This picture was taken when I went back to Thailand in 2002, and I had a chance to visit Ayudthaya (the old capital city of Thailand). It used to be one of the greatest city in Asia around 400 years ago. During the highest of its civilization, the European who traveled to Ayudthaya during that time called it the Golden City because temples and palaces were decorated with gold and jewels.

After this city was sacked down by its nemesis: the Burmese army; around 300 years ago, it was burned down to the ground. Nothing but ruin was left. However, those ruin is the evidence of Thai civilization that once influcenced the whole South East Asia..

This picture is one of my favourites, since it always reminds me of what the Buddha has taught more than 2000 years ago that everything is temporary and life is a cycle. It happens, grows, matures and eventually declines.