Friday, July 4, 2008

Hello, Buddha?

Buddhism is so integrated into the culture in Thailand that you can find Buddha in the most unlikely places. In the taxi yesterday, the driver had a collection of pink phone cards worth 150 baht each with images of reclining Buddhas. The lying down position of Buddha represents the inner peace that Buddha experienced when he became enlightened. And, I remember hearing somewhere that Buddha didn't need to sleep much, but that he would lie down and meditate. The reclining Buddha on the phone cards reminds me of how I like to I lie down and talk on the phone. Sometimes phone conversations can be pretty enlightening, too.