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Published on April 2, 2008

Banana Family Park is a two-rai oasis of peace on busy, commerce-crazy Paholyothin Road. Every weekday for a year now, its tables set out in the shade of trees have been magnets for white-collar workers enjoying the meat-free lunches offered by the Baan Suan Pai food court.

On weekends, families gather for music, a little exercise in the gym or a bit of spa-style relaxation, and a coffee corner serves iced lattes and fruity smoothies.

The park is surrounded by pricey real estate, so it's designed in trendy fashion, but it's not made for fun. People are encouraged here to be mindful of the dharma.

This is the site of Baan Aree, a free public dharma library with thousands of titles, many written by respected monks, and other books and CDs that are free for the taking.

Banana Family Park was initiated by Veeranut Rojanaprapa of the family that runs Bangkok Printing, home of the four-decade-old Bangkok Weekly magazine.

When Veeranut learned that the property was available, he envisioned a community centre that would promote the Lord Buddha's teachings.

"The former owner asked me what kind of development I had in mind. He thought my idea was kind of strange," says Veeranut, 36, but the elderly woman clearly liked his idea: She chose his bid over that of a big property developer.

And it was "not too expensive", Veeranut says.

People came to hear about the Baan Aree Library by word of mouth, and what was once a small, informal facility has expanded along with public interest.

It's open every day from 9 to 7 on weekdays and 10 to 5 on weekends, Thai- and English-language books drawing a diverse crowd of readers. They browse the Tripitaka and dharma books and learn how to adhere to the Buddha's precepts even in the face of materialism and modernism.

The library doesn't loan out books, but you can get up to six free books and CDs every week.

"There are no conditions attached," Veeranut says. "Anyone can register and take away a book. They can make a donation if they like."

He produces the books and CDs in the thousands every week, covering the cost with his own money and the donations.

"When we do something without thinking about profit, we get back much more than money. I've never had any trouble shouldering the production costs. The system runs on faith."

On the library's upper floor is a sanctified room in which monks give talks on the dharma every Wednesday and Saturday at 1pm. These have been known to draw 500 people when the speakers are well-known monks from upcountry.

"We've had audiences overflowing out onto Paholyothin Road," Veeranut chuckles. "Passers-by were wondering if there was a pop concert going on."

Baan Aree created its own community of virtue-minded people back when it was a simple bookstore - called Banana Book Park -in the Piyawan Building down the road.

The little shop was selling more dharma books than all any of the giant book chains, but it had to close when its lease expired. A bigger and better home awaited.

Just running the bookstore was a dream come true for Veeranut, as avid reader, but he can also take great pleasure in being able to balance business with virtue by providing spiritual guidance to other readers.

"The knowledge we accumulate and the success we achieve doesn't bring us real happiness," he says. "It's the wisdom of the dharma that enlightens our souls."

The 1997 economic crisis that sent most Asian businesses into a tailspin was actually a windfall for him: He earned more than Bt10 million when the government floated the baht.

"I was proud - for about three hours. Then I questioned what my life was really worth. Lucky for me, I found the greatest compass in the dharma. That's why I try to promote the Lord Buddha's teachings, to help create a clean society."

Banana Family Park opens daily from 9 to 7. On Sunday at 6pm, noted Australian monk Brahm Wangso will lead a dharma discussion in English.

Tanaporn Tangcharoenmankong

Special to The Nation