grew vegetables, and planted trees for reforestation. They were committed
to the creation of a self-sustaining Buddhist-based community
by engaging in natural farming and raising cows, goats, and other farm
animals. They planted part of the land with herbal plants for the purpose
of making traditional herbal medicines. They tried to preserve
forest trees and wild animals and were careful to prevent forest fires.
Buddhist meditation retreats were held in the community from time
to time. The community also produced paintings as well as books on
Buddhism and spirituality.
In 1992 the Riverside School, a school for children from poor
families, was established. Paiboon Teepakorn, the leader of the community,
was convinced that the right form of education is an important
factor in altering the way people think and in creating a new direction
for society. Besides being taught the formal curriculum, the students
were given occupational training in animal husbandry, organic farming,
local handicrafts, and some technical skills, as well as training
in Buddhist ethics and local culture. After their training, the students
were supposed to return to their villages and help their own communities.
After visiting the Thamkaenchan community in December 1992,
James Halloran, an Irish Catholic priest, reported: