Gaining this access was done by building trust over a period of time. I would give the monks disks of the photographs I made and the monks soon could tell that I was interested in them as people, and curious about Thai Buddhism. I can’t understate how important this was, rather than the average Farang tourist who looks at them as acuriosity, It became apparent to them I was truly interested in them as people, as beautiful human beings.Through translations with my wife acting as interpreter, I was able to explain to the rural community here that life in America is much different than this. In America there are many religions and for most practicing their faith is not done in public. So Americans are very curious about Thai monks and Thai Buddhism, which is a part of the daily lives of the Thai people. Americans are surprised to learn that in Thailand the majority of men become monks sometime during their lives. This commitment that makes merit for the man’s family and especially the mother is something that is not done in any religion in America. In the western world becoming a priest is a lifelong commitment, whereas in Thailand men become monks for a few weeks or months, and children also can become novice monks for a short while