hookedondhamma

Unbearable not because of what they are doing but because they ALWAYS have to be right , thier opinion is the ONLY one that matters , most anyone who disagrees is Hatefull, ignorant , ect ...... They think they are always the smartest people in the room . ect ect ect ...... And it's not even so much that they might not be, it's that they HAVE make it obvious they think it. They always need to have the last word on any subject , ect , ect , ect.

Give that man a prize.

lolol this is why I have a deep respect and love for my family, and not my biological family.

Whether or not it's true, the mind is a powerful thing.

LOLOLOLOLOL Thai Visa always gives me a good laugh :-) Street fighting, 10-on-1 lol

The laws are not made by the clerics. Buddhist teachings has nothing against gay people. That Thai politicians are not thinking of changing the law (at the moment) has nothing to do with the predominant religion, which happens to be Buddhism.

It is a political question, not a religious one.

I calls them as I sees them. Religion and governmental structures are closely related in many countries, including Thailand. It is very naive to suggest religion, politics, and culture are cleanly separated here. They most definitely are not. OK, now, agree to disagree.

BTW, I also think you are probably wrong that there is nothing in Buddhist teachings against gay people. Is it not taught that homosexuality is sexual misconduct?

A very relevant snippet, I think:

Despite all this, in practice, Theravada Buddhist countries are not terribly open to homosexual practice. This has much to do with cultural norms, as well as the notion of karma, which remains strong in countries such as Thailand. From this viewpoint, a person's characteristics and situations are a result of past sins or good deeds. Homosexuality and other alternative forms of sexuality are often seen as karmic punishments for heterosexual misconduct in a past life. Thus far, the gay rights movement has not had great success in Theravada Buddhist countries.

http://www.religionf...ty/buddhism.htm

The homophobic are not terribly open to 'homosexual practice.' Lol, there is no distinction between homo and heterosexual practice in Buddhism, as those of us who are Buddhist practice without conventions such as that, as they don't exist.

Oh yes, I've seen my fair share of corrupt temples and monks, but it's on both sides as well.

Thai Buddhism is somewhat off from the teachings in the Pali canon if judging by the customs that go on in many of the temples here; much of what is not understood is re-interpreted and introduced to the new generation, meshing into the culture even more. Thai Buddhism is what it is. There are well-practiced temples that blow this designer Buddhism out of the water, but they are located away from the major cities and popular areas - as a result the public gets a different view, especially tourists who come to Thailand, entranced with 'Buddhist' tattoos and such.

Karma is a whole 'nother issue. I've heard explanations from those who want re-birth in a higher realm to those who want a re-birth in which wealth is imminent (sp?) - contrary to what the practice of Buddhism is about - the reaching of a state where there is no more re-birth, no more suffering and stress (which is inevitable taking the earlier two examples into consideration).

Sorry about that (it makes me cringe any time I hear anyone speak of gays recieving opposition in Buddhism - it's like one is putting their intellect to death, oh-so-slowly .... )

But back on topic, Buddhism is very much incorporated into the government. I'm not sure about other countries, but when you have monks who have undergone a sex-change to be a man, and then who are ordained by the same head monks who voice their opposing views on homosexuals in a jiwarn, one begins to wonder just how much Buddhism is in Thai Buddhism.

I think it's very possible that marriage of all types can come to fruition in Thailand - the tolerance for 'alternative lifestyle' (sorry for that, I cringed when I used it, just don't know what other word to use right now) seems fairly high (at immigration I was greeted by a lady with the most masculine voice I've ever heard), though it may be on a slow decline as Thailand is being conquered by Western ideals. That could possibly explain as to why it wouldn't be permitted here.

edit* fixed quote range

Again, please open your eyes. With regard to the LAWS, again the LAWS, Thailand has a very DEEP traditionalist/conservative/theocratic bent and these traditions, this being a mostly Buddhist country, are rooted in Buddhism, at least as an excuse.

Consider what is illegal here:

Sex toys

Pornography

Gambling

Alcohol restrictions based on Buddhist holidays

No I am not saying a Buddhist country can't someday LEGALIZE same sex marriage under the law in a way that will always be impossible in an Islamist theocracy, just that it is an inhibiting cultural factor. So that's why I think Vietnam will be leading the way in Asean on this issue.

This post made me think a bit:

no sex toys, pornography, but Pattaya and specialized massage venues?

gambling, but lotto tickets?

