Monks of Smoke
Nov 14th, 2009 by Abdul Ghani
As I walked into the Buddhist temple, the Oud smoke was pouring out of the front door. The sky was overcast, with strong winds. The red and yellow flags on the front porch of the temple blew in the wind and boldly contrasted the gray sky.
I saw Ashoka as soon as I walked in. He quickly greeted me with a smile and a slight bow, and told me he was looking for me. I shook his hand and smiled.
Ashoka is a gentle, bald monk in red robes. He has tan skin and is about 5′5 in height. Our appearance contrasts dramatically, as I am 6′1 with a thick black beard, full sleeve shirt, long pants, and kufi. As I noticed our differences, I thought how Oud is what has caused us to cross paths. Fragrance is something that has no material limits, and is beyond all six directions.
He extended his arm, indicating that I should proceed to the main hall. Like yesterday, I saw the massive statue of the Buddha. Today there were more monks at the temple than lay people and all were engaged in prayers. I asked Ashoka what was the reason for this and he told me that this is a “ceremony for non-violence”. These monks gather every two months at this temple to pray for peace around the world.
Some of the monks were holding incense braziers and others were holding incense sticks. From the front of the hall, there was a sheet of slow moving smoke that swayed with the movements of the monks. There were deep sounds of different chants that caused me to ask Ashoka what language they were speaking. He told me that they were reciting traditional prayers for peace in the Sanskrit language.
The aroma was overwhelming. If the world could smell it, there would be world peace. I asked where the Oud was from. Ashoka told me that it is mostly from Malaysia and Indonesia. I asked him how the temple could afford this high quality Oud. He told me this is an endowment from the religious councils who give it to the praying monks.
Ashoka offered to give me an incense stick, but I declined. I had come simply to observe the ceremony and understand the position of Oud in their traditional rituals. Certainly, this ancient Far Eastern bark has a position in their society that is alive and well. The cost and abundance of their Oud indicates that. Also, since it is a symbol of virtue in their religion, it doesn’t seem that this society will lessen its love and passion for Oud any time soon.
This certainly indicates that there will have to be an increase in Oud cultivation. This is done by taking an Aquilaria from the region and injecting it with the fungal infection. As a response, the tree will begin to produce Oud. Each tree will produce its own kind of Oud and emanate its own distinct fragrance.
Tomorrow I will go the city and discover the Oud found in the markets of Burma.