huli

I've been paying 1200 baht a month to take my step daughter to school in a rot deng/songthew. From home to school is only about 4 kilometers. Now I'm starting to wonder, how come everybody else gets it cheaper?

My wife was raised in these parts and remembers about the beetles from her childhood summers spent in Fang. She says it all starts by catching a female usually by someone climbing a tree who knows what they are looking for to get one. She says the females are a bit longer and thinner than the males, and especially have a far less developed set of pinchers. Placing the female inside the section of sugar cane and suspending it from a ceiling overnight, in the morning there would be males, anywhere from 1 to 3 or so, clinging to the sugar cane. She could then sell the males to people who would fight them 1 on 1, when the betting occurred. They hiss at each other and bite each other. She could get 4-5 baht apiece for the males, and it was one of those country ways of making small money as a kid.

I've taken a lively interest in this Forum and especially Fabian Fred's postings. I like to hear from a fellow farang, a monk who is "walking the walk" not just "talking the talk", as they say. I live in Chiang Mai with my Thai wife who has roots in Fang, so I guess that makes his postings especially interesting for me as well.

I thought I'd like to put my 2 cents out there in reply for what it's worth as I have a few impressions.

The first I would like to mention is that the idea that something good or very good will go away from this earth soon seems to be a fairly common idea. Think about the people who fret about their country, the environment, armageddon, the family, or ample food, as examples. I'm not saying anything or everything might have an ending, just that it is common for humans to envision such. Along this line, conceiving the end of Buddhism in Thailand, seems just another concept or idea to fret over. Losing something we cherish is obviously one of the common sources of suffering, not that I am in any position to advise FF, quite the contrary. This does not address the truth of the matter, just the idea of worrying about it.

I would respectfully note that the sign was posted by a monk at FF temple, and this monk just happened to do so. It started as an idea, and the monk chose to take it further by posting it. Now, his idea has a life of its own, and has to be accepted or rebutted.

I'm not in any position to judge the extent that fake monks are diluting real Buddhist monks, but I don't doubt some men who are down and out would find provision of food, shelter, clothing and medicine to be a good deal in exchange for keeping enough precepts to get by. It seems like a stretch to expect these fake monks to take over whole temples and drive out the real monks. If the lay people saw that the monks were breaking the precepts openly and substantially, I think they would quit giving offerings or participating in such a temple.

I would suggest that Buddha's teaching has enough inherent value as a counterpoint to materialism/selfishness that it will always be sought after by those whose mind is far above the water in the lotus pond, to borrow a simile.

Although predictions of the future can be made, and then be correct or not, it doesn't seem like worthwhile to stress about such a thing. I understand that a respected monk has made this prediction, but really, is it his role to be a soothsayer? If he does have such powers, did Buddha say to use them?

Those of us on this Forum believe Buddhism offers a tremendous value to mankind. We want to promote Buddhism, and not see people get lost in attachment. So, we are concerned to see Buddhist values marginalized. But, to predict Buddhism will be gone from Thailand in 100 years seems overly and unnecessarily pessimistic.

thanks for posting that...very interesting

following up on Nancy L, my wife and I had the following experience. Bangkok Bank said yes our joint acct would be frozen in the event of my death, so no point in adding her name to that. We were advised to go to the Amphur and make a will covering this acct, as has been mentioned already. Jade them did their number with us with the ultimate sealed envelope in our hands to give to the bank should the time come.

Coments, only the said bank acct was allowed on the will, nothing else. Since I have a yellow book, I was advised to get my mental competency paper at the government hospital, and not at Ram where I usually go for stuff. I was directed to go to the govt hospital by Wararot Market, did so, waiting an hour, got the aper for 50 baht. I had to pay 250 baht to the Amphur for the will, which I think was a discount due to having a yellow book. They wouldn't give us any copies, just the sealed envelope, for some reason. The service at the Amphur was great. It's a good idea to be able to sign your name in Thai as well as English. I'm all set for 300 baht.

Perhaps Bankei only saw what went on in his own temple and assumes it is the same everywhere.

