Goodbye Monk Gordon – You Will be Missed at Thamkrabok
Phra Gordon Thamkrabok
I received some sad news that Phra Gordon from Thamkrabok died in hospital last week. This was one of the monks who helped me escape addiction, and he was one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. He devoted three decades of his life to helping addicts and it is hard to imagine Thamkrabok without him.
Phra Gordon Was Not a Typical Monk
When I first met Phra Gordon I didn’t know what to make of him. He was in charge of the sauna area at Thamkrabok. All of us addicts would be shepherded there each day to boil; even though the outside heat was already enough to fry eggs with. He spoke to everyone as if he had known them all their lives. His American accent was a bit out of place in the middle of rural Thailand – especially as he could be so loud. It was impossible to ignore his humour though, and his jokes took our minds away from addiction withdrawal symptoms. Just seeing his frame in the distance was enough to bring a smile to my face.
The story of how Phra Gordon ended up as a monk at the temple is remarkable. He was once a soldier for hire who would fight for any army that would pay him enough. He admitted that he killed many men during his career. He was on his way to join another army when he found himself at Thamkrabok temple. This was not a planned visit, but the bus he was travelling on experienced 4 flat tyres right outside the temple. While he was waiting for the wheels to be fixed he went for a walk and met the head monk. To his amazement this stranger in Buddhist robes informed Gordon that he was expected and that he would now be joining the temple. For some reason Gordon accepted the revelation and ordained. He had no intention of staying there so long but the time never felt right to leave – he would often say this.
My Visits to Thamkrabok
After curing my alcohol addiction at Thamkrabok I continued to visit from time to time. This was easy for me because I lived in a nearby city. I would have visited more often, but I always felt a bit out of place. If it wasn’t for Phra Gordon I probably would have stopped visiting altogether. He was always there to welcome me and on a lot of occasions he would be the only person I’d speak to. He would tell me all the gossip at the temple. There was something a bit therapeutic about being around him, and I always felt better about life walking away from our conversations.
It is hard to imagine Phra Gordon dead as he was so full of life before. His size made him appear a bit indestructible and his positive nature felt like an unbreakable force. He helped a lot of people. I like to sometimes think that we reap the rewards of our good deeds even after we die. If this is true then Gordon has a lot to look forward to.
Here is a video of Phra Gordon where he talks about his life. It also features Gary; an ex-patient who died last year. Thanks to Phra Eric for posting this on YouTube.
in the US
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What a great story. Gordon sort of reminds me of a Southern Baptist preacher.
Hi Catherine, he had a lot of charisma and he would have made a great preacher.
It is very sad that such a good man has to go so early!!
I still believe he is watching us from above!
Gorden let you soul rest in peace, we will miss you!
Forever in my heart and mind!
Hi Becky, I think his good actions will keep him alive for a lot of people.
Are there any places like this in Thailand who are doing work with physical/emotional abuse recovery?
Hi Gene, I’m not sure about that. There are plenty of meditation temples, but I would imagine that anyone who has suffered that type of abuse would require counselling as well.
Thanks for your account, I had also written a tribute on another personal friend Prah Greg http://vanishingflynn.blogspot.com/2011/04/rehab-in-paradise.html And I have had many personal dealings with Prah Gordon, who put up with my antics, miss them both dearly, and sorry I couldn’t visit Gordon in Saraburri, I was just in Thailand recently. But i didn’t know he was sick. Will follow and read you, keep up the mission. One step at a time. Regards The One Who is Still Learning
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That is a nice article about Phra Greg. I remember him well from my stay at the temple. A lot of the temple heroes have died within the last couple of years. Good choice for a name by the way – I’m always learning too.
Thanks Paul, I wasn’t really that close to Gordon, but I spent alot of time with Greg, who in my opinion was one of the loveliest souls i have ever met. I’m not saying that Gordon wasn’t generous with his time, but I was coming in from the other side, as a reporter, and that generated lots of suspicion. I was able to see the real Greg, and for that I’m grateful! Regards, You know Who!
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There was a lot of suspicion surrounding reporters a few years back. Apparently some were sneaking into the temple as patients and writing expose type stories afterwards. I suppose the monks were warned to be careful about what they said.
Loved the video, just wonderful, thanks Paul.. I hope all is well and progress has begun on book 2.
Thanks Bob, things are going well.
GORD WAS A GOOD SOLDIER…A GOOD MONK..HE WILL BE MISSED….
WK
FSOC
I never knew him as a soldier, but he was certainly a good monk.
Gordon was a teacher at BKK A.U.A. between 1974- ? He was one of a core of teachers who love Thailand. We live here and love the country. His passing saddens me because it reminds me of the fact that this core of teachers is getting smaller with each passing.
