Graduation of Medical Doctor

High School Graduation of Stepheny Norasingh May 29, 2008 . At Metro Centre Rockford, Illiinois USA

In this clip from the episode "Sun & Cloud Shadow", Master Po is using a pond of lotus flowers as a metaphor for enlightenment. All people draw from the same pond of existence, yet each   more...obtains a different level of understanding. Master Po reminds Caine that a tall flower is no more beautiful or superior than a short flower.

This is in direct reference to a teaching of the ancient Taoist sage Lao Tzu, the author of Tao Te Ching. From chapter 49 of this Taoist sacred text, 'An enlightened person is not obstinate. She accepts what others have willed for themselves. She accepts those who appear good to be good; and she accepts those who appear bad to be good also.'

This video was taken from the 1970's TV series 'Kung Fu' (Created by Ed Spielman, Herman Miller and Jerry Thorpe). It is essentially an American Western set in the latter half of the 1800's, with an Eastern hero who has neither a gun or a horse. The story follows the adventures of Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine); a nature loving Shaolin priest who had recently fled China. He speaks softly but is no pushover. He lives humbly yet knows great contentment.

Each episode also takes the viewer back to Caine's childhood in the Shaolin temple. It is here under the instruction of the wonderfully charismatic Master Po (Keye Luke) and the stern yet loving Master Kan (Philip Ahn), young Caine (Radames Pera) learns the harmoniously balanced ways of Tao.

The teachings of the Shaolin was meticulously researched for the Kung Fu series. This makes Kung Fu one of the most authentic interpretations of Philosophical Taoism available in popular culture. I was therefore surprised to see no one else had presented selected scenes from Kung Fu as an introduction to the Taoist philosophy.

To learn more about the 'Tao Te Ching' and Philosophical Taoism, please visit my website: http://www.yinyangnature.com

To learn more about "Kung Fu" and Tao, check out the interview I did on the "I am Caine" blog: http://kwaichangcaine.blogspot.com/2008/04/yin-yang-nature-interview.html  less

Treyson's 5th month

Coronation of Khuba Nonh Yannadhamma

Ethan playing with dog.

Having pheu at Vone's place

In this clip from the episode called 'The Tide', Master Kan is echoing the words of the ancient Taoist sage Lao Tzu. "Those who do not trust also can not be trusted."

It may seem natural to become   more...untrusting after an act of deceit. However, this only serves to limit our experiences of life. Although trusting will sometimes end in despair; this pales into insignificance when compared to the rewards that can only be known through trusting another.

This video was taken from the 1970's TV series 'Kung Fu' (Created by Ed Spielman, Herman Miller and Jerry Thorpe). It is essentially an American Western set in the latter half of the 1800's, with an Eastern hero who has neither a gun or a horse. The story follows the adventures of Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine); a nature loving Shaolin priest who recently fled China. He speaks softly but is no pushover. He lives humbly yet knows great contentment.

Each episode also takes the viewer back to Caine's childhood in the Shaolin temple. It is here under the instruction of the wonderfully charismatic Master Po (Keye Luke) and the stern yet loving Master Kan (Philip Ahn), young Caine (Radames Pera) learns the harmoniously balanced ways of Tao.

The teachings of the Shaolin was meticulously researched for the Kung Fu series. This makes Kung Fu one of the most authentic interpretations of Philosophical Taoism available in popular culture. I was therefore surprised to see no one else had presented selected scenes from Kung Fu as an introduction to the Taoist philosophy.

