Travel in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The early 1990s, a special encounter with Zodiac, a Florida Panther

In the beautiful wisdom within Stellar Nations – Soul Families,   The Cosmic Chronicles of the Milky Way Galaxy, the Stellar Nation of the Dragon reveals a mission of Liltianes Draco – in stellar language, “the Heart of the Warrior”.  The Stellar Nation of the Great Felines reveals Holanoy Pha – meaning “Keepers of the Heart of Freedom”.

At many, if not most of the temples in Thailand, the first gatekeepers are the dragons stretching upwards from the bottom stairway to landings of entry for prayer before the Buddha. Yet, at Wat Palad Temple, there is such an interesting story quietly playing out in the stairways to the main temple.

Wat Palad Temple is hidden in the mountains behind Chiang Mai, along with the pilgrimage path on the way to impressive Doi Suthep Temple, much higher on the mountain.  Wat Palad is a gem with the original stupa dating back over 800 years.

Temple of Wat Palad, Chiang Mai Video 

The story of the dragon was received from a young monk and it goes briefly like this. At the beginning of  Buddha walking the path, the dragon encounters him and is impressed by his peace. He wanted to be like him and become human. Buddha said this path is only for humans, not for dragons as they cannot become human. The dragon was not satisfied and so he told the Buddha that he will wait and listen to his teachings from outside at the entrance to the temple, he will not leave. The Buddha agreed, yet says he, dragon, will have to eat and drink to survive. It was in this time that serpent heard of the concern and agreed to help. As he is a creature of transformation and continually regenerates,  he would be attached to the dragon to supply nourishment, and he too could take in the teachings of the Buddha. If you look closely at the dragon heads and then to the body stretching out, there is a change in style and texture. It does, in fact, look like the dragon maybe consuming the serpent!

Dragon Stairway

From the video:  On the next landing sitting at the bottom of the stairway are the great lions. In the Stellar Nation of the Winged Lion, “Leonthay Phi” represents the Heart of Power.  Thus so far, the warrior, freedom, and power are holding space.

Reaching the top of this stairway, stepping onto the terrace, there is an elephant, the great rememberer,  with raised trunk, the initiates, both male and female and then the holders of the tools of wisdom. From here, moving past a simple temple up to the main temple, to the left there is the original stupa with lions protecting four corners.

Entry to the main temple is held by what appears to be porcelain white androgynous beings with serpent bodies leading up the stairway.  What began at the lower stairway as the fiery dragons, now are seen as a mix of light male and female beings, perhaps created or evolved through the teachings of the Buddha.

I don’t know if the story explanation from the monk and my interpretations are correct. However, in the energy of Wat Palad, it felt right in a simple way. The people here are gentle, quiet, industrious, courteous, polite and patient for the most part. Even the traffic rules flow with a respect for drivers and pedestrians alike, it is quite remarkable.

Could the reason for this symbolic story also be a metaphor for the times we are living in now and an example of direction to evolve through in peace? With correct use, the Heart of the Warrior will honor the Keepers of the Heart of Freedom in the majesty of the Heart of Power, remembered from the past and now passed onto the Initiates following the path to learn, hold and balance living life (as male and female) through the teachings of the Buddha and Creator. 

No matter the reasons, storytelling is the connection to the past, the present, and the future…..our role is choosing a future, viewed in the present, learned from the past!