AsiaNews.it
Thai Catholic writer: literature and culture, the way to witness to Christ
by Weena Kowitwanij
92 year-old teacher and writer Prakin Xumxai Na Ayudhaya, in her lifetime has promoted interfaith dialogue and support for those most disadvantaged in society. Under the Christian pseudonym Eugenius she published several books, which have earned awards and accolades. Spirituality, she says, is "cornerstone" of life.
Bangkok (AsiaNews) - An example of Christian witness in society and staunch support of human rights and the principle of absolute non-violence, deeply rooted in Thai Buddhist culture. These are the reasons why the Catholic Church and the government in Bangkok are rewarding "Eugenius," 92 year-old Thai teacher and writer, Prakin Xumxai Na Ayudhaya, who throughout her life has promoted interfaith dialogue and support to people most disadvantaged in society. And, rather than renounce her faith in Christ, she gave up teaching in one of the most prestigious centres in the country, however, reserved exclusively for Buddhist teachers.
After graduating from the University of Chulalongkorn, she was offered a teaching job at the school Traim Udom Suksa, a prestigious and coveted pre-university institute linked to the government. However, she refused the job because the staff - by law – had to be of the Buddhist faith. "I'm sorry - she said to those who offered her the job - but I am Catholic and will never change my faith." She then opts for a year in France to widen her studies, and on returning to Thailand, started a literary career becoming well known to the public. In the first and most famous book, entitled "Under the Bridge," she speaks about the suffering of the marginalized and the homeless who live under bridges in the capital. It was published in a national monthly magazine with the pseudonym "Eugenius", which is the "Christian" name with which she was baptized.
The work of the Catholic writer has met with praise even within the political leadership: last September, the House speaker Somsak Prisananuntakul presided over the awarding of the prize "Phan Waen Pha Award", to Prakin Xumxai Na Ayudhaya along with nine other figures from Thai culture. The award was presented to the book entitled " Khob Pha Klib Thong" - a "must" in the context of Thai literature - calling on the people of the lower classes to fight for the future without losing hope. The award celebrates the values of democracy, personal freedom and political development of society through literary work. Elements that fall within the Thai Catholics celebration next November 20th of a day dedicated to vocations and human rights.
Naowaratana Pongpaiboon, a Buddhist, also awarded by the government, spoke of his friendship with "Eugenius" for the "free exchange of ideas," without creating divisions or misunderstandings over their “religious differences”. The simplicity and modesty of women, he adds, have filled like a bridge the gap between us.
"Spirituality" Prakin Xumxai Na Ayudhaya tells AsiaNews, "is the cornerstone of our lives." "I thank God - she adds - for the faith he gifted to me, since my mother's womb. Only the lack of God can make us desperate, hopeless, or sad". Speaking of vocation "given by God," she explains that it is a means to lead a life of "love and goodness."