hookedondhamma

I will enquire with the Thai that I'm with if I said it correctly and they always say yes it was very good.

For some reason I can't quote your post from the quote button so maybe this will work.

I've noticed in the past Thais are very courteous people, and more often than not, if they don't understand non-Thais quite clearly, will nod their heads and say 'Yes, I understand' or 'You speak Thai well.' Just the culture, I guess (from my past experiences up to the present).

If I were you I'd start asking if they understood clearly (with a smile of course and maybe a couple of jokes if you can muster), and you'll more than likely get an honest answer. From there you can work on your Thai more.

I used to have the same problem, but when I politely asked the former, those around me really understood the tremendous effort I was putting forth in learning the Thai language. Now if there's anything that isn't clear, I'm told, and then assisted until it is right.

Good luck, Bn - hopefully you'll be speaking fluently in no time! :-)

There are bad apples in every bunch. But I wouldn't generalize to that extent. If someone is rude with you just brush it off, maybe they're having a bad day. Sometimes there are variances in culture norms as well. If one notices that, the tolerance of that 'foreign' culture can become more tolerable, too.

Para, I do believe (based off my experience), that you will encounter this much throughout your monastic career. You'll hear it from the English speakers, and when you learn Thai, you'll more than likely hear it from the Thai speakers as well, just not as straightforward.

It's just best to ignore - after many attempted efforts to try and provide another way of looking at things. Sometimes, when people want to know something and have no way of knowing it, that curiosity turns to speculation, which then turns into all sorts of things.

Know that you don't have to explain anything to anyone, with the exception of your preceptor. Any more attempts to try and rectify the 'see one corrupted person = all people corrupted' will more than likely fall on deaf ears.

Nice signature, Bpraim.

Para, I think you are fairly right on with your statements. There seems to be an abudance of posters on this forum who think all monks should be living in a hut out in the forest with only a bowl, a robe and a candle. I know a lot of monks abuse the privelage of the internet and smart phones, but not all. I am like you, in that I have learned a lot about my chosen field over the internet, of things I could never have learned otherwise. Yes I have a cell phone, a very simple cheap cell phone with about the only one who ever calls me is the abbot to come to his kuti instead of him walking about a hundred and fifty yards to my kuti to get me. Yes I have a notebook. I communicate with my family in the US from it and mostly search for different Buddhist materials to use in my study. Since I can't read Thai, this google search helps a bunch. I wish you much success in your endeavors, don't give up just because a few posters don't understand what it is your trying to accomplish.

Phra khaowong1 your views are IDENTICAL to mine and I would guess many other foreign Buddhist Monks living not just in Thailand but around the world. Of course the Internet is so easily open to abuse but with correct intention that line is never crossed. My temple is very small with only 3 other Monks only 1 of which can speak a little English and my Thai isn’t as good as I know it should be so I am constantly searching for information to better understand the life I have chosen.

The biggest for me is being able to download MP3’s of the chants as I simply can’t get my head around the way Pali is translated through Thai to English. The way b’s are swapped with p’s,and l’s with r's, t and d’s, w's with v's it’s easy when you are readying only a couple of words but to learn a chant for me at least is SO difficult simply using a book.

‘about the only one who ever calls me is the abbot to come to his kuti instead of him walking about a hundred and fifty yards to my kuti to get me.’

Sorry but this really was a LOL for me as I get similar *requests* from my Abbot as well!

I have a computer (obviously!) not just to keep in touch with friends in the UK but to also help them through my knowledge of Dhamma in their lives. I have been told I have helped may of my friends look at life differently without trying to convert them to Buddhism simply explaining the ways of a Buddhist.

Do you think there was this much of a problem when the printing press was invented and the overlooked benefits of easy distribution of printed Dhamma texts because it could also print pornography? No of course not.

As you say as a Western monk we are scrutinized so much more than a Thai Monk but if I can do something that will help spread Dhamma to people that don’t have easy access to it then I think I am doing a good thing.