In our temple there is very little wasted since several old people who perhaps live alone, some local drunks, the temple cleaning lady, and many local kids often ask for and get any surplus. Another man collects unwanted rice to prepare meals for the temple stray dogs. Another comes looking for feed for his pigs.

We do get a lot, but that is because there are many lay-followers who want to give, not a few giving alot.

Merit is also gained when people give to the needy, but karma created not only depends upon the giver but also the receiver. Thai people flock to make merit with a famous monk who is suspected of having attainments and perhaps having reached the goal of Arahant because more merit can be expected when done with such a person.

Giving alms to a Buddha would naturally gain far more merit than the same act to an ordinary monk because Buddhas are so rare and prescious. Many Thais prefer to give to fully ordained monks than Novices because the monks are trying to keep 227 precepts which is far more difficult than the 10 a novice has to keep.

Equally, negative karma created with a good person is far worse than the same done with a bad person, and horrific if done with a truly holy person.

The Christian saying "all men are born equal..." is just not true since we are all unique and a product of our past karma and past lives.

Those people who are devout Buddhists will enjoy gaining merit from donations to the Sangha, and perhaps they also help other too....we have no way of knowing.

Theravada monks are not allowed to grow their own food or do any kind of gardening but are expected to go out on alms-round to make their presence known to the lay community. Cutting themselves off from the outside world is a certain quick way to end all support and cause the demise of the Sangha and therefore the opportunity for people to hear the teachings and gain merit.

Remember than only a few people on this planet have the opportunity to play on the internet.

This is a load of complete and utter BS and jibberish! You try to tell people that you as monks, are superior in your thinking compared to "laypeople". It is prejudiced eliticed and despicable. And your quoting "all men are born equal" as a Christian saying is incorrect. Where does it say that in their Bible? You have misused a quote from the American Declaration of Independence saying "all men are created equal". And you claim the right to judge that this is not true. Who gave you this right?

All this and you, as monks in Thailand and everywhere else, are nothing but parasites on society. Some of you even claim you are forbidden to work or do anything useful, only pray and "enlighten" yourselves. Talk about being lazy bums. If you had any kharma, you'd be ashamed of yourselves.

Obviously this last post adds nothing to what was an interesting thread. I thought it was a violation of ThaiVisa rules to post such a flame. I hope FabianFred and you others won't be discouraged from contributing on this account. I know I appreciate it.

Just got back from YMCA, every saturday 5-30 - 6.30 and its free!! Only thing you have to pay for is 150bt membership for the year. This also includes 3 aerobic classes a week!

I couldnt find baan yii and gonna check out university later.

Thanks again guys

Baan Yi Yoga is located in Sri Ping Muang area, just around the corner from the 7-11 off Wiang Ping Rd

My wife goes there tues-fri mornings for many months. an hour and a half per day for the 590 baht a month. It's been a real good thing for her. I might add, it's mainly for women.

I believe Science will very soon able to prove it; based on the theory that energy can neither be created or destroyed but can be transformed.

Isn't that what is life and rebirth about ?

Even if there is no self, per se, there is some force that holds the aggregates together temporarily as a human life. It follows that this something, call it energy, would need to go somewhere at death, and this represents a logical and scientific rationale for non-personal reincarnation. First Law of Thermodynamics and all that.

Using the term reincarnation is itself problematic from a Buddhist perspective. There can be no such thing as a "non-personal reincarnation" as the term reincarnation implies that something is reincarnated with life, i.e. matter. When in fact matter already has a life-force of its own. To suggest that matter is re-infused with life suggests some transcendent or eternal otherness (soul?) which mystically embodies something with life. This is ok from a theistic point of view, However, is incompatible with Buddhist thought, which prefers to use the term "rebirth".

I stand corrected on the better term "rebirth", compared to "reincarnation". However, I doubt if either term is immune to an incorrect interpretation of Buddhist thought on non-self. The jist of my posting was how one can imagine a scientific and logical transmigration of I can't say what, based on energy, to wit, the First Law of Thermodynamics, that is "no self" and "non-personal", as was specified. Although you may find a soul and theistic point of view in the term "reincarnation", not everyone does, and none was intended.