The face factor always gets me here, lol

I don't think that the reason why Thailand does not recognize same-sex marriage has to do with Buddhism. In fact, monks are known to have conducted religious ceremonies.

I agree.

If the reason to not recognize same-sex marriage has anything to do with Buddhism, it has more to do with the insecurity of the person making that claim. From what I've studied and read, there is absolutely nothing with a negative connotation attached to gays in Buddhism, but a negative connotation attached latent sexual behavior one can accomplish by pushing morality under the carpet (Therevada canon), and that applies to everyone, of every type (gays, straights, teletubbies ;-), etc.). edit* there is a word called pan.daka in the canon that many interpret as a homosexual, but translation reveals it's a person who enjoys the act of oral pleasure - and that's just one of them - there are 4 other meanings as well, which can apply to both gays and/or straights.

Many monks I speak to have expressed their views, archaic and full of bravado like the reason gays weren't allowed in the military - it messes up the 'collective' unity (paraphrasing). But in reality that view is not supported in the Pali Canon, though many have taken it into their own domain and twisted it up.

But on another note, I find what you said interesting, Jingthing - could you explain more about it??

Edit* Jingthing updated his post (#5) , never mind :-)

I vote for glass cages for smokers, so we can sit around and watch them smoke themselves to death...or half of them anyway as stated in the research data.

I vote for all the anti smokers to have their own country, but they are not permitted cars or buses, power stations (nuclear or coal), cows or sheep (too much methane) etc, etc. Ohhh! That candle smoke is burning my eyes and making me cough. Let's ban candles.

Oh my goodness, the sarcasm on this forum kills me lolololol. Gotta love ThaiVisa!

leolibby, yes, Buddhism is very much about faith. Objective reality is only the teaser.

ahhh. I dont think I "know" more or am wiser. Part of it is an aggressive communication style... it's a debate for me: who can produce the most coherent argument. Even if I appear hostile, I'm not.

However, if people can't accept their precious ideas being attacked or questioned, perhaps I shouldn't post.

I just don't get you, LeoLibby. What are you in this forum for? I understand the questions asked. But normally it's a good idea to get an answer, or dismiss the question all-together if one unsatisfactory is obtained, then go ahead and make a new one. But to open question after question after question, which somehow seem to lead in endless circles - where is the benefit in that?

Many of your replies come across not as aggressive, but sarcastic, making much of what you write decrease in value.

The neat thing about this forum is the compassion shown towards many of the content that is posted here.

If you like heated debate why not take a look into the General forum. Buddhists aren't missionaries who force their beliefs down others' throats. As another member on here said, much of what we practice is practiced edit* do --> due to experience. Is it evident already that you more than likely are not going to find the answer you're looking for? Isn't your mind already made up to a degree? Buddhism requires one to get outside of their box and taking something head on to realize it for himself. You gain nothing by trying to learn off of the direct experience of others.

I don't know what base you are posting from, but I sure do hope everything is ok with you, and if it isn't, I hope things get better.

And on another note, Happy Kao Pansaa everyone!

Lol ... Chick-Fil-A kiss-ins.

America's my home country - and as much I really do love it, it's still fairly new, compared to others. Screw-ups are going to pop up here and there - so many problems, so many problems. But hopefully one day something positive will come from it, I just don't know when (though more than likely far, far after I have been laid to rest.

It's bad enough the obsession with celebrities and other crap that allows people to keep their eyes in space while all the crap goes down right in front of them ... but back on topic - very true, fastfood is something that belongs in the trash, not in people's stomachs.

That stood out. If you do decide to move to or are one day visiting ChiangMai I know a couple of great temples, far up in the hills, and far, far away from cars, businesses, etc. Send me a message should you decide on the Northern area. Around the time you come I may be up there, so it would be fairly convenient for ya.

Yeah, sounds good. I'm heavily into learning meditation and being more spiritual. I'm in the middle of reading "The Joy of Living" by Yongey Mingyur Rinponche.

On another note, been doing some reading on these forums and noticed this whole dark skin thing. Naturally being from Florida I was a beach person, so I'm fairly dark skinned. I would love to here some insight from someone who is dark skinned and how living in Thailand has been for them. I'm like Chris Brown's skin color.

Lol, you'll figure that out when you get here. You'll probably get many responses but this is one area where personal experience is the most important insight.

