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The story of the building
of the big Sala in the Forest Monastery of Baan Taad
Udon Thani, 41000 Thailand
from December 2000 to June 2001
Luangta explains the following in his talk on the 4th of May 2001:
Look, at the moment outside the gate, they are building the big Sala.
I never would have thought to build something like this,
but it became necessary, because of my involvement
in the project to help the Thai nation
Masses of people from all over Thailand are now coming here,
in order to help themselves and the Thai nation.
They are looking for a place they can have faith in.
Just like this monastery
Nothing other than the monastery of Baan Taad.
The whole field is crowded with people, and when
there is a thunderstorm and it rains, the people get drenched.
I observe this and how can I not think about a solution?
Before, under no circumstances would I have allowed something like this.
Just think about it. This Sala, they asked 4 times to renew it.
Each time I reprimanded them heavily and did not allow it.
But I have given permission to raise the Sala,
so that there will be 2 floors (Reason: he can hardly go up the stairs)
They wanted to remodel my kuti 8 times!
They wanted to improve and enlarge it to live up to my reputation.
Living up to the reputation of Luangta Maha Bua.
Building a large kuti for me!
I never allowed it, only reprimanded them, I always prohibited it.
And on the 8th time I gave them a good telling off.
Really reprimanded them harshly: You don't respect the words of your own Teacher!
Really knocked them to their senses, so that finally they've given up. Only then it stopped.
Look, then they wanted to build a big Sala!
Nothing more about my kuti, but now
they started quietly digging a tunnel from my kuti to over there! That's how it is.
But now I'm OK with it, for the situation calls for it.
People coming from all over the country get drenched and it is uncomfortable.
This Sala is all we have. If there is a big event, then this is too small by far.
If there are so many people attending, then we have to organize it outside.
I thought about it and investigated it thoroughly.
And reached the conclusion, that it is necessary to build a new Sala.
And it came in handy that at the same time there was a request
for permission to build a new Sala.
The owner of Red Bull came here with his whole family,
to seek permission for a construction.
He had the same thoughts as I
and therefore we could agree.
He asked for permission to build the Sala
He already bought the wood for it 2 or 3 years ago.
He told me: “I hope not to be a nuisance, for I know that up until now you have
never allowed anything to be built”
He wanted to build it for these big events that take place.
There we found a common ground.
That's why he asked for the permission to construct a new Sala.
Because he respected my views on construction, he did not want to build it here,
not in the field in front of the gate, but hidden over there...
And if it proves necessary, the people could then stay over there.
He said this himself.
He didn't say he'd build the Sala in front of the monastery, but over there...
He wanted to build the Sala to make it more comfortable
for the masses of people who attend these big events!
We discussed it back and forth and he agreed with my ideas.
Therefore I said: “If you have enough confidence and
you can build the Sala without any problems, and manage it financially
then I give you permission for construction.” That's what I said.
He instantly replied: “Oh, I have not the slightest problem with it,
not in the least any financial problems.” He said that with full optimism.
I replied: “If he wants to build the Sala
then build it in front of the monastery Gate, for building it hidden over there
does not make any sense.
We build it for the people!”
He had only said it, for he respected my views,
and therefore did not dare to build it in front of the monastery gate.
But I gave him the opportunity: “If we build it, then we build it here!
In front of the monastery gate.”
I asked him if he had an idea about the size of the building.
But when building it, then here and not over there!
When the guests arrive, then they will arrive here, therefore we will build it here as well.
How long and wide do you intend to make the Sala?
He replied, 15m wide and 55m long.
Isn't it Pugumkap? -Yes-
So 15m wide and 55m long.
I replied instantly: “That's too small”
I therefore proposed the following:
Width 30m and length 60m.
He shouted “sadhu!” (it is well).
Instantly, he shouted “sadhu!”
That's what we agreed upon.
Now the Sala has a width of 30m.
The width of 15m doubled
and the length increased from 55m to 60m.
That's the reason why it became that big.
As you can see, they've already started with the construction.
The reason why it has slowed down for the moment, is
that the wood for pillars are coming from Laos.
We need to get the permission from both countries.
We can't just do it the way we like, can we?
The moment both countries agree, then we can continue.
The wood has to be hauled over and that is what makes it slow.
There's a lack of wood for the pillars, we need more of them
and that's why we need to request them.
And that will take time.
Otherwise we would be finished by now.
The missing pillars are the reason, but the moment they start arriving
they can continue working.
The owner is hurrying everything to finish it
for the Kathina ceremony -
the coming Kathina ceremony.
He is convinced that everything will be finished on time.
He would have finished it before, but there was the missing wood
for the pillars, that caused the delay.
Otherwise everything would be finished by now.
That's the story of the construction of this new Sala.
I had it thoroughly investigated; the amount of money needed,
so that no problems would arise while constructing the Sala.
And this is certainly not cheap!
But he assured me that it would not strain him,
and he had awaited this opportunity for so long now!
He is completely prepared for it.
That's why I gave him the permission.
I left everything up to him, so that he can take full responsibility for everything.
He together with Khun Tanae from Nongkhai. They are working together.
The latter looks after the building materials coming from Laos and from here.
The former looks after the coordination and organization.
That's the story of the construction of the big Sala.
I'd have never dreamed that something like this could happen.
Construction work on 23 February 2001
The big events in the last 3 years took place on
the still recognizable filled in rice fields
Though the Construction work already started in December 2000
videos of the construction work were only made since February 2001
Construction work on 23 February 2001
Construction work on 5 May 2001
Construction work on 12 May 2001
Construction work on 19 May 2001
A kuti in the inner monastery. At a later date, a kuti for the youngest princess was built here.
towards the inner Sala
Construction work on 26 May 2001
The inner gate to the monastery
The inner Sala
Construction work on 13 June 2001
The construction of the Sala was finished in time for the Kathina ceremony in October 2001
The completely finished big Sala in the year 2003