As you say it seems to be the people critical of Monk’s and any Internet comes from lay people which I guess is understandable as they are maybe not as aware of just how hard it is developing the skills a Buddhist Monk needs in a foreign country. If my Abbot tells/asks me to look into something or I need to learn something I am unable to be taught by the Monks here I do not see how I am breaking the Vinaya or Patimokkha.

Thanks you for your support.

With metta

Para

Sorry about the earlier edit. I had to go purchase a Samsung Galaxy III at Panthip plaza

Anyways, if it's of any help, when I began to learn Thai I started off by using English transcription of the chants, and then began to compare it to the Thai. As far as pronounciation goes I was reading a language book some time ago where it was talking of how Thai pronunciation underwent a great shift, which is why so many of the sounds are switched. I notice at many Mahanikay temples they use the Thai pronunciations (Pudto, etc.) while at the Therevadan temples they use the other (Buddho). If you ever have any questions about the Thai transcriptions of the chant, I can try my best to help as much as I possibly can :-)

As for the use of electronic devices, for me at least, it depends on the intention. Regardless of what I hear if I have a necessary reason to use it, it will more than likely be used. Whatever talk follows is like water off a duck's back, as others can only speculate (as they aren't me ;-)

It's a great idea if you can accomplish it, and those who are interested in receiving instruction and Dhamma talks who otherwise would have no way to get them would appreciate it as well.

Way to go, Para!

*edit*

Yes, we do annoy the Thai monks, don't we? I'm pretty sure I annoyed a few today. :-)

I know what you mean on this one! For me whenever I attend large gatherings I am either the center of attention or almost (self?)made to feel like an outsider. Sometimes I wonder if some people forget Buddhism started in India not Thailand.

I did not think budhism was about borders, or what other people though but in you.

Para is speaking from a viewpoint as a monk ... aka 'falang' ... if lucky, 'phra falang' :-)

By keeping sila, practicing samadhi, and using panya to cut through defilements?

By no means is it my intention to offend, but sometimes I look at this forum and wonder where one gets the time to practice when asking questions via Thai Visa. If you're in Thailand, have you tried to get to a temple? If you can't speak Thai, there's always the Ajahn Cha temples which have different nationalities.

Maybe you could get ahold of Aajahn Jayasaro, or come across recommendations from other people from other well-practiced monks. There are endless resources both on and offline. Different teachers, different methods, etc.

Yes, my situation is different as I'm not a householder. But having enough to worry about as it is as a householder, why add to the bank of thoughts?

Of course to each his own and good luck in finding a satisfactory answer, Rocky :-).

RE: God Statue

that's an interesting term!

my Thai language teacher refers to the Buddha in the wat as a Buddha statue.

my Thai wife says she was taught as a tour guide to refer to these creations as a Buddha images. The reasoning is that a statue is an actual representation of a person, whereas an image is a symbolic or stylized creation. Buddha images vary over time and cultures. No one knows what he really looked like. All represent not only the historical person but the Awakening he discovered and taught, it seems to me, and are therefore probably images.

This leaves me wondering, is it proper to say Buddha statue, or is that a patent misstatement?

P.S. I wouldn't say God Statue if you paid me!

In the states I've heard everything with the exception of 'God Statue.' Then again, at my temple we English speakers just use the Thai equivalent. Then again, we picked up a whole new vocabulary of words in Thai, most likely because we'd never heard them in English.

I'd say use whatever you want, as long as it doesn't cause harm to others or yourself :-)

I have a different feeling about this. It doesn't matter. Many questions are questions that other people have, or are going to have in future. Not only the OP reads the info and answers that follow a question. By posting such things, it adds to the general knowledge for everyone who reads it. So it is often a bigger thing than just about the OP.

For example, I now consider myself an expert on retirement visas, retirement extensions, and ways to start that without an 0-A visa. I wouldn't know what I know now without reading about other people's problems and experiences.

I agree.

When someone gives you a somtam recipe on ThaiVisa you don't expect them to come over and share it with you, right? I think this is where personal feelings get involved with cyberspace.

But now someone else knows how to make makhoo bpu

Some people acknowledge, while others don't.

Well, the usual practice is to give the Buddha statue to monks to pray and give blessing. But there are different type of statues so wondering is it will do just to ask the monk or the "white shirt" I don't know what the name.

