Problem Wisdom

17 November 1993 Without naam [water] humans die, without naamjay [water heart] the society dies In the Thai language, 'naam' means 'water' and 'jay' means heart. The expression 'naam jay' does not have an equivalent in English, and translated word for word means 'water heart'. The real meaning of 'naam jay', however, is 'compassion' or 'charity'. In Problem - Wisdom the artist has used the Thai language in an often personal and at times poetic way to express complex ideas and moral values. The artist uses the pun with the word 'naam' and the expression 'naam jay' to imply that charity and compassion for one another are vital to society, as water is vital to life. 6 November 1993 To keep water clean we have to start with cleansing our hearts 7 November 1993 Virtue influences fate 8 November 1993 Medicine advances but people still die 9 November 1993 Where do you go when you die? 10 November 1993 Don't look at people·s appearances, look at their actions 11 November 1993 Money becomes an amulet 12 November 1993 Abad monk reflects on that person, not on religion 13 November 1993 Labour is cheap but don't look down on labour 14 November 1993 The sun is the source of energy and life, like the mind 15 November 1993 Buddha statue is just a reminder to do good things 16 November 1993 The ear cannot bear the truth, only a quiet heart can 17 November 1993 Without naam [water] humans die, without naam jay [water heart] the society dies 18 November 1993 Aperfect society must help those who are not perfect 19 November 1993 Stop the bomb in your heart first 20 November 1993 Are you sure you can escape suffering by suicide? If your heart suffers why don't you kill the problem in your heart first? 21 November 1993 Humans are objects with spirit 22 November 1993 Truth is in the speaker's heart, not in the words 23 November 1993 Humans are not different from animals if they cannot control their passion and lust 24 November 1993 All problems are interrelated, that is why you have to solve your own problem first 4 11 December 1993 Giving is happiness, just receiving is suffering This papier mache sculpture represents a giving hand. Giving and generosity at a material and spiritual level are very important in the Buddhist way of life. Buddhist monks often canry their collection bowls, in which people make offerings of money or goods. This is a way in which the monks offer people the opportunity to give, so the act of collecting takes a religious dimension and is not a form of begging, as it is often misunderstood by visitors to Thailand. 25 November 1993 By nature man and woman are equal 26 November 1993 Different classes, different nations, not different humanity 27 November 1993 There are many mysteries beyond human knowledge 28 November 1993 Things can be useful or harmful, be aware how to use them 29 November 1993 Misunderstanding love creates selfish minds 30 November 1993 Lying to your heart is the beginning of!ying to others 1December 1993 One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel 2 December 1993 Too much of anything is harmful