Doctrines of Dharma

Sitting in the centre of Siam Discovery’s bustling Grand Hall, the 17th “Kidtueng Somdet Ya” exhibition welcomes visitors in the nicest possible way with coffee, plants, dharma booklets, and replicas of the late Princess Mother’s handicrafts.

Organised by Siam Piwat, the Mae Fah Luang Foundation and ThaiBev, the annual exhibition, which this year has the title “Royal Faith”, is designed around the theme of faith and reflects the late Princess Mother’s deep attachment to the Buddhist doctrine of leading a simple life full of wisdom. The event also aims to congratulate His Holiness Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara, the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, on his 100th birth anniversary.

The loud music blaring in the background and the flashy giant plasma screens showing the latest runway fashions contrast sharply with the exhibition’s solemn atmosphere. The peaceful space is like a lush island in the middle of a stormy sea.

“We intentionally choose this busy area for the exhibition. The small and peaceful area in the middle of the lively shopping centre symbolises the notion that even in this hectic world, we can find peace if we understand the common concept of religion. Not only Buddhism but every religion,” says Thanphuying Putrie Viravaidya, deputy secretary-general of the Mae Fah Luang Foundation under Royal Patronage.

The exhibition is divided into three zones that display the Princess Mother’s interest in religion and philosophy. The exhibits include replicated handicrafts, letters and a collection of her dharma books. 

The “Royal Faith” zone displays the dharma books published under her initiative, such as “Dharma Talk”, which was transcribed from her radio programme on the Dusit Palace station and broadcast daily during His Majesty the King’ time in the monkhood in 1956.

The Princess Mother’s strong bond with Buddhist doctrine can be traced back to her childhood in an old community surrounded by temples. When she lost the ones she loved, she would also use the Buddhist doctrine to console her in her grief and help her move on. 

The second zone, dubbed “Arts … Reasons”, features photos and a ceramic replica of a Buddha image made by the Princess Mother. 

“Everything happens for a reason and so does art. That’s why she put these two words together. Whether she was drying small flowers to turn into bookmarks or moulding the clay to make Buddha images, the Princess Mother focused on her work and found peace.

 “We would like to convey the message that a total focus on work is like meditation. Thus, when we work we can meditate and find peace. There is no need to go to the temple to meditate; you can do it anywhere. It’s not necessary either to visit nine temples in one day to make merit. We can simply focus on our work to meditate, read dharma books and watch dharma programmes to ‘think and learn’ the Buddhist doctrine,” says Thanphuying Putrie. 

The third zone, “Wisdom + Knowledge Must Be Used in the Right Way”, displays the “Dharma” collection of titles published at the initiative of the Princess Mother. It also comprises her letters and materials related to the publication of this book.

“As you can see, this is a small exhibition. It is very simple and calm. We use it to demonstrate that we don’t have to spend much money to find peace. Elaborate decoration is not our focus but rather peace and simplicity. We wanted to hold the exhibition in an open area where people from all walks of life could drop by and find a space to rest and ponder in peace.

“There is no computer in the exhibition hall, only booklets about the common concepts in religion, small photographs and replicas of Princess Mother’s works. We invite people to take a seat, relax, read and maybe have a cup of Doi Tung coffee,” Thanphuying Putrie continues.

“The coffee, which comes from beans grown in the Doi Tung Development Project is a good example of the Princess Mother’s ideas about charitable work. The project focuses on raising the quality of life of Thailand’s ethnic minorities in the Doi Tung area and encompasses the reforestation of watershed areas and the development of various social enterprises to benefit local people. 

“The Princess Mother always believed that we should help others to stand on their own feet so they can better themselves and people around them. Handing them money cannot really help and, in any case, no one has enough money to give to everyone. His Majesty the King has followed her idea and tries to help people get on their feet.

“We also would like to let the younger generation know more about Princess Mother and her peaceful and simple life. This is actually quite hard to do but at least this is a good attempt. Our aim is to commemorate the simple life of Princess Mother, her faith in Buddhism and her charitable mind.”

After “Royal Faith” closes on Wednesday, the exhibits will be moved to Maruekhathaiyawan Palace in Phetchaburi where they will be on display for a month. They will then be placed at The Princess Mother Memorial Park to allow anyone looking for peace in this hectic world, young or old, so can stop by and start to ‘think’

 

IN TRUE  BELIEF

 “Royal Faith” runs until Wednesday in Siam Discovery’s grand hall. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presides over the official opening at 5 today.