I've never seen anyone in white shirts do any ceremonial stuff. But then again, I'm in the monastery at all hours of the day.

There are different statues according to the period of history, the country that made them, and then you have the 7 different postures for the days of the week, etc. But the truth is they're all of the Buddha, so they're all the same; though they may have different stories that accompany them.

Unless you really need it for personal comfort, if I were you I'd just be content with my reverence to the Buddha, which wouldn't be expanded or contracted by acquiring someone for its blessing. The real blessing comes from right practice and livelihood.

Remember at the end of the day, those of us who are Buddhist all bow down to the same Buddha.

"I am a Mahayana practitioner; my partner practices in the Theravada tradition. The challenge of accommodating differences in the Buddhist family is an occasional cloud that hovers over our dinner table."

My wife's family doesn't think I'm a "real" Buddhist for the same reasons

Yes, I get this all the time. Because I'm an American, I can't be a real Buddhist monk. More of a novelty. Oh well.

I get back at them a little, when I tell them that the Buddha wasn't Thai either.

I get that alot too, KhaoWong. Or, I can't study Pali. Or, I can't chant. Gotta love the falang blinders. I think it comes from some sort of hidden insecurity, probably jealousy for the real insistent ones. <---- that can be taken as a joke or not

Is that you in your avatar, by the way?

And just for a follow up for anyone else reading this in a similar predicament, I went yesterday (the 8th) with no problem whatsoever.

There was the rude bus host and driver, but other than that it was a breeze to and back.

If you are talking about a 90 day address report 8th May will be not problem.

I for one am a little confused as to what you are actually asking.

Hi Lite Beer - no need for confusion, Lopburi3 actually cleared everything up. Anything after my initial question was strictly due to any misunderstanding I had. Thanks again, Lopburi3!!!

Thanks Lopburi3, I appreciate it. So even though the date to report was on the 5th (which is a closed day at immigration), and the 6th being closed with the 7th being a holiday, it would still be counted as late, correct?

90 day address reporting has a window of 15 days early to 7 days late so not a problem.

But your asking about visa reporting does raise questions as visa entry does not require 90 day reporting (unless one year retirement) and you must leave every 90 days or less. Believe you mean extension of stay 90 day address report?

As for actual visa visiting immigration next workday is always accepted (for extensions) if expires on a holiday.

I have a Non 'R' visa that I renew every year, but in that year I have to do a (you're right) 90 day address report. Sorry for the poor wording. I didn't remember the terminology. Thank you so much for your responses!!

Is there anything in the policy that states of the 7 days just in case any tricks may be pulled?

Also, even though Saturday and Sunday are closed days, and Monday is a holiday, that would leave Tuesday as the 4rth day. Am I correct?

Thank you again, you both helped me breathe easier.

Hello - I took a look at my passport a couple of days ago and saw my visa stamp expires on the 5th of May. However I notice that the Chaeng Watthana office is closed, as it is a Saturday. If I go on Monday should I expect any fines?

Previous circumstances during the week prevented me from going earlier, and I couldn't find a related thread through the search function.

Your help and advice is appreciated!

Unbelievable

Not really. Tit my friend, this is fashion

Tibetan / Vajrayana Buddhist often take their statues and things to high lamas to be blessed and empowered. Maybe this is the PO's thought but I don't think Theravadins do this. True or not?

Hi Jawnie. I can't speak for the whole but I have seen, both here and in the U.S. Thai Buddhists who have 'asked' for their Buddha image to be blessed by monks. I think it may be something you just may find everywhere.

I wonder if the kids want to do it or if they even understand what's going on?

I think it's somewhere in-between. From what I've seen since coming here there isn't too much questioning higher authority. But things change as the years go by, so I don't know the details.

Dis-regard that last post.

My original post was directed towards the OP, though I appreciate your input, SJ.

Super. Thailands time is coming. Sooner or later the Theravada Sangha will have to recognise Buddhist nuns. More power to them.

I never knew they weren't recognized by the Therevada Sangha. Numerous temples I've lived at and visited throughout Isaan, central Thailand and Northern Thailand have had maechis, even some participating in almsrounds.

