THAILAND -- For the past five years, the Venerable Phra Prachak, abbott of
Hua Nuru Phut Buddhist monastery in Eastern Thailand, has been saving trees
by "ordaining" them --wrapping tree trunks with strips of saffron doth the
golden color of a monk's robes. In this traditionally Buddhist country,
even destitute, desperate loggers are reluctant to sink their saws into
these "sanctified" trees.

Despite some success using this deterrent, Thailand's remaining forests are
still disappearing. For this reason, Phra Prachak agreed last February to
lead a group of westerners on a "Deep Ecology and Buddhism Jungle Trek"
through Eastern Thailand, near the Cambodian border. The trek was sponsored
by the International Network of Engaged Buddhists (INEB), an organization
of religious activists.

Participants from Burma, Germany, New Zealand, Thailand, the UK and the US
joined Phra Prachak, seven monks, three nun s and a dozen or so local
villagers (many of whom were former loggers) in a week-long journey winding
more than 30 miles through the Talpan National Park and the Dong Yai
National Forest.

Twirling a green stem in his hand, Phra Prachak told the group, "I am the
leaf. We are leaves. They neither possess, nor control, nor take more than
they require. We must learn to be leaves." Participants agreed that the
trek would proceed in silence-- the better to see, hear and experience the
jungle.

Throughout the trip we saw abundant signs of elephants-- giant footprints,
huge droppings and uprooted saplings. Tigers and bears roam this forest
region as well.

Each day began at 5:30 with silent meditation, followed by tea and
porridge. Water was limited and no food was eaten after the noon hour (Thai
monks and nuns eat no food between noon and sunrise). As the day heated up,
the trek would stop for dharma talks by Phra Prachak. During these rest
breaks, a New Zealand forest activist working on the Burmese border and an
American working on Thai jungle ecology issues also discussed their
efforts. After one discussion, Phra Prachak exclaimed, "This talk is
delicious for the heart!"

Both Buddhism and Deep Ecology stress the need for change and personal
responsibility. During the evening "Council of All Beings" sessions, we
spoke for the silent ones-- the tiger, condor, ant, bee, redwood and teak.
At one point, an elder village headman roared out of the darkness, "I am
elephant!" A monk spoke for the beleaguered water buffalo. The group grew
closer in the darkness, feeling our shared plight.

As the trip drew to a close, the lush tangle of trees, vines and birdsong
gave way to areas slashed, burned and converted into eucalyptus plantations
for the paper-pulp industry.

Despite the fact that Thailand's 1988 logging ban is being ignored while
local officials are bribed to look the other way, Phra Prachak remains
committed to saving the forest. The monk's latest strategy involves
creating a"weaving village" that will allow local villagers to weave silk
doth as a means to reduce reliance on logging.

* What You Can Do: Ask that Thailand enforce its logging ban by writing to:
His Majesty, King Bumiphol Adulyadej, Chitlada Palace, Bangkok 10500,
Thailand and Honorable Chuan Leekpai, Prime Minister of Thailand,
Government House, Nakhorn Pathom Pd., Bangkok 10300, Thailand. Donations
may be directed to Phra Prachak c/o INEB, 127 Soi Santipap, Nares Rd.,
Bangkok 10500, Thailand.

PHOTO (BLACK & WHITE): monks as their stress the need for change and
personal responsibility.

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By Jess River
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