With the cremation of the old Thai King, Rama IX, scheduled for tomorrow in Bangkok, Ann and I went to the Wat Buddharangsee in Stanmore to pay our respects. This temple is not to be confused, though I am sure it is, with the Wat Buddharansee in Annandale, a short distance away. Both are established in beautiful old properties, with a newish building at the rear of each house accommodating the actual prayer and liturgical space, where services are held. In Thailand, this is called the wihan, though I am not sure it applies in these cases.

I use the word service advisedly because it is quite unlike a Christian liturgy, while at the same time having some similar elements of structure and purpose. There is an order to the liturgy, with prayers and chanting (in Pali), a talk by one of the residing monks, and blessings. It has a beginning, middle, and an end and there is a place for offerings (to the monks) and money for the temple and other projects.

Yesterday we didn't attend the service though we have often done so at the larger Wat Buddharangsee in Annandale. Instead we did some devotional things, such as lighting incense, rubbing gold leaf on sacred objects and offering a paper bouquet before a portrait of the late King. Later we took a couple of obligatory photos and headed into the city for lunch. I really enjoy these places (much as I also like churches) and come away feeling a greater sense of purpose. Whenever we leave the placid temple gates, the maelstrom awaits, but we are usually the stronger for it.