127th INTG Meeting – A talk and slide presentation by Hans Bänziger The talk, illustrated by a fine collection of vivid slides showing minute detail and punctuated by the unique and educational humor of Hans, went like this: The Lady Slipper is a deceptive flower, inducing insects to pollinate her without offering nectar as a reward. It … Read more
126th INTG Meeting – A talk by Sirichai Narumit Ajaan Sirichai told of Chiang Mai past [loved], present [raped] and future [hopefully, a marriage of love]. “This city used to be so charming, so well known for its quality.” 1996 will be Chiang Mai’s 700th anniversary, and these are today’s statistics: Up to 50 years ago, Chiang Mai … Read more
123rd INTG Meeting – A talk by Donald Swearer Donald Swearer’s research has focused on the chronicles of sacred mountains and other religious sites in Northern Thailand, such as ‘Phra Chao Liep Lok’ [the Lord Buddha wanders or tours the world], dating from the 15th century on. Buddha tamnan cover a wide variety of texts and take their … Read more
108th INTG Meeting – A talk by Ron Renard Summary of the Talk In the early Southeast Asian world there were basically two classes of people: the Tai who lived in cities and towns (and considered themselves civilized) and the Kha who lived in the forest (and were considered by the Tai to be uncivilized). … Read more
103rd INTG Meeting – A talk by M.R. Smansnid Svasti M.R. Smansnid, or Nunie, was brought up in England before returning to Thailand and was already aware of forest destruction before meeting Ajaan [Phra] Pongsak – until recently the abbot of Wat Pa-lad on Doi Suthep. Dense forests in the mountains allow rains to soak into the soil, and … Read more
70th INTG Meeting – A talk and slide presentation by Vithi Phanichphant Ajaan Vithi’s talk was illustrated throughout by a fine collection of slides of murals, interspersed with spontaneous and humorously penetrating remarks. These murals, previously decorating the walls of a one hundred year old Shan-style temple/pavilion in Wiang Ta Village, midway between Lampang and … Read more
69th INTG Meeting – A talk by Ann Hill Ann Hill discussed the various ethnic groups living in the Sipsongpanna [often written Xishuangbanna] region in southern China, with particular emphasis on: 1) stratification, 2) community, 3) kinship, 4) policy, and 5) relations with other states. She drew on extensive research from two people who have studied … Read more
62nd INTG Meeting – A talk by John Cadet This exhaustive study is based on the translation of a Thai version of the world’s longest extant religious epic, the Buddhist Jataka (Birth Story) of the above title. The 547 Jataka Tales – according to Rhys Davids comprising “the most reliable, the most complete, and the most ancient … Read more