It is said that live bad, die bad, live good , die good. Gordon has passed through the bad part of his life and entered the good part of his life, it outweighs the bad I am sure. At last he has lived good, and has died good.
The remaing core of teachers salute you and miss you. Dave Russel, Jim Powell, Anita Knobthai, Ralph Janus, Norton, and myself Tom Schubert
Thanks Tom, it is nice to hear about another aspect of his life. He did a lot to make up for any wrongdoing he did in his life. He always seemed at peace with himself and that is what made it easy for addicts to trust him.
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Paul a great tribute to an amazing man who helped a lot of people get their lives back on track. The head monk was right about him expecting Phra Gordon to arrive and ordain at Thamkrabok, it’s just a pity he had to leave like he did. I’m sure Gordon is going to make a lot more people happy wherever he is now. What an amazing life he lived.
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Thanks Martyn, I’m sure you would have liked him if you met him.
MEDIA DIDNT MENTION GORD WAS A SHEPARD TO THE 15000 HMONG AT WAT THAM KRABOC FOR 20 YEARS AND ALSO HELP BRING THEM TO AMERICA-I MADE MEDICINE DROPS TO GORD FOR HMONG THERE-GREAT HUMANITARIAN COMPASSIONATE SOLDIER TEACHER AND MONK.
I PUT HIM ON LVA HALL OF FAME WITH AMERICAS BEST SOLDIERS
http://laoveterans.8k.com/photo.html
IF YOU HAVE ANYMORE VIDEOS AND PHOTOS PLEASE POST AND SHARE THEM WITH THE WORLD AS HIS LEGACY FOR OTHERS TO LEARN AND BE INSPIRED BY HIS GREATNESS.GORD WAS A REAL MAN TELLING IT LIKE IT IS.
HI MUST BE KEPT ALIVE AT WAT THAM KRABOC FOR FUTURE DRUG ADDICTS TO GET STRENGTH FROM TO KICK THEIR BAD HABITS-MEDIA OF HIM SHOULD BE A MUST FOR ALL WHO ENTER THE WATS GATES.THE HMONG ARE NOW GONE BUT THEIR WILL ALWAYS BE DRUNKS AND DRUG ADDICTS COMING THROUGH THE WATS GATES LOOKING FOR HELP.THE LUCKY ONES GOT TO MEET GORD.WE REALLY MISS HIM ALOT-HES THE BEST….BOOKS AND MOVIES SHOULD BE MADE ABOUT HIM-WHAT HISTORY.
WALT
FSOC
I feel sure that those who remember Gordon will keep his memory alive.
ANYMORE VIDEOS OF GORD?
CANT DOWNLOAD FROM YOUTUBE IN CURRENT FORMAT-CAN YOU FIX IT SO WE CAN DOWNLOAD IT FOR MEMORY OF GORD AND INSPIRATION.
I THINK GORD CHOSE YOU TO TELL HIS LIFES STORY.I HAD SIMILAR CONVERSATIONS AT WAT TK WITH HIM BUT WAS FOCUSED ON MEDICAL AID MISSION TO HMONG AT THE TIME.WISH I HAD FILMED HIM NOW.
WALT
FSOC
I only found that video on YouTube. I don’t have anything else, but I’m sure others will.
Wonderful story Paul. Thank you for sharing his.
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Oh, I forgot to mention I loved his bus stop metaphor. There is something special, child-like and joyful in it.
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Thanks Lani, he was an inspirational monk for sure.
To All, Monk Gord as all like to call him was my long lost Uncle whom my family and I believed to be MIA in the Vietnam war. He had 12 brothers and sisters and numerious nieces and newphews. We have been trying to find him for years. It is sad to hear of his passing but it is a joy to finally see him after 40 years. I am not shocked that he helped so many, gave his life to help others, was loud and gave up everything to do Gods will. God bless all of you who have such find thoughts and words for my Uncle Gordon. May God keep you and have his hand of protection around you. Thank you all for showing so much love to him, James Grayson, Atlanta, GA; U.S.A.
Great to hear from you James. Your uncle was a wonderful man and you should be very proud of him. He made a huge impact on the life of many people.
First time I meet monk Gordon he looked around and shouted”OK who’s fucked up?” I didn’t dare to say anything and he looked direct at me and said “Well, brave heart, this is the last stop. Everything in the past is gone. You either live or you die, brother”. Gordon was surely one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. He leaded me on the right track. I’m clean for 13 years and now run a rehab centre in Denmark. I will never forget this great man. Thanks – rest in peace.
That sounds like him alright
It is wonderful to hear that you are still going strong so many years after Thamkrabok.