chutai

The Buddha laid down a very specific and detailed code of conduct for monks.

Most of what you describe clearly violates it.

Except that the rules of the sangha were formulated circa 100 years after Buddha Shayamuni's passing.

My reading of what the Buddha actually said was mostly advice on behaviour that is conducive to a clear conscience and makes you happy. A transformation of mind.

Anyone who tries to fathom the depths of Buddhism won't find many tules as such, but only only conduct that avoids falling into bad karma.

As for monks , I've tried to reason with Thai persons occasionally , that wearing a saffron robe does not exclude anyone from being human with all the delusionary baggage that ,by nature, comes with it. On the other hand there are those - whom like the Buddha - illuminate on the way.

Just think less of condemnation I think best , more think if I was a follower of the Buddha's teachings I wouldn't behave in that way.

Even if the annoying din from a Wat can be a right pain, it's just a reflection of Thai ways and not Buddhism per se. If these things disappeared then so would much of Thai traditional culture - which has more to do with a mish-mash of Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism , commercialism and being Thai than it does reflect on the profound truths found beneath the surface.

I had a good friend who was ordained in Thailand and was a monk for several years, Phra Peter Pannadpadipo was his given Pali name and even wrote a few books whilst still a monk. Although ultimately he was pretty critical of Thai Buddhism, or specifically the non-Buddhist functions that monks perform in Thailand.

I don't know which country you reside in , but if in the UK , Australia, or America (and probably other countries) there are Thai temples that you can check out first.

But sabaijai has posted all the officialdom that you need to know.

A bit more information is required. Where are you? Where is she? Are you normally resident in Thailand?

Yes , Bob, Everything will be in the UK . I suppose that I'll just apply for the visa as normal and perhaps put exceptional circumstances ?

Having only recently been diagnosed with T4 prostrate cancer , I was wondering if that could in any way circumvent - or at least be viewed more kindly/compassionately - the laborious application of obtaining a 3, or 6 month tourist visa for my 45 year old , long-term g.f ? Thanks

I actually like Aussies in an English / Aussie love-hate sort of way and as long as we retain the Ashes who cares.

PS

They call us POMs, when in fact it was their descendants who were Prisoners Of His Majesty's Government (POMS) . That is, they're all criminals anyway

Good to hear that they got a good kick in from both Thais and falangs

What's 'falangs'?

If they used plurals , the way Thai people pronounce farang or when extended farang sayt for French ?

They come act like fools, they think that it's ok to disrespect people and act like they are better than the local people. This happens in this country too often with both Brits and Aussies. They should take away there visa exempt status to visit the country. Make them get tourist visas to come here.

And other nationalities are all so well behaved? Why do some poster want to continually make racisit comments and seemingly pretend other nationalities have no issues with their behviour? (Obviously there own countrymen must be so perfectly behaved).

Read the news, open your eyes. Drunken thugish behaviour blights many countries. Do you expect them to behave differently if they travel?

It's true that other nationals do behave badly as well. But racist ! How can it be racist when white Aussies are the same race,i.e. caucasian. Please understand the term race before flaunting it

None of Richard Branson and Donald Trump's wealth came from government coercion.

But Branson has moved his Virgin Enterprises offshore in order to avoid paying British taxes. Legal (just) but morally bankrupt , imo.

Thanks for the heads up. I like Sir Richard Branson even more!

High tax governments should do more to foster wealth creation instead of running successful people away. The UK as well as the US tax structure discourages wealth. I don't blame him for moving his wealth offshore. Something is wrong with governments that run away successful people yet open their doors to unproductive immigrants that contribute very little to nothing at all.

Funny how you defenders of shady capitalists who make their wealth out of their country yet refuse to pay the taxes that their poorly paid employees have to, are also soft (?) racists who welcome the misinformation fed by those setting that agenda . For your information, migrants in the UK are half as likely to claim out of work benefits as British nationals are. As most of them are young they are far more likely to be actively seeking employment , or in most instances are fully employed and contributing to the national economy.

None of Richard Branson and Donald Trump's wealth came from government coercion.

But Branson has moved his Virgin Enterprises offshore in order to avoid paying British taxes. Legal (just) but morally bankrupt , imo.

Shouldn't that be Sir Richard Branson ? I know that knightoods have been grossly devalued in recent times , but even the capitalist hippy deserves the formal respect due. Even though I have absolutely no time for him.

I am in favour of legalising the eating of dogmeat, and stricter measures to prevent cruelty when they are killed. Soi dogs do nobody any good, least of all themselves; a life of scavenging, hunger, disease, and early death.

And you still want to eat them ?

What a silly remark!

No, of course I don't want to eat them.... but what you eat is up to you, and the same, within the law, applies to others.

Why is it silly, when by your own account you are advocating eating them whilst at the same time saying that many are disease ridden. Recently throughout Europe there has been a problem with meat (beef,etc) being labelled as such but actually being horse meat. Deception and sensibilities apart, the real health concern was that a percentage of them were slaughtered through having disease. It really isn't a question of taking a callous laissez-faire aprroach. It's a public health issue.

we love dogs and if you drive slower you will have no problem with dogs: simply horn to alert. As conclusion, you drive too fast.

