Wat Pa Lad
 
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Chiang Mai 2014-12

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© 2014 John Holstein
 
 
 
 
Wat Pa Lad, a gallery of Buddhist art hidden in the forest. It wasn't intended as a gallery--it's treasures have accumulated over six centuries--but that's what it has become. I used to dislike Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, the iconic temple a kilometer above Wat Pa Lad, because it is so vulgar in its (successful) attempt to draw the tourist hordes; but now I appreciate it, because it distracts those hordes from Wat Pa Lad. Here are a couple links to good photos and information: "Wat Palad: The Secret Jungle Temple..." and "Wat Palad: The Temple Below the Temple".
 
 
 
 
These strips of cloth line the 2-kilometer path to Wat Pa Lad.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
After an hour in the dark forest you round a bend and Wat Pa Lad surprises you with a wide-open smile of "Welcome!" The stream is flowing even during the dry season.
 
 
 
 
That's Chiang Mai way down there.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
In the base of the stupa.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I wish I could explain the presence of the Chinese characters on a headstone in a Thai temple.
 
 
 
 
 
Meditation cells?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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