As I stood at the Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok, I couldn’t help but notice a Buddhist monk sitting with a mask on. His serene face belied the potential turmoil that must have been going on in his mind. I watched him for a while, wondering what thoughts must be racing through his head.
The sign board on his left reminded me that I was in Bangkok, one of the most bustling cities in the world. But the monk’s demeanor was calm, as if he were in his own world, oblivious to the chaos surrounding him.
He carried a small bag with him, containing all his belongings. I couldn’t help but wonder where he was headed next. Was he going to another temple to continue his practice or was he on a personal journey? The possibilities were endless.
As I waited for 20 minutes to capture this particular shot, I realized how much the monk’s demeanor resonated with the teachings of Buddhism. The religion emphasizes on being present in the moment and detaching oneself from materialistic possessions. The monk’s small bag was a testament to this.
The shot captured a moment in time, frozen in the hustle and bustle of a busy train station. It made me ponder on the transient nature of life and how each person has their own journey to follow. The monk’s calm presence was a reminder that we all have the ability to find peace within ourselves, no matter the chaos that surrounds us.
As I walked away, I couldn’t help but wonder where the monk was headed next. But perhaps that was not for me to know. His journey was his own, just as ours is ours. The shot was a beautiful reminder of the beauty of life’s journeys, and the importance of being present in every moment.