Jawnie

If you study the three vehicles of Buddhism: Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, one of the main differences in approach is how we see ourselves in relation to the world. Hinayana says one is not to have a relationship with the world, really. That one gives up everything and everyone - complete renunciation until one is released as an Arhant. According to the Mahayana and Vajrayana schools, however, the Arhanthood of the Hinayana is incomplete.

Mahayana includes the same renunciation, but requires one to do so in the context of remaining engaged in the world for the purpose of helping others - this is the idea of the Bodhisattva and of the great compassion of the Mahayana. It is the lack of this great compassion in the Hinayana which makes its Arhanthood incomplete, so say the Mahayanists. However, in the Mahayana, Buddhahood or final enlightenment takes an extremely long time to attain.

The Vajrayana includes the two previous schools but also includes views and practices which bring one to full enlightenment much more quickly than the other two. The Vajrayanist are even very specific about the length of time this can take, eg., some Vajrayana paths take 32 lifetimes to achieve full enlightenment, some 16 lifetimes, some eight....one path claims that enlightenment is possible in one lifetime, but it is not the same as achieving the Hinayana Arthanthood.

These differences can be an issue.

Either one is correct and the others incorrect, or they are all correct, or they are all incorrect, or any other variation.

Such is attachment to belief.

The point is that compassion towards other beings and working on their behalf is a key feature of the Mahayana and Vajrayana. Neither teaches that one must reach a certain 'stage' before making attempts to help others. Rather, it is through making those attempts that one acquires the necessary merit and wisdom to reach final enlightenment. That is, merit is generated by expressing the compassion, any compassion, that arises upon seeing the suffering of others. Wisdom arises by trying to help and by learning what works and what doesn't (among other things).

I once heard a Vajrayana teacher responding to a Hinayana practitioner about the practice of compassion. The Hinayana practitioner was making a similar point about helping others but....not yet. The Hinayana practitioner acknowledged that compassion was essential, though, and would ultimately need to be taken up. The response of the Vajrayana teacher was, 'Well, if you know that someday you must take up compassion as your practice, what are you waiting for..why don't you start now?"

Could the Hinayana practitioner have been referring to helping others through the teaching Dharma Practice?

If so, it could explain the need to be knowledgable through experience before leading others.

Otherwise compasionately helping someone in need by giving, assisting, helping, listening or other should be freely given at any time.

It isn't an issue of one being right and the other being wrong. It's an issue of completeness. The Vajrayana includes both Hinayana and Mahayana; Mahayana includes the Hinayana views. However, in both cases, they include broader views than those of the Hinayana. It doesn't mean one is right and one is wrong, just has more complete or expansive teachings and practices including broader views of the path and the result.

With regard to teaching the Dharma, one should not teach until one is qualified, but there are other, unlimited ways to help people. If you say you can only help people by teaching the Dharma but you aren't qualified to do that, you have said you can't help anyone. That is classic Hinayana...Mahayana doesn't say that. It says you must start now...start developing your compassion and connection with others as part of your path. And, for the duration, you must keep your Dharma commitments and oaths. This is how action becomes Dharma practice.

If you study the three vehicles of Buddhism: Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, one of the main differences in approach is how we see ourselves in relation to the world. Hinayana says one is not to have a relationship with the world, really. That one gives up everything and everyone - complete renunciation until one is released as an Arhant. According to the Mahayana and Vajrayana schools, however, the Arhanthood of the Hinayana is incomplete.

Mahayana includes the same renunciation, but requires one to do so in the context of remaining engaged in the world for the purpose of helping others - this is the idea of the Bodhisattva and of the great compassion of the Mahayana. It is the lack of this great compassion in the Hinayana which makes its Arhanthood incomplete, so say the Mahayanists. However, in the Mahayana, Buddhahood or final enlightenment takes an extremely long time to attain.

The Vajrayana includes the two previous schools but also includes views and practices which bring one to full enlightenment much more quickly than the other two. The Vajrayanist are even very specific about the length of time this can take, eg., some Vajrayana paths take 32 lifetimes to achieve full enlightenment, some 16 lifetimes, some eight....one path claims that enlightenment is possible in one lifetime, but it is not the same as achieving the Hinayana Arthanthood.