To learn more about Philosophical Taoism, please visit my website: www.yinyangnature.com  less

1. Bangkok Songkran Festival
Date: 12 – 15 April 2008
Venue: at 9 royal temples and around Rattanakosin Island
Hi-Light:
* Songkran Celebration of the 4 Regions (southern section of Sanam Luang near Wat   more...Phra Kaeo)
Bathing of Buddha images from the 4 regions, local food and dessert making demonstrations, and cultural shows from various regions.
Open Ceremony on 12th April 2008 18.00-21.00 hrs. at Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng)
* Paying worship at 9 royal temples around Rattanakosin Island. On 12-15 April 2008 09.00-18.00 hrs. : Wat Phra Sri Rattanasasadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo), Wat Chetaphon (Wat Pho), Wat Suthat, Wat Saket, Wat Bowonniwet, Wat Chanasongkram , Wat Rakung, Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng), and Wat Kalayanamitr. Participants will receive a Passport of the 9 temples at each public relations point of each temple. After receiving the stamp from all the temples, a coupon for a lucky prize will be given.
* Fun-filled splashing in traditional Thai dress, Khao San Road with various forms of Songkran fun, on 12-15 April 2008 at 07.00-18.00 hrs.
* Banglamphu community at Santi Chaiprakarn Park, Phra Athit Road and Wisut Kasat., on 12-13 April 2008
Further Information : Events Planning Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Tel. 02 250 5500 ext. 3470. TAT Call Center 1672 website : www.songkran.net
2. Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Songkran Festival
Date: 13 – 14 April 2008
Venue: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Historical Park, Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit, and around the island city, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya
Activities : Making merit to the monks, releasing of birds and fish, paying homage to the elderly.
Hi-Light: on 13 April 2008
06.00 hrs. : Making merit to the monks at the front of Wihan Phramongkhon Bophit
14.00 hrs. : the grand procession of the Songkran tradition, enjoying splashing water with elephants at the old city.
Further Information : Education Division, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Municipality. Tel. 0 3525 2168. TAT Central Region Office : Region 6 (Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya), Tel. 0 3524 6076-7, 0 3532 2730-1
3. Chonburi Province
(3.1) Pattaya Songkran Festival (Wan Lai Fair)
Date: 18 – 19 April 2008
Venue: Pho Na Kleua Public Park, Chon Buri
Activities : Procession of the Buddha image for the people to bathe, along the Pattaya beach, local games, various arts and cultural performances, piling rice tradition, paying homage to the elderly, Miss Songkran Beauty Contest and enjoy splashing water along the beach of Pattaya.
Hi-Light: on 19 April 2008 at 08.00 hrs. : Procession of the Buddha image for the people to bathe and enjoying splashing water along the Pattaya beach.
Further Information : Pattaya City, Tel. 0 3837 1116-9, TAT Central Region Office : Region 3 (Chonburi), Tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750
(3.2) Bangsaen Wan Lai Tradition
Date: 16 – 17 April 2008
Venue: Bangsaen Beach, Meuang District, Chon Buri
Activities : Giving alms to monks, paying homage to the elderly, local games competitions, sand Chedi building, and enjoying splashing water along the clean and white Bangsaen Beach.
Hi-Light: on 16 April 2008 : Sand Chedi building contest
Further Information : Saen Suk Municipality. Tel. 0 3838 5353-5, TAT Central Region Office : Region 3 (Chonburi), Tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750
(3.3) Si Racha Songkran Festival and Piling Rice Ceremony
Date: 19 – 21 April 2008

Venue: Ko Loi Public Park, Si Racha District, Chon Buri

Activities : See a piling rice ceremony, a procession of bathing the Buddha image, procession and decoration of the piling rice vehicles, Thai arts and cultural show, demonstrations of various local sports and games, sand Chedi building contest, as well as splashing of water.

