MAJIC

Whilst I do not agree that Thai Police should have financial rewards,there is a strong argument that they should have a salary enough that should be a reward for the job necessary! ......pay peanuts and you get monkeys!

With a Salary of £74,000, he is taking retirement, ...there is more to this than meets the eye!

Reply to Post No 25

@ Possum1931

Yes OK, who is Global House? what I have said is true though, anyone from the UK want to back me up on this?

Yes! absolutely true!

My wife has seen me change three cordless mouse several months later,because they didnt perform properly! she couldnt believe it when the shop changed them instantly! with no quibbling,I can't mention the Major UK Store!

Haroon Aswat a Brit? That's like saying Obama is an American!

If a tree falls in the Oregon woods near an al Qaeda training camp in 1999 and nobody hears it is it Obama's fault.

It is of course a rhetorical question given normal people know what The Donald and other crackpots on the margins like to believe. .

OP says a remote part of Oregon but nevermind that 98% of Oregon is remote. Oregon voted twice for Obama btw.

It looks anyway like a good ending for everyone cause this loony will probably end up back in the UK where he is welcomed and he'll be out of the USA where he is not. So it seems people everywhere still like happy endings.

Who said he will be welcomed back in the UK?

Somebody said I don't remember who that the guy may be invited to address parliament in Westminster. Victim of injustice and all of that.

After which UK can lecture Australia on its own successful model of how to protect an island country's coastline against immigrant assault. (No offense intended to NZ.)

Correct me if I'm wrong.....

And at your own risk.

Considering the importance of who would be invited to address the UK Parliament, your mate would most certainly be a non starter!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_who_have_addressed_both_Houses_of_the_United_Kingdom_Parliament

Haroon Aswat a Brit? That's like saying Obama is an American!

If a tree falls in the Oregon woods near an al Qaeda training camp in 1999 and nobody hears it is it Obama's fault.

It is of course a rhetorical question given normal people know what The Donald and other crackpots on the margins like to believe. .

OP says a remote part of Oregon but nevermind that 98% of Oregon is remote. Oregon voted twice for Obama btw.

It looks anyway like a good ending for everyone cause this loony will probably end up back in the UK where he is welcomed and he'll be out of the USA where he is not. So it seems people everywhere still like happy endings.

Who said he will be welcomed back in the UK?

Somebody said I don't remember who that the guy may be invited to address parliament in Westminster. Victim of injustice and all of that.

After which UK can lecture Australia on its own successful model of how to protect an island country's coastline against immigrant assault. (No offense intended to NZ.)

Correct me if I'm wrong.....

And at your own risk.

The difference between protecting Australia and England as respective Islands is vastly different,Australia is a huge Continent with 3 time zones,whereas England could fit into one corner of Queensland or similar! I appreciate your joke,but this is like comparing,the Sahara Desert with the Amazon Rainforest!

Haroon Aswat a Brit? That's like saying Obama is an American!

If a tree falls in the Oregon woods near an al Qaeda training camp in 1999 and nobody hears it is it Obama's fault.

It is of course a rhetorical question given normal people know what The Donald and other crackpots on the margins like to believe. .

OP says a remote part of Oregon but nevermind that 98% of Oregon is remote. Oregon voted twice for Obama btw.

It looks anyway like a good ending for everyone cause this loony will probably end up back in the UK where he is welcomed and he'll be out of the USA where he is not. So it seems people everywhere still like happy endings.

Who said he will be welcomed back in the UK?

I don't know the law here but in England 'common law wifes' are not entitled to anything on a break up.

Things have changed while you have been away!

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/jun/08/law.gender

Merkel sure screwed Germany with her big dumb mouth , they will be paying for this for ever what an idiot she is .

Merkels personnel ambitions are all that's important! If she can retire with her Nobel Prize,then her name in the History books will have been accomplished! Doe's anybody really think she cares about Europe and her own people????

It depends on the individual perspective

To many it is a religion.

To others, like me, it is a philosophy, and a healthy way to live life.

I am not religious at all and consider all religions to be superstitions.

To address your question about Phee...