Fair do's. Except my g/f was bitten when we were walking. As are most others I suspect.

I was bitten twice while walking on the streets of Chiangmai, and neither time was it a soi dog. Once, I was actually walking my Bangkaew who, contrary to his nature, stood by and watched.

But I don't blame the dogs; I blame the owners.

Yes , the same. We were walking along the main drag in Cha-Am. Not exactly a soi dog but a street dog nevertheless, ,i.e. without an owner. Something really ought to be done about the problem in the most humane way possible.

we love dogs and if you drive slower you will have no problem with dogs: simply horn to alert. As conclusion, you drive too fast.

Fair do's. Except my g/f was bitten when we were walking. As are most others I suspect.

If Thailand only had an animal control ministry they could go around Thailand and spay/nutter them. Silly to let dogs just breed like rats and make a mess of your country. A large part of the garbage problem comes from the dogs getting into the garbage to find food. Then there is the whole issue of the dogs being road hazzards.

I am all for the dogs being eaten, just make sure they are not mistreated before they are eaten.

if Thailand had only anything in control...sorry i forgot they have but just not enforced

Let alone the elephant in the room/on the streets, so to speak

I am in favour of legalising the eating of dogmeat, and stricter measures to prevent cruelty when they are killed. Soi dogs do nobody any good, least of all themselves; a life of scavenging, hunger, disease, and early death.

And you still want to eat them ?

They are not released back onto the streets, those that survive are taken to a government shelter in Nakhon Phanom. But don't let the facts get in the way of your uninformed ranting.

And what then? Doesn't the OP says the place in Nakon Phanom is already overcrowded.

Why don't you go help look after them if you are so concerned?

Been through all this before and I still haven't seen any of the animal lovers turn up here and adopt any of these beautiful misunderstood animals which have taken over some places so it's dangerous to even go there.

Got to go back for my fourth rabies and anti tet injection in a couple of weeks after getting bitten by one while riding my bike down the road, only cost a couple of thousand B so far, but what the heck, nothing else to spend it on.

Yep dog lovers unite, PM me and I'll arrange to show you where they are and you can each take several home and give them love and attention.

Strange that in a nominally Buddhist country that it should be foreigners mostly of other persuasions that care more about the welfare of animals (the respect and sanctity of all life and all that. ) But not all , obviously.

Anyone who's witnessed the transportation of pigs wouldn't ever forget it when the next tuck in to their cow puut moo - I never will and that's for sure.

To an American's ears, the term "sex fiend" seems somewhat misapplied here.

Why, some of my best friends are "sex fiends," but as far as I know none of them have ever been interested in anything but consensual sex with othrr adults. I daresay more than a few of them might be found reading this very forum.

This is where we are divided by a common language, The derivation of the word 'fiend' from old English means the opposite of 'friend' and was applied to generally an enemy of mankind (Satan), In many respects that's just what pedophiles are in practice.

Suspect nobody is interested in legalities (as with hospital not reporting) due to his age and condition so perhaps better to keep on back burner as he does not appear to have much of an option with return to home country even if able (although not sure if he would then have free treatment/housing perhaps)?

Certainly would be entitled to treatment, accommodation and shelter in UK.

As a non-resident he won't be entitled to treatment in the UK.

He'll be facing a grim time if he returns to the UK.

Can't be a UK national as there's a consulate in CM

Please, not this thread again.

Thais don't get it. They think they have the right to offend everyone in Thailand, and that no one can offended them

Are you sure you are not getting the Thais mixed up with Muslims?

Oh , so now the new racism - Islamaphobia - rares its ugly head. The irony is tangible.

"Thai don't even know what it is they are wearing can hardly blame the kids if they haven't been educated about the world outside. My niece was wearing a shirt/shorts that appeared to be made with the Union Jack and when I explained to her what it was she was very suprised. She thought it was just a trendy design. When I suggested that she make some clothing out of the Thai flag she was quite disgusted, saying you can't do that as it is disrepectful to Thailand."

That's silly The Union Flag has long been a fashion symbol and it in no way disrespectful. And taking everything into consideration- given the London Olympics and the Thai love affair with Premiership football, it must be very few indeed who don't know what the British flag looks like. I say this as an Englishman. Although there may be one cultural law for everything Thai , and another for the rest of the world.

This Hitler thing . maybe distasteful to we who know the history. Although as the doll in the video seems to to look a bit like Ronald McDonald , perhaps not so much to get offended about as I think there may be a point to be made there.

The rampant Islamophobes on this thread might consider that calliing Buddha Shayamuni the Lord Buddha is as medieaval and antiqauted as they assume the religion of Muslims to be. Respect is the key word that would be better internalised than any comparisons between possible outcomes of insulting anyone's religious sensibilities.

I'm not sure why anyone should think that people aren't capable of the strangest things. I remember a BBC documentary about Klong Prem , where a British bloke was serving a sentence for nicking the police camera whilst being held for questioning - he was caught shoplifiting I think. These things happen for whatever bizarre reason.

There is not a lot of point is discussing the issue with somebody whose intellectual capacity is limited to insults

Or indeed someone who thinks they're so smartarse as to make commenst like:

"What about the poor papaya, I shall feel so guilty next time I eat som tam. I can just hear the poor green papaya screaming in pain."