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A couple of days later I was invited to join in the inauguration of the new Ajahn Chah library/museum/study centre where a large number of Ajah Chah's senior disciples were gathered. It will be quite a wonderful facility when it is finished. Several dhamma talks (in Thai) were given and a variety of rituals and ceremonies was rounded off with a blessing where Ajahn Sumedho got to sprinkle everyone with holy water. He gets to do all the neat stuff. Chanting parittas in such a large group is a delight and very inspiring. During the week I was able to make a few 'tourist' visits to some of the special places around Bangkok. The brother of a friend in Ottawa took me and Ajahn Gavesako, who I knew from Amaravati, to Wat Saket home of The Golden-Mountain stupa, built around 1800 on a man-made hill! Also to Wat Traimit where we paid respects to The Golden Buddha. Cast about 1250 it was, at some stage, covered in clay to hide it from Burmese looters. Moved from Wat Phraya Krai in 1955 it was droPPed! to reveal its inner heart – 5½ tons of gold. Khun Sisak took me so many places. The Grand Palace (including Wat Phra Kaew - the Emerald Buddha), The King's Parliament and old residence (Dusit Palace), and Wat Suthat. It was from the latter that I crossed the river to the hospital to sign the book of good-wishes for the King. It was inspiring to see large numbers of people doing that. Previous visits I have made to Bangkok were quite short so there were several things I had hoped to see and do however traffic lives up to its congested reputation. What I saw was enough.

The view of 'Golden Mountain' stupa from the grounds of Wat Saket. The great standing Buddha in the Wat Saket image hall. Aj. Kusalo & Gavesako. Looking across down-town Bangkok from the top of 'Golden Mountain' stupa. The Emerald Buddha at Wat Phra Kaew in the Royal Palace. The King's Parliament (part of Dusit Palace) - as distinct from the general parliament. The main entrance of the old Royal residence in Dusit Palace. The 'chapel of rest' in the grounds of the Grand Palace. The Golden Buddha in the main image hall at Wat Traimit. Weighing in at 5.5 tons! The perimeter ambulatory at Wat Suthat. Note the reclining figure under the fan.