Ghosts and spirits, good or bad are not part of Buddhism,

They are part of animism, and Brahmanism that many who call themselves Buddhist have incorporated into their beliefs..

Normally I pay scant regard to some of your comments ,the other 50% we have 50% to be discuss.

"Is Buddhism a Religion?"

Were I to make a comment TODAY,

I would understand what Buddhism is about &

I would understand what Religion is.

Until then, I choose to say nothing.

Good choice!

You forgot the necessity to be worshiping a God to be a Religion!

It's a good example though, of our conditioned ideas or interpretations of the meanings of words, and our consequential response to these.

Perhaps, partly for the reason for concentrating on practice until personal experience reveals something beyond our conditioned views/ideas/beliefs.

When I say, "sell our ideas/beliefs", this may not be exclusively blatant but can range to quite subtle levels.

Ones Ego not only identifies with ones beliefs and attachments, it's also reinforced through social and sympathetic relationships formed through like minded views/beliefs.

This can be achieved by interacting with others of similar view, or by succeeding to persuade another to realign their views with yours.

In summary, God (and worship of) is not essential to a religion.

Buddhism is a religion, as it promises a state, both permanent and unconditioned (beyond the physical) which is the leading most common ingredient of the definition of religion.

None of us want to die.

My Ego wants to know, have I one you over?

Unfortunately no! the answer is not that simple.it is or a not a Religion? press on brother.

You forgot the necessity to be worshiping a God to be a Religion!

It's a good example though, of our conditioned ideas or interpretations of the meanings of words, and our consequential response to these.

Perhaps, partly for the reason for concentrating on practice until personal experience reveals something beyond our conditioned views/ideas/beliefs.

When I say, "sell our ideas/beliefs", this may not be exclusively blatant but can range to quite subtle levels.

Ones Ego not only identifies with ones beliefs and attachments, it's also reinforced through social and sympathetic relationships formed through like minded views/beliefs.

This can be achieved by interacting with others of similar view, or by succeeding to persuade another to realign their views with yours.

In summary, God (and worship of) is not essential to a religion.

Buddhism is a religion, as it promises a state, both permanent and unconditioned (beyond the physical) which is the leading most common ingredient of the definition of religion.

None of us want to die.

My Ego wants to know, have I one you over?

Rocky how I

Here is the Dictionary definition of a Religion:

:the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods:

If that makes my definition of Religion "very narrow" and indeed the Dictionary, then I offer no apologies for that which is most likely!

Is there only one dictionary and one definition, like there is only one God?

Just out of curiosity, I referred to my Merriam Webster dictionary for its definition of religion.

Following are the main definitions, with my emphasis in bold.

1. The service and worship of God or the supernatural.

2. A personal set or institutionalised system of religious attitudes, beliefs and practices.

3. Scrupulous conformity.

4. A cause, principle or system of beliefs held to with ardour and faith.

I think Buddhism would inarguably fit into most of the above definitions. I made the point in an earlier post that I thought Buddhism might fall out of the definition of 'religion' if the practicing of certain Buddhist meditation techniques did not require a belief in the supernatural aspects of traditional Buddhism, such as karma and rebirth.

However, in light of the above dictionary definitions, if a person practices certain Buddhist techniques with scrupulous conformity, regularity and ardour, such as meditating every day for 2 hours without fail, always eating only one meal a day, regularly shaving one's head and face, (if one is a monk) and arising at 5 am every morning, and so on, then such behaviour and practices in themselves can be considered religious, and would fit into the 2nd, 3rd and 4th definitions above, particularly the 3rd and 4th definitions.

Thus endeth the lesson on 'How to read a dictionary'.

You forgot the nececessity to be worshipping a God to be a Religion!

As money collection is part of the game it's bears all signs of a religion.

True! but much higher than the normal accumulation of religious wealth!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Buddhist_temples_in_Thailand

everyone is a goldmine!

This is not correct. A relatively small number of temples in Thailand have a lot of money from offerings due to sacred relics, a famous Buddha image, a famous deceased monk, a famous living monk, significant historical importance, cultural importance, or unusual and attractive architecture. The majority, which are quite poor, rely on offerings from locals, which doesn't amount to much.