The point is that compassion towards other beings and working on their behalf is a key feature of the Mahayana and Vajrayana. Neither teaches that one must reach a certain 'stage' before making attempts to help others. Rather, it is through making those attempts that one acquires the necessary merit and wisdom to reach final enlightenment. That is, merit is generated by expressing the compassion, any compassion, that arises upon seeing the suffering of others. Wisdom arises by trying to help and by learning what works and what doesn't (among other things).

I once heard a Vajrayana teacher responding to a Hinayana practitioner about the practice of compassion. The Hinayana practitioner was making a similar point about helping others but....not yet. The Hinayana practitioner acknowledged that compassion was essential, though, and would ultimately need to be taken up. The response of the Vajrayana teacher was, 'Well, if you know that someday you must take up compassion as your practice, what are you waiting for..why don't you start now?"

Simple solution. Stop the sex trade, and Thailand will cease being the butt of jokes as the prostitute capital of the world.

Ooops that would cost Thailand billions of baht, cannot have that. Guess better to complain to America and press You Tube

to stop showing the clip. Sort of shows the lack of understanding Thailand has about free speech. The clip was not really that

funny, they could have done a lot better if they tried harder.

Thailand has many enemies and as usual the Thai bashers are using the theme of this thread as a platform to air they’re anti Thailand views.

There is a thriving sex industry in Thailand, but so does have many other countries, Holland and Germany for example, plus in some states of Australia and America brothels and prostitution is actually legalised, yet, these are hardly given a mention.

It is possible to visit Thailand without ever seeing any sex establishments, like anywhere else in the world it`s only there for those who go seeking that sort of thing.

Most of the bad publicity given to Thailand by the West, especially from the United States and Australia is based on lies and exaggerated media reports.

Those casting the stones should first sort out the problems in their own back yards, before trying to preach to other nations how they should behave and shape they’re societies. America is number one in the world for considering themselves as the righteous among nations, but you only need to study the reports to see what sort of society that has transpired into.

As the wise man says; those living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones and the West has an abundance of glass.

One could reasonably ask why the Thai government isn't offended by the 100s of Youtube videos of bar ladies in Pattaya and elsewhere and why they haven't asked to have those removed as well. In any case, all forms of criticism and satire are allowed in the US....you can see it every day. The US and Thailand aren't even on the same planet when it comes to press freedoms.

Simple solution. Stop the sex trade, and Thailand will cease being the butt of jokes as the prostitute capital of the world.

Ooops that would cost Thailand billions of baht, cannot have that. Guess better to complain to America and press You Tube

to stop showing the clip. Sort of shows the lack of understanding Thailand has about free speech. The clip was not really that

funny, they could have done a lot better if they tried harder.

Thailand has many enemies and as usual the Thai bashers are using the theme of this thread as a platform to air they’re anti Thailand views.

There is a thriving sex industry in Thailand, but so does have many other countries, Holland and Germany for example, plus in some states of Australia and America brothels and prostitution is actually legalised, yet, these are hardly given a mention.

It is possible to visit Thailand without ever seeing any sex establishments, like anywhere else in the world it`s only there for those who go seeking that sort of thing.

Most of the bad publicity given to Thailand by the West, especially from the United States and Australia is based on lies and exaggerated media reports.

Those casting the stones should first sort out the problems in their own back yards, before trying to preach to other nations how they should behave and shape they’re societies. America is number one in the world for considering themselves as the righteous among nations, but you only need to study the reports to see what sort of society that has transpired into.

As the wise man says; those living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones and the West has an abundance of glass.

However true your citations maybe, it there are also other documented facts about Thai prostitution. For example, 90% of customers of Thai prostitutes are Thai men. Equally, only 5% of tourists in Thailand are Americans whereas Asians, in general, comprise 75% of Thailand's tourists.

Sorry to say but I just watched this video on Youtube ten minutes ago. Thai government is lying....again.

A prime example of Thailand as a third-rate, backwater country. Oh, and btw, there is no sex industry in Thailand and it's offensive for anyone to suggest it!

You seem to be very touchy. That may not be a favourable asset here.

