huli

there are small bags 5 liter I think, in Big C Hang Dong gardening supplies, nice stuff

Does it say peat moss on the bags I wonder ?

Yes, the green bags right on the shelf say Peat Moss. In the directions on the bag they direct the buyer to mix with first a measured amount of water then 1/3 vermiculite before use. You get the vermiculite at the flower market as many have said. I looked all over to finally find peat moss at Big C. I never found good peat moss at the FM but I could have missed it. Just go to Big C.

there are small bags 5 liter I think, in Big C Hang Dong gardening supplies, nice stuff

There are two go go bars in CM. Two nights ago I decided to have a beer in one of them. Foxy Lady was closed and Spotlight had a total of 4 dancers of poor quality. Seems like this may have affected the go gos too.

My Apple Mac "died" without warning and I need to replace it urgently. Any suggestions fro the best place to purchase an Apple Mac in Chiang Mai?

How dead is dead - there is an apple service centre in airport plaza now

I went to the new Apple Service Center at AP. I told them my MacBook was/is infected with a malware/adware and would they clean this out for me? After 3 trips to the back to consult with the technician, the young lady told me that the technician removed it, there is no charge, you can take it home now, goodbye. This was BS, nothing was done that improved or solved the problem. It was just a waste of time, and no fun waiting for my que.

2nd floor Pantip Plaza always fixes my Epson printer usually right away when i walk in with it

There is Zen Hydroponics tucked away in a soi between Loy Kroh and Tae pae. Google it. Sells the fertilizer and supplies. Nice guy. Its hard to find though. Just a backyard operation. Pm me i.f you want specifics of location.

Rocky said:

Lets live this life to its maximum potential free of aversion, greed & delusion."

My response:

Rocky,

IMO it is a mistake to make this statement from a Buddhist perspective.

It is quite like saying "I think therefore I am", which leads to Western thought.

It is the opposite of Buddha's teaching on selflessness.

If we want to live lives free of delusion, this is the ultimate delusion, according to my understanding of basic Buddhism.

It is possible to defend the statement, sure, but to say it is the one thing we know absolutely, that I think is wrong.

For what it's worth

Huli

Yes, my wife and I went CM to Korea with a 5 hour wait then direct to Chicago over Thanksgiving on Korean Air for about $1500 each. Good food and entertainment, nothing to complain about. On the way back the wait in Korea is only 2 hours.

Through the ages, there have always been people who know the absolute truth and are therefore competent and qualified to teach it and recognize others' realization. In the case of the Mahayana and Vajrayana, there have been many such beings who have appeared. This relates to the idea of reincarnation and the fruits of successful practice. In Mahayana and Vajrayana, realized beings do not simply end their physical existence. Those who have taken the Bodhisattva vow reincarnate as spiritually evolved beings. Moreover, a single spiritually evolved being may do this for many, many human lifetimes. For example, HH Dudjom Rinpoche, at Tibetan master of the mid-20th century was recognized as the most highly realized master from among all Tibetan schools. His incarnation lineage includes that in a previous life, he was Shariputra, one of Shakaymuni's closets disciples. Hinayanists don't accept this but it is a deeply held belief among all Tibetan schools. As further example, by the time Dudjom Rinpoche was 14 years old, he had already mastered all four schools of Tibetan Buddhism and, at that age, lead large month-long ceremonies attended by 1,000s of monks and lamas.

The question always arises, "Who decides that such-and-such person is a spiritually realized being?" Beings like Dudjom Rinpoche and others are foretold in histories and predictions left by previous masters. Also, such beings don't get to rest on their laurels...they must prove themselves. As mentioned, Dudjom Rinpoche was able to lead large groups of monks and lama through very complex, month-long ceremonies at the age of 14. No one who was not fully realized could ever accomplish it, a charlatan could not, a phony couldn't, even a very smart and well-trained monk could not - it would be impossible for someone to simply do so. It's not be any different than claiming your are great physicist but know very little about physics - you'd be discovered in two seconds by those who did know. There are many such examples in the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions. It is in the Hinayana where so many doubts about this still linger.

I don't know from which sutta/writing, but didn't even the Buddha himself say: "I am not omnipotent!".

If he wasn't, how could Dudjom Rinpoche be?

No, my understanding is that when one attains Buddhahood, it includes omnipotence: knowing the past, present, and future of all beings.

The capacity to know everything is omniscience.

To have unlimited power is to be omnipotent.

