Buddhism is an essential part of what Thailand is and you can’t get to know the country without knowing Buddhism. You can read books or articles on the internet (like this one) but still, the best way is to go to the source.

If you want to talk to a Buddhist monk, you should learn Thai. There is an easier way, though. Just find a friendly English-speaking monk. Here is our guide how to do it.  

Monks chanting in Wat Phra Singh Temple, Chiang Mai © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Monk chats in Chiang Mai and Bangkok

Some temples in Thailand offer foreigners the chance to join monk chats where monks will willingly answer all your questions. Usually, these are young students from a Buddhist school who practice their English while giving you an insight to their life.

One of the most popular places to join a monk chat is in Chiang Mai. Go to Wat Chedi Luang Temple (from 9 to 18) or Wat Suan Dok (from 17 to 19) and look for the benches with monks waiting to talk to foreigners. You can ask them anything – from the basics of Buddhism to general questions about life in Thailand. Your satisfaction from the conversation will depend on the monk’s level of English (and yours, too). Even though monks are not allowed to touch or approach women, gender is not an issue if you want to speak with them. 

As of 2017, there are no monk chats in Bangkok.

Monk chat at Wat Chedi Luang Temple, Chiang Mai © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Friendly monks

Many of the Thai Buddhist monks know a little English (often very basic, though) and most of them will be happy to talk to you.

I saw an elderly Buddhist monk taking photos in the Chiang Mai Wat Pra That Doi Suthep temple (or simply Doi Suthep) and I approached him wanting to show him a beautiful angle to shoot the building. He smiled at me and asked me in broken English where I was from. That’s how we started chatting and he tried to squeeze the essence of Buddhism in three sentences for me. We are calm inside, he said, but distractions coming through our eyes, ears, nose, mouth, and mind sabotage our innate serenity. That’s where suffering comes from. So we should always follow the middle way – neither too much positivity, nor too much negativity.

“But you seem really happy,” my Western mind insisted. “Yes, yes, true. Sometimes it is possible to be happy,” he answered.

In the end, we took a selfie together and he gave me his email address to send him the photo (in case you are curious, he did reply to my email a few weeks later).

As there are no designated monk chats in Bangkok, finding an English-speaking monk at a temple is your only chance to get answers to your questions.

To make it easier, here is a list of the 5 best temples to visit in Bangkok (especially if you are short of time).

Detail from Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand © Maria Angelova/www.203challenges.com

Live with monks in a Buddhist temple

One of the main obstacles preventing you from staying at any temple or monastery in Thailand is the language barrier. Not the rules, as Buddhism is open to every religion. Since more and more foreigners are interested in getting a deeper knowledge of Buddhism, there are now some temples that organize retreats and meditation sessions in English. When choosing one make sure it is a temple with monks, not a retreat wellness center so that you have an authentic experience.

Your stay could vary from a few hours (meditation only) to months. A nice two-week stay is offered by Wat Sriboonruang Temple in Chiang Mai (website here).

Read more: Unusual and amazing places to stay in Thailand.

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Go to the spring of the river Ganges, India

They say more than 10 million people walk the way to the sacred water every year. Those who are determined to reach the very spring, need to go to the western part of the Himalayas. For Indian Hindus, the Ganges embodies divinity and purity. Legend has it that the waters of the river purify all sins of the people who touch it.

>>> Read more: 25 quotes about India explaining why everyone loves it

Walk or bike Camino de Santiago, France/Spain

The Camino de Santiago, also known as El Camino, is a religious route attracting more and more enthusiasts. The unforgettable journey may continue for more than one month, starting from France through the Pyrenees and crossing the whole of Spain. The last point is the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, as it is believed that St. James’s remains were buried there. The length of the route may vary, depending on where you start. The route from France to the famous cathedral is almost 800 km (497 mi).

Visit Medina, Saudi Arabia

Medina is a holy Muslim city, the second most important city after Mecca. Medina attracts millions of pilgrims every year, because it contains the remains of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. In Medina, you can see the three oldest mosques in the world, one of which is the Prophet’s Mosque.

Walk the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, Peru

The Inca Trail consists of three trails – Mollepata (six or seven days), Classic (four or five days), and One Day. Regardless of which trail you choose, you will see many ruins of the Inca civilization before reaching Machu Picchu Mountain itself. Concerns about overuse, harming the nature and the historical sites along the way, led the Peruvian government to limit the number of tourists allowed to hike this trail to 200 per day. As a result, advance booking is mandatory. More information here.