Haha.... Agreed, although I'm not as thin-skinned as my responses here indicate. I guess I 'chose' to be thin-skinned here given that, presumably, we are all teachers here....not demigods of a superior order. Hence, I felt the need to point out the sniping as just that. Thanks.

There are very good teachers who are shy with people. There are very good teachers who aren't good at marketing themselves. There are very good teachers who don't know all of the areas of Bangkok well. It is one thing to apply for a job at a school, and another entirely find private students, especially if you aren't particularly outgoing.

I would think that the members here would be willing to share their collective knowledge with such a person, but I guess I forget. This is ThaiVisa. You'd think I'd get used to all of the sniping but I don't think I ever will.

OP, good luck to you.

Thanks for this. I'm just a little unsure how to go about it as I'm interested in doing more private tutoring (and making more money). My basic question was whether anyone had any thoughts regarding how location might help or hinder getting more students. Maybe it doesn't as some have suggested. But, as you indicate, it seems I haven't gotten a full spectrum of views on that basic inquiry. Maybe others are concerned I might move into their neighborhood and take their students....haha.

I hope you're a better teacher/tutor than you are a self marketer/salesman. Do you have business cards? Do you list your services in BKK newspapers, or here on TV's classified ads? There is no magic neighborhood or section of BKK where you're going to automatically find tutoring jobs.

Well okay, then. Thanks for the information....it is very helpful. The only thing I DON'T like about it is the egotistical sniping - I thought this board would have escaped that mindset, but apparently not. I am not good at marketing myself and I'm not even sure about doing it here in Thailand. Once again, thanks for the information, not so much for the sniping. Jeeeezus.

Perhaps no one has bothered yet because the question is a tad ridiculous. You obviously realise that private students can be found anywhere, its up to you.....right? No one area of Bangkok will necessarily be better than another for finding private individuals that want one on one with a native english speaker. You could even find such individuals up in Nan.....even down in Pattani...or perhaps right next door to you!

Its all about advertising yourself. Make up some business cards and hand them around, put an advert up in your apartment building or in your village, talk to people,tell your local greengrocer your available for hire....it really aint rocket science. An international scholl you say?....hmmm...

You know what? I didn't think it was a ridiculous question.... Whatever happened to 'there's no such thing as a stupid/ridiculous question'? Anyway, your advice is helpful. Suffice it to say that I don't live in an area where people are going to pay 400-500 baht per hour for English lessons...I just know that. Or, it will take a lot of what you suggest to get there. All of the private students I've had live in other parts of Bangkok and one of us always has to commute. I thought might make it easier for myself by relocating (since I'm thinking about it anyway). Best of both worlds would be to do as you say but in or around a business center or university where there are a lot more college-educated people with decent jobs or students with parents to pay.

That's it, announce to the whole world that your coming to investigate corruption. And do it on a weekend to give everybody time to "clean house" before the work week starts. And while you are at it, why not give the bad guys some airplane tickets to Hong Kong and save us all the embarrassment.

Okay, then....thanks for all of your valuable thoughts and comments. Sheesh.....

People tend to mix their meditation and awareness practices with Buddhism, which is not exactly accurate. Meditation and the awareness practices are not Buddhist per se but they are practices that are taught by Buddhist teachers. Buddhism is the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha: Shakyamuni, the sutras and tantras, and the lineage of masters along with their followers. One could practice meditation and awareness practices their entire life but never really encounter Buddhism.

People who meditate are not Buddhist. People who take refuge in the Three Jewels and follow a teacher, especially in the Mahayana and Vajrayana, and whether they meditate or not, are Buddhist. One must take refuge to be a Buddhist. I think meditation and awareness practices are self-help when divorced from Buddhism, which is often the case. When they are part of one's path as a Buddhist, they aren't considered self-help (although they do help one) but rather they are considered skillful means as part of the mind training that is central to Buddhism.

Hi Jawnie.

Meditation and awareness practices are fundamental practices of the eightfold path.

Although to understand and practice Dharma is the ideal way, perhaps the regular practice of meditation and awareness yields insight, wisdom and self experience without much of the belief.

Doesn't saying that you can only become enlightened if you embrace the Buddha turn Buddhism into a religion, something which many shun?

