Over near the front gate of the Temple complex, just behind the small building, you will see a large Bodhi Tree. This is the same type of tree denoted as the location where The Buddha attained Enlightenment. The original location, and tree, is located in Bodhgaya, India. This is the same species of tree as the one found at that important location.
The shape of the leaf is unique and is a symbol of Enlightenment.
The shape of this leaf can be found in Buddhist artwork and symbolism throughout Buddhist cultures. You might decide to take a look at the leaf of this important tree as you look down at the ground and see plenty of these leaves available for you to view.
Across the parking lot, you will see a large yellow building with a twelve spoked wheel on the top. This twelve spoked wheel represents the highest most ultimate truth of The Teachings of The Buddha, symbolizing a Teaching titled “Dependent Origination”. This important Teaching describes, in a way that is independently verifiable, exactly why a being experiences The Cycle of Rebirth and discontent feelings. Studying and independently verifying Dependent Origination is part of what a Student would understand in their journey to Enlightenment.
At one time, this building functioned as a headquarters for all the Ordained Practitioners, the Monks, of the entire province of Chiang Mai. Now, it is used as a classroom to host regular classes, courses, and retreats for Practitioners to study the original Words of The Buddha.
To your left, the small “L” shaped building is where the Ordained Practitioners of this Temple reside, it is their living quarters.
Finally, the small decorative building positioned next to the main hall use to function as a building to become an Ordained Practitioner. If you were going to be ordained, you would enter into this building with ten (10) currently ordained individuals called “preceptors". They would ordain the new individual and when they exit, they would be officially ordained.
When individuals come to a Temple, they sometimes choose to offer support through sharing their time, effort, energy, or resources. The Buddha taught the practice of generosity, giving and sharing without any expectation of anything in return, in order to train the mind to “let go”. It is the mind holding on, craving and clinging, wanting and expecting, that is causing the mind to experience discontent feelings such as sadness, anger, frustration, irritation, annoyance, guilt, shame, fears, boredom, loneliness, shyness, jealousy, resentment, stress, anxiety, etc. It is through training the mind to “let go”, that one can completely eliminate 100% of all discontent feelings.
The Buddha taught meditation, and several other techniques, to train the mind to “let go”. Giving and sharing one’s time, effort, energy, and resources to help others, without any expectation of anything in return, helps train the mind to “let go”, thus, working to eliminate one’s discontent feelings. In addition, by supporting a Temple, you are supporting the ability for people to gain access to The Teachings of The Buddha, receiving assistance and guidance in developing a better life.
If you have offered your support to our Temple, in any way, we sincerely appreciate your kindness and generosity. Your support helps us, to help you and many others around the world.
If you would like to join us for classes to learn more here at the Temple, you are welcome to attend any of our classes, courses, or retreats at no cost. You will find our events calendar by scanning the QR code or by visiting the website BuddhaDailyWisdom.com. You can learn here in Thailand or through the live stream of our events. No matter where you are in the world, if you have an internet connection, you are able to learn The Teachings of The Buddha and the better way of life he taught.
We sincerely appreciate your visit to Thailand and Wat Tung Yu. I wish you a meaningful and joyful day in Chiang Mai as you explore all that it has to offer.
Take care and be well, and may you discover the peace and joy of the Enlightened mind.
Support our efforts to share The Teachings of Gotama Buddha with you and worldwide for all people using this link.
https://www.buddhadailywisdom.com/supportbuddha