Also, Lampang2, money collection is not a "sign of religion." Many secular organisations collect money. To provide facilities and services for members, organisations - including religions - have to have money. At the very least, you need to build and maintain a meeting place for members, if that's what they want.

Furthermore, if anyone wish to make money out of a religion, they will rather start a church instead of a temple. Church collect much much more money based on the collection during mass and percentage from income tricks.

Well somebody is getting the money,as anyone knows Churchs are very poor,and can sometimes take many years to accumulate a new Church roof!

Sending Cash by Royal Mail,from the UK has always been safe,I see no reason why sending Documents would be any more risky!

Technically it is not a Religion,but more a Philosophy,the main point: there is no claim to a God!

But I suspect other Religions probably started out the same way,and in time Buddhism may very well go the same way,the peoples devotion indicate going in that direction!

Your definition of religion is very narrow.

How can a teaching be referred to as a Philosophy if it includes existence in two states, one characterized by conditioning and impermanence, and the other of the permanent and unconditioned?

Samsara (the natural world we find ourselves in) & Nibanna (the unborn, the deathless, timeless, boundless, knowing without a knower).

Hardly philosophy.

It's OK though.

We are all trapped by our conditioning, myself included.

We tend to focus on the sections of the Buddhas teaching which aligns with our beliefs.

If you have an hour or two, read carefully through all the posts on this thread.

Each of us is attempting to sell our beliefs to the others.

How many here have dropped their fixed states and embraced what others have brought to the table?

I'd put my money on none.

This is OK as well.

The Buddha taught that we are our own refuge.

Anchored to our egos (false identity), as long as we have the drive to adopt correct regular practice we can move to states in which we will be guided to having personal experience.

An unfolding of what really is.

Until this occurs we are reliant on egotistic motives to get the ball rolling.

If philosophy ticks ones egos box, then this is cool, as long as it drives you to practice.

"Each of us is attempting to sell our beliefs to the others."

I don't have any beliefs of which to sell!

Reading up on religeous beliefs,the basic consensus is generally considered a religeon has a God in order to be considered a Religeon in the first place!

Here is the Dictionary definition of a Religion:

:the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods:

If that makes my definition of Religion "very narrow" and indeed the Dictionary, then I offer no apologies for that which is most likely!

Technically it is not a Religion,but more a Philosophy,the main point: there is no claim to a God!

But I suspect other Religions probably started out the same way,and in time Buddhism may very well go the same way,the peoples devotion indicate going in that direction!

Your definition of religion is very narrow.

How can a teaching be referred to as a Philosophy if it includes existence in two states, one characterized by conditioning and impermanence, and the other of the permanent and unconditioned?

Samsara (the natural world we find ourselves in) & Nibanna (the unborn, the deathless, timeless, boundless, knowing without a knower).

Hardly philosophy.

It's OK though.

We are all trapped by our conditioning, myself included.

We tend to focus on the sections of the Buddhas teaching which aligns with our beliefs.

If you have an hour or two, read carefully through all the posts on this thread.

Each of us is attempting to sell our beliefs to the others.

How many here have dropped their fixed states and embraced what others have brought to the table?

I'd put my money on none.

This is OK as well.

The Buddha taught that we are our own refuge.

Anchored to our egos (false identity), as long as we have the drive to adopt correct regular practice we can move to states in which we will be guided to having personal experience.

An unfolding of what really is.

Until this occurs we are reliant on egotistic motives to get the ball rolling.

If philosophy ticks ones egos box, then this is cool, as long as it drives you to practice.

"Each of us is attempting to sell our beliefs to the others."

I don't have any beliefs of which to sell!

Reading up on religeous beliefs,the basic consensus is generally considered a religeon has a God in order to be considered a Religeon in the first place!

Here is the Dictionary definition of a Religion:

:the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods:

Technically it is not a Religion,but more a Philosophy,the main point: there is no claim to a God!