>>> Read more: 8 unique things to do in Peru for first-time visitors

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Demir Baba Тeke has been considered a holy place in Bulgaria for 3,000 years – since the time of the ancient Thracians. The peculiar shrine nestled in greenery welcomes everyone, regardless of their religion, to be enchanted by a number of local legends.

Who was Demir Baba?

Demir Baba was an Alevi saint, a wise man and healer. The Alevis are followers of an isolated branch of Islam, famous for its tolerance towards all other religions. For example, these spiritual people describe the difference between their religion and Christianity as no thicker than “onion skin”.

Demir Baba Teke, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/203challenges.com

What you will see (+ some terminology)

Turbe – a heptagonal tomb

Teke (or khanqah, riban) – a holy place featuring a turbe of an Alevi saint

The turbe is Demir Baba’s tomb. It is built between two rocks, which once served as a Thracian sanctuary. Check out the house next to the tomb, where a small museum offers information about the Alevis and the life of Demir Baba.

If you are searching for God, go, look for him in man – Demir Baba

Demir Baba Teke, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/203challenges.com

The rituals

You can participate in the many rituals that still take place here. Legend has it that in one dry year, Demir Baba touched a rock with his palm. Water started flowing from the rock, creating the spring that now bubbles in the teke`s yard. Wash yourself three times and drink from the water (it is clean). Then, on the way to the teke, tie a cloth to a tree branch for good health. Look for the rock to the left of the turbe; people believe that if they lie here with their head down, then stand up without using their hands, they will be healthy. To the left of the building there is a wall with two holes. Stand a few steps away from the holes and, with your eyes closed, point to them with your index fingers. This tradition is known as “stabbing the witch’s eyes out”. According to the legend, only the righteous succeed.

Stabbing the witch;s eyes at Demir Baba Teke, Bulgaria | © Maria Angelova/203challenges.com

See also…

Demir Baba teke is part of Sboryanovo Archeological Reserve, which also includes a UNESCO world heritage site – the Thracian Tomb of Sveshtari. Also of interest in the region are the remains of Helis, an ancient Thracian town from the 4th or 3rd century BC, believed to have been the capital of the Getae tribe. Make sure you go to the plateau above the teke to appreciate splendid panoramic views. If you want to see everything, it’s a good idea to spend a whole day in the area. It’s not too far between sights, but it’s best to have a car or a bike.

Useful information

You can visit the teke at any time. It is 12 km from the town of Isperih, passing through the villages of Dragomazh and Malak Porovets. The road through the village of Sveshtari is the same length – 1.5 km from Isperih you will see a sign at the turn-off from the Isperih-Ruse road. Park your car by the grass area, where you’ll see summer houses and Thracian excavations, then take the stairs down to the teke. For more information: Historical Museum of Isperih – +359 8431/4783, www.museumisperih.com (in Bulgarian only, you will have to use Google Translate), www.getika.com.

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India is a country of deep spirituality and colourful festivals. You might have heard about the spectacular Holi and Diwali festivals but there are many more worth the trip. Although the Ganesh Chaturthi festival is not so popular among foreigners, it is one of the best ways to experience the authentic Indian culture and get blessing for your safe travels.

Here is what Mariellen Ward, a blogger and a well-known expert on travel in India, says about it:

Who is god Ganesha

Ganesha is the beloved elephant-headed god, a favourite throughout India, and Ganesh Chaturthi is the festival that honours him. It runs for 11 days in late August or September, depending on the cycle of the moon. This year (2017) it starts on August 25.

Images of Ganesh are made throughout the year and displayed during the 10-day festival. On the 11th day, called Anant Chaturdasi, the images are paraded through the streets, accompanied by singing and dancing, and finally immersed in the sea.

How to celebrate it

During the festival, Ganesha statues are displayed all over the city, with communities competing with each other. The displays feature music, dancing and feasting.

Top tip

The size of the crowds make Ganesh Chaturthi a daunting undertaking. Visit the 2017 Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Guide and consider taking a tour.

Where to celebrate

While Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in about five states, Mumbai is probably the best place to experience it. Thousands of statues are displayed around the city, and devotees gather at Siddhivinayak Temple. The procession to the sea for immersion — called Visarjan — is truly a spectacle to behold.

*Mariellen Ward is an award-winning professional travel writer. She owns one of the world’s leading independent travel blogs about India – Breathedreamgo, where you can read the whole article about Top 5 festivals of India for foreign visitors.

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