eventually killed except for one who was imprisoned by the Union troop, and much much more. Whew, awesome night for us Asians. This is the first time Dr. Kim presents her research on behalf of the community coalition that yours truly is a part of.  I asked if there would be a new book out.  She laughed, “That’s what everyone was asking me?”

]]> http://danglingmonkey.wordpress.com/2008/08/15/asian-in-america/feed/ danglingmonkey http://danglingmonkey.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/batman/ http://danglingmonkey.wordpress.com/2008/08/14/batman/#comments Thu, 14 Aug 2008 04:55:19 +0000 amphone http://danglingmonkey.wordpress.com/?p=449

Entertainment with parental guidance 13. Wow, what a smash hit. I finally get around to see it. I saw the film last Friday. The movie is everything I expected but a bit longer than I anticipated. I was tired of the Joker goes on and on about his willingness to show people their true color.  I think deleting some scene would be just fine to me.  Part 2 is ok too.

The latest Batman’s combat gadgets & gears are fantastic. Very realistic especially the sona thing. I thought that was great idea on the writer part.

Other than being entertained, the movie has a message or too many messages.  It reminds me of an old Laotian saying, if I may, “Kow ha kun ya sai na kak. When meet don’t wear mask.” The Joker think this world is a joke. He made a few interesting points.  I told La that we still can’t surrender and give into temptation.  No matter what, I would never become that. Why should I?  I believe this world has a better future as long as we don’t give up on each other.

Perseverance;  constraint; discipline; don’t loose it.

Can’t ignore whats happening around the world. Russians and Georgians are at it. Why? I can’t say. Bad news. On the other hand, Olympic is happening and it’s going great. The World needs the Olympic. USA gold medalist hopeful, Laotian-American at that, lost to the Chinese in Badminton contest. Too bad. Here at home, I got my own Olympic preparation. Gold medal is waiting for me in San Diego. That is if I make the 13.1 in 3 hours. So far two Laotians are listed on this weekend’s 31th America Finest City Marathon. We Laotians don’t run much. We don’t run. I do.

This Olympic makes me think of a Laotian marathoner from Laos. She made good time in the 1996 Olympic. She is a good runner. I met the woman. Shook her hand. I wonder if she accept my sponsorship.

It’s getting late.  I couldn’t find the update on how my Laotians are doing in the Olympic.  I will try again tomorrow.  I know they have not won a medal yet.  There’s still hope.  it’s not over yet.  Good night and good  luck my friends.  Cheering for you in my sleep, ok?

We continue our story today by revisiting what’s happening in Nakon InTaPat. Pra Chao (his highness) NaRaiCaSuRiYaVong had passed. Pra Chao SeNarRath or SeNaRath carried on the role his father’s.

I know every detail in this book has to be account for so I will not leave this part out. The new King has a son who likes to play with a fly he has been raising as a pet. At the time there was also a son of maha (great) Prom (a deity). At the same time there was a son of maha Prom who likes to raise a spider as a pet. One day the two met and play together. Both brought out their favorite pet to show and tell. The moment the spider saw the fly, it ate it right the way. The prince of SeNaRath was devastated. He cried to his father the King to do something about it. The King just who always spoiled his son, did something about it. He ordered the drowning of the little maha Prom’s son. Huh, this probably was a bad thing to do to a deity’s son. This might be the reason there was a great flood. During the flood the emerald Buddha was missing. It was carried off by the heavy flood. It ended up in land of the Siamese. One Tera (a wise person) found it and see that it’s the great emerald Buddha. He took it and delivered it to the king of Siam, his majesty ATiKaRaJaBoRom. The King was so please with the arrival of the emerald Buddha to his country, he build a palace like for the emerald Buddha to be house.

After the emerald buddha arrived in Siam where it stayed.  The length, time and date is not definite.  It was not mention here in this book but we will proceed.

To be continue…