hookedondhamma

Pattaya tattood darkskin bargirl as a wife. Excellent decision ?... Love kills.

Haha! My thoughts exactly!

Do people read any advice online at all? And they still ignore it?

Doesn't matter; that flies out the window most meet their 'beauty.' Red flags may be all around but in this case the thinking doesn't come from the head above.

Some get burned and learn. Others continue to get burned.

I hope the young man is ok.

Why can't they just leave this abbot alone? I have been receiving lots of FB and LINE feeds about this story and most Thai commentators (actually virtually all of them) are worried that this is an example of the government seeking to destroy Buddhism. That to me is extremely worrying, if true, though given how often new Buddhist temples are built in upcountry Thailand I am a bit skeptical of this claim yet I do understand where they are coming from.

One commentator even went so far as to say that he believes the general is pimping himself to Islam, allowing them everything but when it comes to Buddhism, the authorities feel they can enforce the law on whatever charges they believe are justified. This is quite an accusation in what is supposedly a Buddhist nation.

I also heard someone tell me how there are quite a few teenagers taking drugs inside some mosques in Bangkok. Yet the police is prevented from investigating because locals don't allow the police to enter these mosque compounds. By the sounds of it, the exact same thing is happening at the Dhammakaya temple - locals aren't allowing police to enter the compound to investigate supposed wrongdoing. Seems that the police don't have nearly the power the think they have, especially when religion is involved.

those thais that express that, are they dhammikaya followers?

About the islam thing, I heard a few weeks ago that he recently converted to islam, as his wife was.

Nothing will happen to the monk in charge of the dhammikaya sect. He has his.followers where he wants them mentally, and their desire to make merit overrides their normal reasoning skills.

Isn't it the male version of being a bar girl? .... become a Monk for an easy/lazy/free life? ......

Obviously not taring everybody with the same brush. there are also good Monks out there.

no, but that's quite a reach. Most foreigners will view monks as lazy because monks aren't a part of their home countries culture (let's face it though they're adding to that rep by being deviants). They just don't have the desire or ability to understand.

In the UK we have monks But they are self sufficient and do not beg. They give up modern technology and live a simple life practicing their religion.

Thai monks are just parasites that prey on peoples generosity and gullibility.

You would never see a British monk with the latest iphone

They do beg, this is how they recieve the food they eat day to day. I used to know a couple of them over there - they're good monks but Buddhism is relatively new over there (in comparison with SE Asia).

The branches of Ajahn Chah are really doing their part, and I hope they do for a long, long time.

Isn't it the male version of being a bar girl? .... become a Monk for an easy/lazy/free life? ......

Obviously not taring everybody with the same brush. there are also good Monks out there.

no, but that's quite a reach. Most foreigners will view monks as lazy because monks aren't a part of their home countries culture (let's face it though they're adding to that rep by being deviants). They just don't have the desire or ability to understand.

Of course they are not real Buddhist monks but just the usual scumbags pretending to be, to enjoy all the perks. The temples or abbots can be 'blamed' for this as they are expected/supposed to let anyone in. That's why the Thais always dump their puppies at the temple. They know the temple will feed them. After thinking about it again I suppose we should blame the scumbags that prey on the kindness of the abbots because we can't blame anyone for being too good or kind and even wanting to give 'reformed' scumbags a second, third or even fourth chance

no, the abbots are usually quite aware of what goes on, but because they've been in for so many years, the thai think (not all but MANY) they're to be revered.

And yes, they will ordain again, that's a guarantee. Why? They'll call their friends and go ordain in their area.

Alot of times the laypeople also know as well. Those who are wiser will usually withdraw support, those who aren't will continue to support them out of the desire to make 'merit.'

The bad thing is the monks who actually want to come and practice are usually screwed from the beginning due to the last childish group. But nothing changes.

It's better to keep a record so this can be handled appropriately ... but that's thinking too much. Mai bpen rai

? I'm confused. Unless damnikaya is under the mahaniky sect, what could the chief monk of the province do?

Didn't make a difference when the supreme patriarch tried to bring them to the table ... so what gives?

Oh, that's right - do THE most to make people think something is finally going to be be done for a while, then sweep it under the rug.

It is their country after all. They know just how well they can twist things with just a small slap on the wrist for punishment.

Um .. damnachayo said Buddhadasa went to hell? Nothing surprises me anymore with him or his cult.

Who is actually surprised he ran?

These ecclesiastical titles ... lol

I don't think the world's Buddhists are ashamed or embarrassed - they're probably quite aware of the things going on, and know that sometimes, what's broken can't be fixed.

It takes a small number of deviants to tarnish the rest, unfortunately.

He's already broken one of the four major rules that automatically makes him disrobe, which also disqualifies him from ordaining again in this lifetime. Same as neinkham.

People can be smart and still do despicable things. That imposter knows exactly how to draw in naive people and make them even moreso (pay out to sit as close as possible to their 'arahant' monk who says steve jobs is an ogre).

However the fault lies on all sides and not just damnachayo.

The sangha council is irrelevant in this case; they want to avoid confrontation and not lose face even more.

It's up to prayut but damnikaya runs deep all over the world. Could've possibly stopped it way back but they let a creature grow into a monster. Now they have to deal with it.

I get the feeling that all that has been found is just the tip of the iceberg. I sure hope they are at the Abbott and all the monk's that were there doing this.

correct, but it isn't just the monks involved, there are those outside the sytem as well. Everyone is focusing on the monks while the others are trying to do what they can to avoid what's coming.

Unfortunately alot will be swept under the carpet, this is how Thailand works.

Congrats to them!

I wish them a long and happy life together.