I believe Science will very soon able to prove it; based on the theory that energy can neither be created or destroyed but can be transformed.

Isn't that what is life and rebirth about ?

Even if there is no self, per se, there is some force that holds the aggregates together temporarily as a human life. It follows that this something, call it energy, would need to go somewhere at death, and this represents a logical and scientific rationale for non-personal reincarnation. First Law of Thermodynamics and all that.

I wouldn't mind throwing in my two cents here. I was raised Catholic, was an altar boy, attended Catholic school for 9 years, and knew nothing else. I understood that I would go to heaven or hell depending on my behavior, and had concerns there. I could never understand or accept the idea that some African could never go to heaven because he never accepted JC, when he had no chance to ever hear about him. Then in my 20s, I read The World's Religions by Houston Smith and was blown away by the descriptions of Hinduism and Buddhism. I was relieved to hear of religions that didn't rely on acceptance of the Catholic world-view. Some time later, I read Think on these Things by Krishnamurti, and that set me off to reading nearly all of his books for the next 20 years or so. Then I got into Joel Goldsmith, especially A Parenthesis in Eternity. He's a Christian mystic, I just ignored the Christian stuff, but reading him really gave me an experience of a quiet meditative awareness. I really felt I was changing for the better.

For the past 10 years or so, I have been studying Buddhism almost exclusively. I don't think there is any need to study anything else anymore as Buddha explained the mind in exquisite detail. I don't think I completely understand it all, but enough to see truth in it. I do samatha meditation most days for the past few months, and have tasted some benefit there, enough to make me want to continue or even increase this practice.

My Buddhist interest is almost exclusively in the Theravada. I suspect Zen has some good points to consider. Other than that, I don't buy into the Mahayana conceptions. I abhor the fact that a lot of it sounds like the Christianity I left, with all the heavens and heavenly beings, for example. I really don't see why the Buddhists didn't stick with the original Buddhism and the original sutras, and just follow what Buddha said. So, naturally I am inclined to the Theravada tradition. It doesn't hurt that I live in Chiang Mai and have a Thai wife who wants to be a good Buddhist. The fact that Thailand's Buddhism is Theravada has always added to my fascination with this place.

the gold standard is probably the Grandview hotel, IMO, something like 180 baht as I recall

75 views

thoughts, feelings, reflections, feedback, conversation???

anyone????

I was a bit intrigued by your posting and sent you a pm yesterday. I don't see any reply from you so far. I imagine that is because you didn't get it. I thought that would be the preferred venue for a conversation versus a public forum.

This is just a typical Mahayana statement. They developed this Bodhisattva emphasis way beyond the teachings of Buddha. Among other things. Would be my 2 cents.

Despite possible leanings, whether Mahayanan or Theravadan, both will teach hell realms and much suffering due to Karmic accumulation.

The book provides details of these hell realms as follows:

Punishment is undergone day and night throughout many eons without ceasing for a moment.

Those punishments are inflicted by instruments of torture such as forks, clubs, by eagles, serpents, wolves and dogs, or by pounding, grinding, drilling, chiseling, cutting & chopping, or by boiling liquids, iron nets, iron ropes, or by rawhide strips bound around ones head, or molten iron poured over ones body, or by meals of iron pellets, and drinks of molten iron.

When these worlds are destroyed offenders are re born into another one, and another, and another and return to the original one when the original one comes into being again.

To describe all the hells, all the variations of punishments, and the evil beasts, ghosts, and spirits meting out these punishments would take eons to describe.

Offenders continually undergo thousands of deaths and as many rebirths each day and night from the moment they first enter this hell and on through hundreds of eons without a moments relief until the karma is exhausted.

We've spoken before about unspent karma leading to Infinite occurrences of re birth.

A few here will tell you that re birth can be into several realms, many in quite terrible hell states.

Infinity suggests infinite possibilities.

I admit to being a junior member of this forum and make no claims for myself except that I am ready to learn where i need to.