By the way, I completely forgot to ask about the type of Buddhism you were interested in, but I'm not too familiar with the branch you're practicing from. I'll ask around for some temples oriented to that type of practice. In the meantime you might want to check out the Buddhism forum. Camerata, FabianFred and a few others are great people, and their words speak volumes.

edit* Happy Asalha Puja everyone! May this be an eventful Vassa for us all!!

Asalha Puja - overall I find that questioning isn't too frequent an activity at temples (or at least the ones I've been to), so that may explain something.

I don't know how many expats would know if they weren't Buddhist or did a little dabbling about what it is about; same as Easter for a Thai coming over to a non-Buddhist area.

how much do you make from your online business

At the moment I just about clear 6 figures with career and online business. Online business it self probably puts me back into mid 5 figures.

I just noticed your ridiculous dog post in the Chiang Mai Forum. Your may end up having little time for anything else if your plan is to “knock the F” out of any dog that barks at you. Just come to Thailand and chill. You may or may not enjoy yourself here, but it will be an invaluable learning experience.

Yeah, my post about the dogs... got a little riled up after reading everyone's posts about them being aggressive, but in general love dogs, not keen on the whole rabies thing.

Just curious, what made you pick Thailand out of 192 countries on the planet? Spin the globe and throw a dart? Friends at the office tell you stories about the place? You watched the Hangover part 2 and are determined to find out what "Bangkok has him" actually means? Now worries and enjoy the adventure.

Never watched the hangover 2.

Reasons for picking Thailand:

1. Everyone says it's amazing to live there

2. I like asian looking women.

3. It's cheap to live there, I currently spend $2,300 USD renting a one bedroom penthouse in DC... sucks but it's the best for my career and for me not to live in the not so good areas.

4. I want to travel

5. YOLO, lol I might be 25, but that doesn't make it any different than me being 30, 40 or 50+.

6. I want to frequentl vipassana over there

That stood out. If you do decide to move to or are one day visiting ChiangMai I know a couple of great temples, far up in the hills, and far, far away from cars, businesses, etc. Send me a message should you decide on the Northern area. Around the time you come I may be up there, so it would be fairly convenient for ya.

It's a shame. As much as I love the US, and am not so surprised this type of attitude still exists towards gays, I still shake my head.

Now that I'm in Thailand it's such a change, though I still encounter it, just in a different area.

I wonder if this will boost his business up even more ...

*edit- I need a smoke break ...

Do you mean MawLaam by chance? It's even better if you can understand it ;-)

Benjawan's Thai for Beginners (if you get through that then you should try taking a look at Thai Reference grammar by orchid press)

Have you ever been to Thailand? If not why are you considering spending the rest of your life there?

I've been to Thailand probably 10-12 times beginning in the '70's. I've spent a cumulative of 3-4 months and only in the southern part of the country. I have always enjoyed my stays immensley and felt more comfortable there than in the other countries I have visited either on business or holiday.

While I'm not Budhist I have leanings towards it and definately like the idea of living in a country where it plays a big part of everyday life.

Hi Nomad; I think it's great you show interest in Thailand. As for the Buddhist area though, Thai Buddhism is very unique amongst other branches - there are many influences that come from the outside as well. Either way it should be a great new experience for you! I wish ya the best.

rotating toaster is shit. get those small oven toaster. nothing beats caramelized sugar with butter on toast

When you're five years old...

Fancy some soldiers for your dippy egg too? and a tablespoon of sugar and/or msg.

How about a nice nap at 11am?

baby wanna sit on a potty?

Thank you, sir. I have not had such a good laugh in a while.

The first time I though someone had given me piss in a glass jar.

Took me a few tries after that, but I found the flavor actually grew on me. Try it hot if it makes you gag :-)

Don't listen to these brainwashed (such is modern marketing) wimps. Shave like a Real Man® for next to nothing.

Buy a traditional double edge safety razor. Sometimes a larger Boots will have them or a local market. Also some supermarkets have the plastic version, Gillette Clic, which lasts for awhile but is quite mild. If you can't find one it's worth importing.

Then buy a box of 100 Astra (or other) double edge blades at a beauty supply shop for B150. Assuming you get 4 shaves per blade, now you're shaving for 11 baht/mo, excluding soap/cream.

Ideally you'd have a badger brush and proper shaving soap. You'd have to import the brush. But you can improvise: Thai beauty supply shops & other outlets sell a crappy little brush of the sort used at Thai barber shops. Crabtree & Evelyn at Emporium sells high-end cream & soap; The Body Shop sells a high-end soap. Otherwise, it's Dove or Imperial Leather and a drop of shampoo, or body lotion.