Didn't the Buddha reveal a practice, free of labels, and the exp<b></b>ression "Buddhism" was not known during his day?

Aren't meditation and awareness practices not just a subset of the eightfold path, but a fundamental core, without which all the knowledge of Dharma would be useless?

Doesn't regular practice of meditation and awareness lead to wisdom, insight, and self experience as a natural consequence?

In many ways, isn't self experience better than belief?

I find that attempting to practice wisdom and the wholesome ways described by the Buddha, without practice of meditation and awareness, will always be tainted by our conditioning.

My point is, Roccyeksyyyt (sp) that to be a Buddhist includes making specific oaths and commitments and committing to following the Buddha's teachings specifically. This is why I say that just because one meditates or does awareness practices does not make one a Buddhist. It's not about labels, it's about the methods one uses for training the mind and, even more so, what the individual's ultimate world view is. If one wants to meditate and be aware, the do the awareness practices; if one wants to become enlightened (as a Buddhist), then one needs to follow the Buddha's teachings. Individuals who can become enlightened without a teacher or the appearance of a Buddha are exceedingly rare...in other words, most people need to follow a path.

Meditation is not exclusive to Buddhism. Anyone can meditate: Christians, Jews, Muslims, Communists, non-believers, corporate execs, etc., because it is a natural part of the mind. When they do it, however, it is for relaxation and self-help because these pursuits and traditions don't teach the broad-based mind training approach found in Buddhism.

I'm still waiting to hear or read about the Thai government implementing under-cover sting operations with suspected corrupt officials and business leaders. Under-cover sting operations are highly effective and would work well in Thailand. But, for the two years I've been in Thailand, I've never heard of the idea even suggested by corruption 'fighters'. It would be easy to do, highly effective, and would put corrupt officials on notice. They would never see it coming and the public deserves to see a few 'perp walks' by corrupt officials.

The way I see it is that the Education Ministry doesn't know what it wants, really. Thailand has issues and problems that are not educational in nature but affect education directly.

One is that it has been an agricultural society for centuries and still is for the most part. It is fairly common that education is not stressed or important in agricultural societies. The world has or is transitioning from agricultural-based societies and Thailand is pretty much only beginning its real transition in this regard. So, the mindset in the Education Ministry is stuck in both places, probably because many of the people there come out of rural society and don't truly understand how important education is or how to approach education in the 21st century.

That is one possibility. The other is the issue with governance in Thailand. Those in power or positions of authority and power will not benefit if the population is well educated. It is to those leaders advantage that Thais remained relatively uneducated so that Thais don't realize how poorly and unfairly Thailand is governed. This is a really big and complex subject for Thailand and will not change until it is dealt with head-on. In other words, you can't expect people to become educated but then not notice what is right/wrong with the world around them. Enough educated Thais who are not from the 'ruling class' means the ruling class loses control of the debate and of the prevailing orthodoxy. A well-educated Thai population will inevitably lead to greater pressure for better civil liberties, a more functional civil society, ie., activism that actually works, and lead to a push of greater equality of opportunity.

This is the promise of education, right? Why would it be any different in Thailand?

With much of Thai society still greatly influenced by a 'rural' mindset regarding education, coupled with the lack of real opportunity, it is little wonder that the Education ministry doesn't get it right.

I've met plenty of Thais who are well educated. If I get the chance, I asked about their parents. It is typical that professional, educated Thais have parents who were the same and who made their kids work hard...extra hard, in school.

Sorry to hear about your situation. It's probably very stressful and unpleasant and taking a lot of fun out of going to work. Do what you can to ignore them and to function as though they aren't bothering you. If they don't give you information, find other ways to get it - stay focused on the needs of your students and your class, you will be able to get what you need elsewhere if you do that. Office politics can really make things so unpleasant and unsuccessful. Avoid them to an appropriate degree and don't feed their negativity. Philipinos can be very loving and accepting but it sounds like that's not the case at your school, too bad.

Ok, ok, ok...

So can I book a one-way ticket, land in LOS with my credentials, knock on a few doors and get a better-than-average teaching gig?