However, the above comment to my 2 cents warrants my feedback, and hopefully others will find the dialogue interesting as well.

This is my hope, I do not mean to be argumentative, only to clarify the issue under discussion.

I did offer my suggestion that the Bodhisattva vow and hells are largely a Mahayana creation. The reply indicates that hell realms are equally Theravada. Now while some taint of afterlife hells might be found in popular Buddhism in Theravada countries, I don't think it is fair or accurate to say there is not a huge difference in emphasis between the traditions. In essence, I stick up for the Theravadists, who I think are wrongly depicted. This issue of hells, especially wildly creative hells in an afterlife was not an emphasis of Buddha in the Pali Cannon. Surely, that can be accepted.

Secondly, the document in question is referred to as a "Sutra". There is an authoritative ring to using such a word for this document. Someone wrote it. There is no historical connection to any source which we should trust. I take exception to the reply which states that this book provides "details" of this imaginative realm. Buddha said not to consider such statements as true, since it can not be verified. I think it is just a useful allegory that if you do bad, bad will follow, in the form of someone's wild imagination.

There may be some kind of a modern trend to say the Buddhism is anything that anyone says it is, but why not call a spade a spade? A lot of the Mahayana beliefs just don't jive with Orthodox Buddhism, not to deny where some have advanced Buddhism also. Zillions of Buddhas alive in heaven, that we can pray to? How is that anything but a wrong turn?

This is just a typical Mahayana statement. They developed this Bodhisattva emphasis way beyond the teachings of Buddha. Among other things. Would be my 2 cents.

I ordered from The Sahara and I thought it was pretty good. In fact I ordered a few of the western items and something Middle Eastern, because I enjoy Middle Eastern food and have yet to find something really good in Chiang Mai.

I was amazed at how similar the burger was to The Duke's Burger. The meat wasn't fresh ground as we do at The Duke's but it was a decent, maybe Northern Farm burger patty. The bun resembled the old style buns that we used to make. The pickle was similar to the pickles at The Night Bazaar shop and even the large tomato and the fresh cut fries seemed familiar. All in all it reminded me of a mini-The Duke's burger at a mini price, slightly more than our 99 Baht burger with cheese.

The Caesar Salad dressing was very similar to The Duke's with stone ground mustard as the binder and a flavor. I have only once seen a restaurant use stone ground mustard in the Caesar dressing and that was from the restaurant I worked at in Hawaii where I got the recipe from. The croutons resembled the croutons the girls make at both The Duke's restaurants. They are not my croutons but I usually let them get away with this style because they are flavorful. The bread was slightly similar to The Duke's foccacia but was not aged dough.

So I asked my managers about a couple of recent cooks that have left our employment and sure enough one of the girls is cooking at The Sahara. She was a good cook and I was sorry to lose her but you can't keep them all forever. I have to say that and she is doing a good job and I thought the food was good except for the pizza. This particular girl never worked in the pizza station and the pizza I got was not great but it was only 99 Baht, a great deal. I love pizza, any pizza. She is probably not the lead cook for the Middle Eastern food but good cooks usually learn fast because most kitchen work is endless production.

What I thought the star of the show was was the Middle Eastern kebobs that I got. The yellow rice was fluffy, fresh and delightful and the pork on the kebobs were marinated and delicious. The spicy sauce and the dill sauce were good as well. The really great thing was the price, so cheap.

I'm am not sure why the restaurants in Chiang Mai feel they have to cater to everyone from westerners to Thais to someone wanting the exotic. Clearly they feel as if they are leaving out a portion of their business by not including it all. While this might have been the case 20 years ago, today in Chiang Mai a restaurant can exist on it's singularly delicious and defining cuisine.

On another note for anyone wanting another taste of The Duke's, the Rider's Corner at the north end of Moon Muang has another good cook that is the lead there that used to be cooking at The Duke's. Philip is the owner there and it is a great place to hang out and have a couple of beers.