Just saying.

I wouldnt doubt that a Buddha might know the past, present, and future of all beings. But that alone would not make him omniscient, much less omnipotent.

If a person sticks to Theravada, the interpretation of the dharma is pretty consistent IMO. Once you allow for the Mahayana and the Tibetans, sure, it can get all over the place, perhaps even "tangential" in some respects.

I'm finding there is a lot of "pick & choose", not only on which scriptures but also which interpretations.

We're talking about practices which can take a lifetime to master.

Practices which have the power to alter our habits.

Once we adopt new habits, right or wrong, why would we reject them? Especially if we are conditioned to believe they are the Buddhas teaching.

If you go out there and do a survey you'll find interpretations, paths and practices are all over the place.

Even the one you subscribe to contains a myriad of interpretation.

Hi Rocky,

I agree with you that it is a problem figuring out who to listen to in this world, about Buddhism or anything else. If we believe or follow the wrong person or "guide" for a long time, it would be a waste of time or "a cruel misunderstanding" as you put it.

That's why Buddha said to judge for yourself if a person makes sense or not before believing them.

If a person is following a guide for years fruitlessly, I think that person should reasonably doubt that guide. However, the basic Buddhist teachings make sense, so there is no reason to doubt those.

As you mentioned, some people on this forum say that everyone needs a guide, and there are such guides. I don't think that was what Buddha said though. Didn't he say to follow his teachings after he was gone?

Now, you may say what teachings? The teachings on the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, and the ones on how to meditate. These particular sutras are not subject to misinterpretation, or barely so, IMHO.

In summary, the Buddhist Path is not one of "picking and choosing", with "paths and practices all over the place", and "myriad interpretations".

Or that would be my take on it. Thank you for the dialogue.

Respectfully submitted.

Check my auto-signature phrase, "If two scholars agree, one is not a scholar; if two siddhas disagree, one not a siddha." This is a Tibetan proverb meaning that there will always be disagreements on philosophy, it's what keeps inquiry alive, fresh and meaningful. Fortunately, Buddhists don't go to war with each other over their differences. For the other part, a siddha is someone who has achieved a high state of realization and, according to the proverb, that realization is unmistakeable and beyond fault. Hence, if someone claims to be a siddha but there is a dispute about the quality of that realization, then one of them is not truly realized, ie., is not a siddha. That is to say, there is no mistake in Buddha nature; if someone perceives a mistake in Buddha nature, it is really the impure perception of the one who finds fault.

Yes, but this Siddha is only known to him/herself or to other Siddhas.

Where are the guides?

The interpretations of Dharma are so wide and numerous, they are tangential (will never meet).

Discussion and debate of the unknown is healthy, but spending a lifetime practicing a misunderstanding is cruel.

Buddha said that we should examine any teachings for ourselves, and we will be able to tell if they make sense or not (Kalamas).

If a person sticks to Theravada, the interpretation of the dharma is pretty consistent IMO. Once you allow for the Mahayana and the Tibetans, sure, it can get all over the place, perhaps even "tangential" in some respects.

Doubt in the Buddhist Path is one of the 5 basic hindrances and will prevent any progress on this Path. If you think about it, this teaching about doubt makes sense, so it can be accepted.

Spending one's life as a Buddhist, yet having doubt in the Path, is pitiful, and surely worse than having a misunderstanding (which is a noun not a verb). I mean, us regular people don't understand everything perfectly, who knows if we ever will, but that doesn't mean we are "practicing a misunderstanding".

Certain Pali scholars have made their reputation in casting doubt on the dharma in creative ways. It boils down to, either you follow them to nowhere, or get back to the basics that make sense to you.

Respectfully submitted

I consider myself a Buddhist now, and that I got my start in the 70's when I first became acquainted with Krishnamurti. He did not claim to be a Buddhist, but his views were similar.

You can go back to sripat and ask to see a doctor. Keep going to the big room at the end of the hall. They speak english. It will not cost that much for the doctor. 200-300 baht probably. No need for an appointment usually.

Hummus! Now someone is eating sensibly !! Try this: http://mideastfood.about.com/od/appetizerssnacks/r/hummusbitahini.htm

Dave (The Duke's), where would you be without the local carnivores ?! Perhaps you could hand out coupons for free cholesterol testing! By the way, one local hospital is doing a promotion !! Or hand out afterdinner statin tablets instead of mints!

