CHIANG RAI, Thailand -- To all students of Buddhism, the terms "Mahayana" and "Theravada" -- the greater and lesser vehicle, respectively -- reflect the dichotomy of this great teaching into northern and southern schools.
The former is embraced in countries such as China, Korea and Japan. The latter dominates Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and others. But in the midst of Thailand's Therevadin spiritual landscape exists a curious enclave of Mahayanist temples.
In one area of the infamous Golden Triangle near Chiang Rai, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the convergence of three borders belonging to Thailand, Myanmar and Laos. The area is a notoriously sensitive region, with a long tradition of opium production and other drug crops. Now, thanks to the praiseworthy effort of the late princess mother of Thail, the mother of the present king, efforts are being made to introduce substitute drug crops with commercial crops with the goal of eradicating the drug trade and developing the picturesque but very poor area.