Many I've spoken to have been quite helpful in helping me tackle certain issues with practice; others as well.

Did you mean female monks?

Whether you use the term 'nuns' or 'female monks' is a matter of personal taste but most English-language sources choose 'nuns'. As Wikipedia notes, "In modern English [monk] is in use only for men, while nun is used for female monastics."

A couple of examples, in context:

http://www.dhammawik...kkhuni_precepts

http://www.dhammasar...-community.html

From Buddhist Nuns in Burma by Dr. Friedgard Lottermoser:

Bhikkhu refers to a fully ordained monk, bhikkhuni to a fully ordained nun, upasaka to a Buddhist layman, and upasika to a Buddhist laywoman. The precepts of the upasaka and upasika are the same, five in number: to refrain from taking life (killing), to refrain from taking what is not given (stealing), to refrain from sexual misconduct (adultery and so on), to refrain from telling lies (especially about one's spiritual attainments), and to refrain from taking intoxicants. The precepts of the bhikkhu and bhikkhuni include these and more.

Mae chees -- 10-precept novice nuns, in white robes -- are recognised by the Thai Sangha to the extent that the Supreme Patriarch authorised a college dedicated to the education of Buddhist laywomen and mae chees. There is also a national organisation of mae chees. On the other hand, 311-precept fully-ordained nuns in saffron/ochre robes are tolerated in Thailand but given scant attention except from news media.

I predict that within the next 25 years we will see the bhikkhuni order accepted in official quarters in Thailand.

Oh no! More word dissection! That terminology was used as the article was more or less describing the maechi practice. It's just the terminology/translation used around here and the past areas I've lived in.

Super. Thailands time is coming. Sooner or later the Theravada Sangha will have to recognise Buddhist nuns. More power to them.

I never knew they weren't recognized by the Therevada Sangha. Numerous temples I've lived at and visited throughout Isaan, central Thailand and Northern Thailand have had maechis, even some participating in almsrounds.

Many I've spoken to have been quite helpful in helping me tackle certain issues with practice; others as well.

Did you mean female monks?

First off...even experts have some trouble telling if the honey is pure or some dilution added.

I turn a bottle up and if its thin, dont buy.

Then smell, if it is rich and sweet smelling ok...if it has a whiskey smell, dont buy, but that could be just from the recycled bottles and cap.

But one of the best ways is to get a glass of cold water, pour some honey in and if it settles to the floor in a more or less glob and does not start to dissolve, then it is good stuff.

If it starts to dissolve and you will see it straight away....then it has been cut with a sugary sryup or such, so dont buy.

I use the exact same methods you just posted! Though one of the reasons I resorted to asking, because I don't want to make a Thai lose face. But everythings going well now. I appreciate the informative feedback!

The litre bottles in the big chains are trustworthy, but can be quite expensive, even over B200.

I've had good luck with unfiltered natural honey from a street pushcart vendor, upcountry Isaan lady whose Lao is so thick the Thais have a hard time understanding her, along with the obviously self-filled mixed-shape bottles, she also sells the whole combs, sometimes with the tree limb still attached.

Of course she may cut her wares, but I haven't been able to tell the difference and personally I doubt it. She's just raised her price from B80 to 90 so even if it's cut a bit IMO is better value and definitely more nutritious.

Since one hardly ever sees just "once off" of these kind of street vendors, I'm sure there are similar ones in other areas, but they don't stay in one place nor even come around that often, like the knife sharpener guy just have to keep your eyes open and look out for them when roaming the market areas.

Hi BigJBKK

I was at the amulet market a couple of days ago and came across what appeared to be natural honey. Dark in color, and looked as though it had some wax in it. But it seemed just a little too thin. I'm not that much of an expert in determining the authenticity of it, but it's ok - I did manage to find some and I have another source as well.

As of now I'm out of Isaan (when I was there, it wasn't a problem at all). But do you know what you mean about the whole combs being sold. Makes me interested in that lady, though. She must've been speaking some pretty high Lao. Since it's not standardized there's alot of variation.