On the matter of the dowry, I was wondering what the etiquette is for same sex marriages? Is it the richest to the poorest, or the foreigner to the Thai, or do you come to a decision between the partners?

I'm on the same page and wish them the same.

When I saw this thread I thought it was going to become messy, quick - but regardless of all the side-eyeing, still a very interesting story.

Best wishes to them both.

Looks similar to one i caught in the chant hall. They're fairly common in SE Asia, but I don't remember the specific name. The one I released was an adult but only a little bigger than my hand.

If you google owl species in Thailand you'll find it.

For some reason I can't quote Cameratas post but it's a good one (dealing with the how some rules came not fr9m criticism of the laity but ...)

There are alot of views on how some of the rules are antiquated, unnecessary etc., that I've heard for years. A trick to see why they're in place is just to observe the monk who doesn't follow that rule or take on that rule yourself.

The training rules nfor example - slurping or smacking the lips when drinking or eating - if you observe the monks who don't practice this vs the ones who do you'll normally observe the ones who do are more presentable and refined. It's like a set of fine tuners on a violin. (Kind of like when the laypeople prepare snails and provide a bowl of toothpicks to consume them - the monks sucking the life out of the shell versus the ones who neatly use the toothpick and the least amount of effort).

It seems like a mountain out of a molehill but to those confused or doubtful - try it out for a while. Times change but people are still people. If anyone has access to the tipitika one will see not.much has changed in people's behavior in correlation to the rules formulated.

I was very surprised to learn from my Thai wife that Thai people do not think they look "Asian".

"we do not have eyes like Chinese, Japanese or other Asians,,we are different."

That's probably because Thais look 'Thai' to her. Paiboon was a clever man.

For the ops last question I'm not quite sure anymore.

The other day a thai was flipping channels and there were a group of ladies dancing. I immediately recognized them as korean. He said they were thai. Turns out it was k-pop show showcasing the latest k-pop groups.

Another time he said a muay thai boxer was thai when he turned out to be Lao.

I think as far as looks go there's nothing 100% as thais are mixed with other ethnic groups.

I agree with Morakots post.

I love the show for people that might observe these meetings: all barefoot, alms bowls nicely displayed under the table. So pious Meanwhile, in the real world...

?? Those are thai style trash canisters/spittoons. Alms bowls aren't decorated, the exception being for lustral water and big events ... and those aren't carried during almsround.

No big deal though, seeing the level of understanding many have in this forum of Buddhism.

The sangha council are there to excercise non-existent authority (and to look 'venerable' while doing it). Rank in the form of ecclesiastical titles is useless, and another way for the thai to keep the status culture alive.

was it banned before,,?

I just learned about this issue, a good progress then,

they must be eagerly awaiting to lift the ban on other items soon!

no. The mahanikaya sect and city monks are known to eat ice cream (not all).

They can ban whatever they like but temples answer to the council of elders (anothwr can of worms, so to speak)

Nothing new here. Anything semi-liquid are that is a solid and can melt. Ice cream, yogurt, various drinks or frozen drinks. City monks will probably be less picky than forest monks who tend to hold more strictly to the Patimokka.

Patimokka. Is this a new Swensens flavor?

genius - thanks for the laugh. It is the 227 major rules that one takes on when becoming a monk (in therevada). There's a split in views though and many don't follow the training rules nowadays. Some even say some rules are antiquated to a degree m

Can they have an ice lolly instead?

of course, as long as there's no milk in it.

while the people working there are very lovely, trying to control how the order of more does things really says alot. The office of buddhism has good intentions but seem to be trying to control Dhamma, which can't be controlled.

Surprised the snow is not subject to boycott for being white!

Not surprised at this comment.

Anyways, what a fascinating event! Rip to those who who have passed.

This is nothing more than theft of money from nice people who make honest donations in return for prayer's to make them feel better. Horrible sick thieving MONKeys. Go steal your way into hell and burn a thousand time each day. May your nuts turn square and fester at the edges.

many of the donators know exactly what they are doing. They WANT to give money and gifts to these monks, (extra if they're handsome ... it's a drought and thirst is everywhere). They know sometimes they deviate from the path they chose, they don't care - and a very merit making oriented.

For those that truly don't then when they do they'll probably continue to do so.

It really does go both ways.

Why does a monk need an expensive, vintage car in the first place?

If the car was offered as a gift, as a Buddhist and following the Buddha's teachings of leading a simple, frugal life, why accept this 'gift' at all?

there's this belief in the thai community that giving money to monks will bestow upon the user great merit. So a car (in this case a 'benz', the car of amazing status), would probably be an ultimate form of merit AND good luck.

Thailand LOVES its ecclesiastical monks. The higher the title the more showered with gifts and spoiled they are.

They don't have to be an experienced meditator to gain titles. Where I'm at now if they build projects, and other stuff to further a temples image, they're likely to get it.

There are a few who I know who are excellent monks. The others are what I refer to as laypeople in robes.

But in the end that really is thailands problem.

Northern are more tourist exposed and speak much English better. This is a huge generalisation, but they also seem more enterprising and willing to innovate to make money... I have no data to back that up, it would be interesting to compare SME data for the two regions.

Northeastern I've found to be more friendly, probably because foreigners are still a rarity up there. Even last year in Udon, a city, I had people smile and say hello to me on the street. Isaan are definitely worse drivers, never take a van past Korat unless you want to give yourself a heartattack

As for language, I find Isan and Khmer Thai way easier to understand than Lanna Thai. Lanna seems nasal and unclear.

Overall both people are far nicer, down to earth, and welcoming than Bangkokians. I never find myself tripping over adults taking selfies in the North or Northeast.

phibun is smiling somewhere in thai heaven (in reference to second to last statement)

Srisaket, everywhere