My wife and I went to Sahara yesterday for the deluxe burger lunch after I read about it on TV. I will grant you that the beef paddy was on the dry side but overall it was quite good. The place is beautiful, and the menu has a bunch of Middle East stuff that I am eager to try next trip. My overall observations are in line with the post above. The mustard must have had horseradish in it because it was really hot, and good!

chiangmai-mail.com has a detailed schedule of events

What technique are you practising? which teacher taught you this?

I'm not sure any technique encourages the classification of experience in terms of the 5 aggregates. It is important as part of the understanding that we/you/me is not a solid permanent self but when it comes to meditation all you need to do is observe constantly changing experience without classifying (beyond simple noting or labelling if needed) or conceptualising it or reacting to it. If you do that then the understanding you are trying to gain will naturally arise over time on an experiential/wisodom level rather than on the conceptual level which is where you are appear to be trying to do it.

Hi Brucenkhamen,

Thanks for your thoughtful reply.

I am practicing the samatha technique. Namely, try to focus concentration on the sensation of the breathe at the tip of the nose. Guide attention straight back when it wanders off. I don't have a teacher, I am just well-read, you could say. I am aware of the Buddhist Vipassana technique, and I plan to get into that after a while. Right now I am just trying to work on my concentration, which is usually considered a first step. I am not observing my constantly changing experience so much. I am trying to keep my attention focused on the breath, for now. And, with some clarity that results, to understand the five aggregates and how this samatha attention fits into them, admittedly on the conceptual level.

I see that you have a lot of experience on this forum, and I appreciate hearing your thoughts on the matter.

Hi Huli, this is a great question and I'm sure you'll get some helpful answers. For starters, though, it's gonna be Five Aggregates - form, feeling, perception, concept, and consciousness. Consciousness is considered a "construct" so it must be dealt with on its own terms and is ultimately left behind with regard to the goal of the Buddhist path: liberation.

Morning, Jawnie

Thanks for your reply last night. I have been trying to understand the 5 aggregates better thru books, the internet, and now this forum, I guess. I spent a lot of mental energy trying to understand consciousness, and I thought I had it down, but your reply makes me wonder. All the references say that consciousness boils down to the 6 kinds, one each, 5 senses plus the mental one. Visual consciousness, auditory consciousness, etc. What I now understand, tentatively, is that we human know that we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, and this is "consciousness". A whole level of awareness not possessed by other animals.

All of which makes me wonder about your last sentence. What am I missing? What is a construct? How is it left behind?

Again, I appreciate your input.

I've not been a part of this forum, but I have a question, and perhaps someone here would give me a hand.

I have been pondering the 5 aggregates, which I understand to be the sum total of a human. I have also been practicing samatha meditation in the classical Theravada manner, observing the breath, and returning to the breath whenever the mind drifts off into thoughts. So far, so good. It does seem to provide a unique perspective mentally. In trying to understand the how and why of this meditative practice, I am trying to see what part of the 4 mental aggregates are functioning during the activity. I tend to think it is consciousness aware of consciousness (?), or perhaps consciousness aware of the body (?). It seems to me that this practice should be known within the 4 mental aggregates.

It would help me to know where, and explain why the practice is uniquely helpful.

Would anyone care to share their ideas on this?

I tried it once. That was enough. After a disappointing meal I had to wait 15 minutes while they went to get change. They didn't have change for 100 Baht.

Similar thing happened to me. They were open but didn't have any falafel, they weren't ready, she said, so I had to order chicken in the pita bread. Chicken, lettuce and tomato, that was it. I had to ask for the green lime dressing stuff. Then she took off with my bill to go get change somewhere. I was the only one there. The owner did fawn on me a bit towards the end, hoping I was happy. It could be better now, I would hope so.

Just got back from lunch at Bupa Terrace, and again impressed with the ambience, food, and cost. Many of us retired farangs so enjoy the various restaurants around, and i'm thinking why not recommend this place to ya' all. I've been there for dinner a couple of times, and that was fine, they even had live music with a piano, a saxaphone, and a violin that evening. But I have been there dozens of times for lunch which is a buffet of some really tasty Thai food for only 69 baht! Every day. The dining room is fully cool a/c with beautiful wooden everything, drapes, a koi pond right outside, and some speaker music. The staff is all smiles and uniformed, whilst greeting and saying good-by come again with a wai. I am fortunate to live in the area.