This is not completely unreasonable, as others have suggested. I was expelled from China...not even allowed to collect my belongings and had to leave there immediately. I came to Bangkok and was able to get a decent position in a few months without any prior planning on my part. So, if you want to just 'take the leap' it is doable but you'll need to support yourself until you start working. You could time your leap to coincide with 'hiring season' here to give yourself better odds. But, if you are experienced and educated as you say, you should not have any problems finding a job here.

I'm part-time teaching at an international school. I've had a few private students as well. I'd like to do more private tutoring. I've been in Bkk for a little over a year and I wonder if there is an area of Bkk that I might move to that will give me better access to private students. I live outside the main city centers and would be willing to relocate to a different area for this. Your thoughts, please.

It does little or no good to create long lists of complaints about the hiring skills of Thai education managers. What exactly does it accomplish other than setting you up further at odds with the way things are done here. May I suggest that you simply accept the wide variation of how things are handled here and stay focused on getting a job? Also, having worked in employment law in the US, I know that nearly every rejected candidate thinks they were 'highly qualified' but for some illegal or nefarious or incomplete reason/person doing the hiring, the applicant was wronged by not being hired. Learn the culture, take a lesson, get a thicker skin and move on. Good luck!

You may get a better answer to your question if you ask people where you are rather than asking people who are in Bangkok or Thailand. I would not expect to hear many teachers here in Bangkok tell you, 'yes, you are right...you will ruin your career if you include Bangkok in your teaching experience, so don't teach here.' However, I think people will always wonder about the nightlife/sex aspect of a male teacher in Thailand and you probably will need to deal with that onward.

My other thought is that although you say you've been here, are you ready for day-to-day Thai culture? It is much different here after one year as opposed to being a tourist. As an expat, it is likely you will be seeking out the company of other expats from your country as well as looking for food you typically eat. Thai street food/cuisine is fun while on vacation but can be distinctly unappealing or unfulfiling after several months or as a steady diet. Also, I hope you like hot weather. This is the hardest part for me...it is hot all of the time here. Thais say there are three seasons here: hot, hotter, hottest. It is never cool or cold here - ever.

Just want to chime in here with the "Jawnie mantra" regarding corruption: do some under-cover sting operations. It's the best way to deal with corruption...no one will ever see it coming.

Thanks - but really after specific titles of books good for beginners to Buddhism - not your favourite Ajahn or website. You know, title and author of some good books offering balanced overviews of Buddhism (any kind) and meditation.

For a complete introduction (but not necessarily a 'beginners' book) to Tibetan/Vajrayana Buddhism, "The Words of My Perfect Teacher" by Paltrul Rinpoche is the best and most complete work within a single book. It is used and taught in many Tibetan centers in the US.

People tend to mix their meditation and awareness practices with Buddhism, which is not exactly accurate. Meditation and the awareness practices are not Buddhist per se but they are practices that are taught by Buddhist teachers. Buddhism is the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha: Shakyamuni, the sutras and tantras, and the lineage of masters along with their followers. One could practice meditation and awareness practices their entire life but never really encounter Buddhism.

People who meditate are not Buddhist. People who take refuge in the Three Jewels and follow a teacher, especially in the Mahayana and Vajrayana, and whether they meditate or not, are Buddhist. One must take refuge to be a Buddhist. I think meditation and awareness practices are self-help when divorced from Buddhism, which is often the case. When they are part of one's path as a Buddhist, they aren't considered self-help (although they do help one) but rather they are considered skillful means as part of the mind training that is central to Buddhism.

What area of Buddhism are you interested, ie, Hinayana, Mahayana, or Vajrayana? Any of the Dalai Lama's books will be helpful, some are strictly Buddhist (with some being fairly advanced), while others discuss approaches to life from a more secular point of view albeit suffused with Buddhist insights.

The funny thing is, Buddha would not have cared 1 single bit.

This is not the point. The point is respecting Buddha images.

If the Buddha himself saw nothing wrong in them why would any other Buddhist?

Would that not be putting themselves on a ladder above Buddha?

You can not say for sure whether the Buddha would see nothing wrong with this. Your observation is merely an assumption, an unproven one, regarding what the Buddha might have thought about this.