Thailand

High above Chian Mai on a mountaintop, Doi Suthep, a golden Buddhist temple, Wat Phara Tat Doi Suthep, glistens in the sunlight, 5,500 feet above the valley and city below. A cable car or the 300 step Dragon Stairs gives access to the beautiful temple porch with many big brass bells and a wonderful view. The inner court with temples, facing north, south, east and west, houses the relic of the Buddha and magnificent gold and jade images.

The site for the temple was picked by a White Elephant that climbed the mountain; something that apparently elephants simply do not do. The sacred elephant was chosen by the King, Keu Na and the Abbot to pick the site for a temple to house the relic. There was political advantage to establishing a temple: “It affirms our sovereignty over the Kingdom of Lan Na. Better than walls of brick, our temples stand as walls of belief against our enemies.” The King and Abbot looked for a sign from the elephant as to where to place the temple, which the elephant provided by dying from the exertion of the climb to the top.

A century later Ayutthaya annexed Lan Na as a client state. To this day Siam remains an authoritarian parliamentary monarchy, closely allied with Buddhism and with a fortunate succession of very active and gifted Royal Families, who lead more than rule, with wisdom and peace. Read this charming tale of the White Elephant.