Go to the badgerandblade(dot)com forums for a wealth of advice about all aspects of wetshaving. (What a civilized international forum, totally unlike here.)

As for deo, just make your own from a mixture of baking soda and cornstarch. Start w/ 50/50 and then try 70/30. Google and verify. Been using it for several years now, works great. Can apply to underarms w/ a small brush--pick up lady's makeup brush ("kabuki brush") at a local market.

Christ, you must be a ''really'' old guy.

Alternatively the gentleman might be a young avid reader of publications like this: http://thechapmagazine.co.uk/about

Never heard of it. Nor do I hang out at http://www.kidzworld.com w/ transam and some of our other members. The best known of the wetshaving forums, badgerandblade(dot)com, counts young professionals as the largest proportion among its 50,000 members, including a gaggle of college students.

However, it does take a degree of open-mindedness to throw off the effects of the brainwashing promulgated by marketers. Ironically I only got back into using a DE razor after picking one up as curiosity in a local Thai market. Fortunately it wasn't entirely foreign as my dad had used an old Gillette himself. Funny, but on the other forum it's extremely rare to read of anyone giving up and going back to that cartoonish overpriced plastic crap. I never would. Do some reading and thinking and try it.

I second that - BadgerandBlade is a great resource, and what I used to pick my current razor (a double edge). Feather blades are cheap here, and a pack should keep one from breaking the bank buying razor cartridges.

I'm very happy that you've found your friend! That's great news! Like post #2 however, I agree - find means to pay the fee.

Respecting (or disrespecting) images of the Buddha is not about the Buddha. It's about maintaining and extending mindfulness of the Buddha and his teachings. As one progresses along the path from Theravada to Mahayana and Vajrayana, devotion to the teacher (in living form or as an image) becomes an "escalating" requirement.

Hi Jawnie - maybe I ate too much somtam this morning and the peppers are messing with my head, but I'm confused.

What exactly do you mean by 'As one progresses along the path from Therevada to Mahayana and Vajrayana'?

Do you mean that each branch is a step higher than the other, or holds practices that are more refined than the others? Or did you mean 'as one progresses along the path following the teachings of his/her respective sect'?

Yes, Mahayana and Vajrayana practices are more 'refined', more direct, and work more quickly than Theravada. Theravada does not have the guru-disciple relationship; Mahayana has the relationship; and in Vajrayana, one surrenders completely to one's guru as being a living embodiment of the enlightened mind of the Buddha.

Ah, ok - thanks for the clear-up :-)

On a side note, Several, Para, or any other monks on this forum: if you need a book of chants following the 'correctly transcribed' Thai Pali (lol, that one gave me a headache). Let me know. And I can send you a copy of a few books I have. I spend time revising chant books for the temples I've stayed at in English, Thai, and am currently working on typing a manual for reading Mon Pali in Thai, as well as transcribing the Patimokkha in Mon (as it's extremely rare to find these days, EXTREMELY lol). I have to make a run to my temple in Nongkhai tomorrow but will be back soon, hopefully (Para, you know what I mean, lol).

Hello HOD, I would like one of your chanting books also.. I will PM my address. I wonder why no ones has copied the little yellow book to the roman alphabet? It would be helpful. I have 2 chanting books. One is from the Thai Buddhist council in the US and the other is from Wat Saket. Both are helpful. But when chanting at the temple in Thailand, everyone follows the yellow book and I have to scramble sometimes finding the same chant in my book. AND.. my abbot, who I truly love, always makes me sit up front. He thinks it helps the younger monks to have a Phra Farang chanting to give them some moral support. Much like saying, if the old Phra Farang can do it, so can you,

Ah ok, so the yellow book it is. It shouldn't take me too long to romanise, though I have a hard time translating Thai to English, so I would more than likely leave out the Thai. I've noticed some of the info in the back can be found in the NakDhamm books as well.

I think back in the day it was held in high regard, but nowadays I don't see to much chanted out of it other than the morning, evening, house blessings and funeral chants (as well as the 'important' suttas).

When I was in Chiang Mai one of the monks gave me the pink version - the one of the North, complete with Lanna handwriting lessons (how cool is that). When I looked inside it was mainly the same, though I noticed the chants up there differed in the sets which were used.

But I'll get to that romanization right away. Let me know if you want it in digital or book form.