Perhaps TV commentators addicted to and overindulging at your place should automatically be barred from the new (now on hold) health insurance plan for foreigners in Thailand.

Sing for your supper!! http://www.metrolyrics.com/fat-and-greasy-lyrics-thomas-fats-waller.html

Rather than an honest critique of this wildly popular restaurant, you post only insulting remarks. So what if some of the meals are rather high in fat? What is it to you if a lot of people enjoy a high-fat meal from Dukes on occasion? Perhaps TV commentators such as you should automatically be barred from posting.

Usually displayed by a business, they are supposed to attract money or customers to the business, according to my Thai wife.

I went tonight with my wife. Met the owner, got a tour, enjoyed our meals. Its a really nice place.

When I moved here 4 years ago I was scared to drive for a long time. I thought it was too dangerous for me to ever drive here. But then we built a house and my wife insisted we get a motorcycle because we were always having to go get supplies for the builders. I gradually got used to driving but it was nerve-wracking. My wife would be on the back carrying stuff and coaching me. 6 months ago we bought a car, and I went thru the same process with my wife coaching me.

At this point I've been all over the North with both the motorcycle and the car, and it's OK.

It's just a learning curve. If these other people can drive, so can you. There are a lot of tips to consider like with the red lights, and many other things to look out for. Drive slowish and stay constantly alert. When you have a close call, examine the circumstances and learn from it.

Driving a motorbike around CM especially the old city and thereabouts adds a lot to the fun of living here.

Try ying yang massage at Loi Kroh rd. You would not think it but they all are lady boys.

Bars with ladyboys on Loi Kroh yes

Massage shops with ladyyboys on Loi Kroh I've never seen one, and I've been to both of the Yin Yangs

this means you liked the big hands massage ?

Ha Ha, no that's not what I mean! I think you are defaming the place untruthfully. But if you have had a "big hands massage there" then you would know.

Try ying yang massage at Loi Kroh rd. You would not think it but they all are lady boys.

Bars with ladyboys on Loi Kroh yes

Massage shops with ladyyboys on Loi Kroh I've never seen one, and I've been to both of the Yin Yangs

Our printer gets clogged nozzles that I can't clean myself using the utilities once or twice a year. Mywife uses it a LOT. The guy on the second floor of Pantip Plaza is most accomodating, fast, cheap, and he has always been able to fix it.

The food is first class, seriously the nicest Thai food I have had in 7 years here - the price is ridiculous., main courses are around 60 baht - I am sure anyone who has been will back me up on this.

Not me. I like the atmosphere there, but, to me, the food is pretty much the same as any other Thai vegetarian place that makes it fresh. I have never understood why some people think that it is so special.

Some folks rave about A Taste of Heaven too, but I put it right in the same category.

My wife and I ate at Taste of Heaven a couple days ago and were informed by the waitress that they were closing due to a lease problem. Food options were limited and the interior was partly gutted already. Too bad, I kinda liked that place.

Yesterday, we tried the newish vegetarian restaurant on Chang Klan. It's a bit south of the traffic Lanna Palace Hotel traffic light and across from that new shopping center, I forget the name. Anyways there is a big sign on the road and you need to turn in and go a ways behind where there is plenty of parking. The ambience of the place shady trees et al is fine, there is an big menu and very reasonably priced. We thought the food was a bit bland, other than that, it was a nice experience.

While I have a chance, I'll put in a plug for the Lanna Palace buffet lunch, every day at 11:30. You don't hear it mentioned much with the other popular buffets, but it is well worth checking out for about 180 baht.

My Thai wife and I live in a residential area south of Chiang Mai Gate. There are a lot of hill-tribers around and over a year ago our next-door neighbor convinced us to put up one of those boxes (ours is red) and get the BIB to stop and sign the book on a routine basis. We have been splitting the monthly cost of 600 baht with him. The idea being that we have them a bit more attentive to any problem, should one occur. They come by about once a day on an irregular basis and sign the book. As it happened, there have been a couple of neighborhood issues, but we don't think that his arrangement made any difference in the police services provided, to tell you the truth, and we are thinking of quitting.

In the 4 Noble Truths Buddha said that the origin of suffering is selfish desire, not "the mind being sent outside."

Likewise, following the 8-fold path to overcome selfish desire is the way to overcome suffering, not

"seeing the mind clearly."

In my opinion, what the monk says is different from what Buddha said, and it's not just a matter of saying the same thing with different words.