But I suspect other Religions probably started out the same way,and in time Buddhism may very well go the same way,the peoples devotion indicate going in that direction!

Your definition of religion is very narrow.

How can a teaching be referred to as a Philosophy if it includes existence in two states, one characterized by conditioning and impermanence, and the other of the permanent and unconditioned?

Samsara (the natural world we find ourselves in) & Nibanna (the unborn, the deathless, timeless, boundless, knowing without a knower).

Hardly philosophy.

It's OK though.

We are all trapped by our conditioning, myself included.

We tend to focus on the sections of the Buddhas teaching which aligns with our beliefs.

If you have an hour or two, read carefully through all the posts on this thread.

Each of us is attempting to sell our beliefs to the others.

How many here have dropped their fixed states and embraced what others have brought to the table?

I'd put my money on none.

This is OK as well.

The Buddha taught that we are our own refuge.

Anchored to our egos (false identity), as long as we have the drive to adopt correct regular practice we can move to states in which we will be guided to having personal experience.

An unfolding of what really is.

Until this occurs we are reliant on egotistic motives to get the ball rolling.

If philosophy ticks ones egos box, then this is cool, as long as it drives you to practice.

"Each of us is attempting to sell our beliefs to the others."

I don't have any beliefs of which to sell!

Reading up on religeous beliefs,the basic consensus is generally considered a religeon has a God in order to be considered a Religeon in the first place!

As money collection is part of the game it's bears all signs of a religion.

True! but much higher than the normal accumulation of religious wealth!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Buddhist_temples_in_Thailand

everyone is a goldmine!

This is not correct. A relatively small number of temples in Thailand have a lot of money from offerings due to sacred relics, a famous Buddha image, a famous deceased monk, a famous living monk, significant historical importance, cultural importance, or unusual and attractive architecture. The majority, which are quite poor, rely on offerings from locals, which doesn't amount to much.

Also, Lampang2, money collection is not a "sign of religion." Many secular organisations collect money. To provide facilities and services for members, organisations - including religions - have to have money. At the very least, you need to build and maintain a meeting place for members, if that's what they want.

Over fourty thousand Temple (if that is true) would generate wealth IMO.

As money collection is part of the game it's bears all signs of a religion.

True! but much higher than the normal accumulation of religious wealth!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Buddhist_temples_in_Thailand

everyone is a goldmine!

Not much of a surprise, Id say he has got the Tories & their media lackeys running scared & they will use anything to try & discredit him in any way that they can, scary that these idiots are allowed to rule...

"Not much of a surprise, Id say he has got the Tories & their media lackeys running scared & they will use anything to try & discredit him in any way that they can",

Obviously you are having a laugh with the above statement,the Tories are having a laugh,and have never haved such weak opposition as Corbyn,who is a throw back to the 70s and Reds under the beds,style of the Labour Party. Unless they can get rid of Corbyn quickly,(damage limitation) then they have already lost the next Election,spoken by a lifetime Labour voter,who will be voting UKIP,from now on.

He should be Titled the Right honourable Dynasour !

Technically it is not a Religion,but more a Philosophy,the main point: there is no claim to a God!

But I suspect other Religions probably started out the same way,and in time Buddhism may very well go the same way,the peoples devotion indicate going in that direction!

How to make yourself rich using and juggling other peoples money around,

I've heard two news reports on this, one said a heavy object was dropped and the other reported it was a heavy flask.

Some Chinese made flasks are made of metal but never the less it doesn't say much for the quality of the glass supposed to be taking the weight of people.

What about the one that cracked in london when somebody dropped something on it a similar manner....was that chinese glass as well ?....or maybe pilkertons ?

Doubful it would have been "Pilkingtons" glass!

Good for him. I have no time for unearned elitism. His excuses are pretty pathetic but the fact he stands by his principles is good

Stands by his principles, you've got to be joking. For all his political life he has been against the EEC and then the EU , then when he is elected the leader of the Labour Party by the Union Leaders, he amazingly changes his stance.

Corbyn is a Labour Dynasour that is still fighting the Reds under the bed 70s era! need I say more?