Hi-Light: A Procession and decoration of the piling rice vehicles.
Further Information : Si Racha Municipality. Tel. 0 3878 7947, TAT Central Region Office : Region 3 (Chonburi), Tel. 0 3842 7667, 0 3842 8750
(3.4) Ko Si Chang Songkran Festival
Date: 13 – 19 April 2008

Venue: Ko Si  less

“2008 Songkran Splendours” (13 locations)
1. Bangkok Songkran Festival Date: 12 – 15 April 2008
Venue: at 9 royal temples and around Rattanakosin Island
Hi-Light:
* Songkran Celebration of the 4 Regions   more...(southern section of Sanam Luang near Wat Phra Kaeo)
Bathing of Buddha images from the 4 regions, local food and dessert making demonstrations, and cultural shows from various regions.
Open Ceremony on 12th April 2008 18.00-21.00 hrs. at Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng)
* Paying worship at 9 royal temples around Rattanakosin Island. On 12-15 April 2008 09.00-18.00 hrs. : Wat Phra Sri Rattanasasadaram (Wat Phra Kaeo), Wat Chetaphon (Wat Pho), Wat Suthat, Wat Saket, Wat Bowonniwet, Wat Chanasongkram , Wat Rakung, Wat Arun (Wat Chaeng), and Wat Kalayanamitr. Participants will receive a Passport of the 9 temples at each public relations point of each temple. After receiving the stamp from all the temples, a coupon for a lucky prize will be given.
* Fun-filled splashing in traditional Thai dress, Khao San Road with various forms of Songkran fun, on 12-15 April 2008 at 07.00-18.00 hrs.
* Banglamphu community at Santi Chaiprakarn Park, Phra Athit Road and Wisut Kasat., on 12-13 April 2008
Further Information : Events Planning Division, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Tel. 02 250 5500 ext. 3470. TAT Call Center 1672 website : www.songkran.net  less

Visiting Northern Laos during December of 2007

In this clip from the double Emmy episode "An Eye For An Eye", Caine is confronted by a small group of Native Americans. He recalls the teachings of Master Po who recites chapter 50 of the 'Tao   more...Te Ching', written by the ancient Taoist master Lao Tzu.

By having an understanding of his adversaries, Caine is in a position to turn the tables. His Shaolin skills allow him to sneak up on the Native Americans as they sleep. He is now in a position to easily dispatch them, but he instead chooses to sit quietly amongst them. With this action Caine is demonstrating another of Lao Tzu's virtues: 'He who knows how to be aggressive and yet remains patient, becomes a receptacle for all of Nature's lessons'.

This video was taken from the 1970's TV series 'Kung Fu' (Created by Ed Spielman, Herman Miller and Jerry Thorpe). It is essentially an American Western set in the latter half of the 1800's, with an Eastern hero who has neither a gun or a horse. The story follows the adventures of Kwai Chang Caine (David Carradine); a nature loving Shaolin priest who recently fled China. He speaks softly but is no pushover. He lives humbly yet knows great contentment.

Each episode also takes the viewer back to Caine's childhood in the Shaolin temple. It is here under the instruction of the wonderfully charismatic Master Po (Keye Luke) and the stern yet loving Master Kan (Philip Ahn), young Caine (Radames Pera) learns the harmoniously balanced ways of Tao.

The teachings of the Shaolin was meticulously researched for the Kung Fu series. This makes Kung Fu one of the most authentic interpretations of Philosophical Taoism available in popular culture. I was therefore surprised to see no one else had presented selected scenes from Kung Fu as an introduction to the Taoist philosophy.

To learn more about Philosophical Taoism, the Tao Te Ching or Lao Tzu, please visit my website: www.yinyangnature.com  less

Nouane and her nephew Chase playing hoola hoops

Grandma U-Pao's 80th Birth day

His Holiness Art Ya Tham Chiang Tung visited Rockford, Illinois USA

Crossing Mekong River by Ferry Boat. From Chiang Khong Thailand to Houeisai, Laos

Elephant Festival in Muang Park Lai, Sayaburi

Former Command Center of Khunsa.

Muang Park Lai, Sayaburi, Laos
2008 Elephant Festival

Gliders over the sky of Chiang Mai, Thailand

Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Panhkham, Tip, Lai and Toun visiting Chiang Mai

Lao Traditional Wedding at Ban Houei Sai, Laos.

Friends in Laos