It's easy to find, and lots of parking. Going south on either Tippanet or Wailai Roads, they merge just before the traffic light. Turn left there onto Sripingmuang Road. A couple of hundred meters later, the road turns right, with Bupa Terrace then coming up on the left shortly. The big parking lot is on the right, so you will need to walk across the street after parking. There is plenty of signage.

Conversely, coming up from Hang Dong or Airport Plaza, turn right onto Sripingmuang Road at the traffic light to get there.

A/C comfort in a beautiful setting, a fine meal, for only 69 baht!

My Thai wife and I returned to her hometown of Chiang Mai about a year and a half ago. She lived with me in America for 8 years. At first we lived with her mother and kids while we considered where to move permanently. We ended up buying land in the general neighborhood and building our house last year from April-August. We decided not to do the usual thing and get a house out in a mooban somewhere, but to get a place more centrally located to the old town. We were lucky enough to get a good deal on the land. There are still parcels available but most owners are holding out for a high price. We made our own rough blueprint, and a government official did the legal one and got it all approved for about $1K. We hired a Thai contractor and crew to build the property border walls and the house, after getting a few bids. We bought all the materials ourselves and they did the labor only. We've been in the house since last August.

Not that there weren't problems during construction. We were here every day and often had to go shopping for something 2-3 times a day. They were not very good about predicting their needs. I kept their spirits up (pardon the pun) by buying them cigarettes and soft drinks daily, with lunches and booze after work every few days. Along the way, there were occasions where we had to pay extra for work that was not included, like building the kitchen counters. The biggest problem was that it took longer than it was supposed to because the workers quit coming and the crew dwindled in size. At one point the contractor wanted to quit. Also, we paid the contractor in installments, and he ended up asking us to pay him early, and we would give him some. He took a personal beating over this project which was ambitious for him. He lost a lot of the money gambling, and drank heavily, the workers had to wait and wait to get paid. His truck was repossessed and he had to rent one to bring the workers everyday. Some of the workers had no other options and kept coming to work. Many took other jobs or just quit. The low point was one day when only two guys showed up for a major cement pour, and the contractor was so hung over he couldn't help either. My wife and I carried buckets of cement all day but the job got done. My wife and I built the house together as a married couple, and I have an usufuct on the property. It is a very spacious two bedroom one story house of 108 sq meters with a wrap around roofed patio of 50 sq meters. We got the land for about 2.6 mil baht/144 talang wa. The house ended up costing us about 1.5 mil.

I am very pleased with the end result.

I really enjoy living this close to town, and in five minutes I can be anywhere on the bike.

That's my experience. Good luck to you!

I came to Thailand by myself in 2001. I think the experiences I had were much better than if I had come with a friend. While it's fun to have a companion, you have to keep checking with them, what they want to do, reach a consensus, and it's limiting. I think most of the people on this forum have long been marching to their own drummer. Sure, there are millions of people who are scared to travel alone, but there is little to be afraid of in Chiang Mai. I mean you been here twice already, let's face it. IMHO.

Lanna Palace at 140 baht and Mae Ping at 180 deserve to be mentioned, great bargains

The one next to Top North Hotel is running several nights a week starting at 9pm for the record, but they don't actually start til more like 9:30. The last time I went, it was packed with tourists in the 400 baht area, but plenty of room in the 600 baht closer seats. The first fights are little guys and the fights get progressively better as the fighters get bigger one fight after the other. The last fight is usually a foreigner against a Thai and always the best fight. It is a fun atmosphere with Thais running around looking for bets, noisy and crowded. I think your parents would have a great time. Other than the nice ladies who will bring you your beer-on-demand, there's not a bargirl scene like the ring on Loi Kroh. If memory serves me, they have fights on Monday and Thursday, but they had one on a Friday a couple weeks back, and I think they have more if the crowds are big, and they have been. Swing by, they have handouts promoting the next fight at the entry and someone is there to ask as well.