LoongJohn

Does any of this strike anyone as a very handy diversion?

A certain gentleman in England has lodged or is about to lodge an application for Political Asylum.

To claim that it would be dangerous for him to return to a country where the people are holding peaceful protests against a corrupt government lacks a certain something.

However, he can now point to the violence and bloodshed in the streets and squeal that he might be torn limb from limb if he has to return to such an awful place. He would have a point, too!

:D

There seems to be something missing in this whole business.

I can understand the Thai people wanting to oust the present Government - but what do they propose to put in its place. If not Samak or one of Thaksin's toadies - then who?

And can anyone tell me the name of a Thai leader who wasn't corrupt?

This isn't a rhetorical question - I'd really like to know...

It's hard to believe that these are the actual questions used - they're full of misspellings, poor grammar and faulty punctuation. Some of them are so garbled as to be meaningless.

A sign of the times?

This thread was going very well for a while - does anyone remember what the topic was?

Sitting on a bus stuck in a traffic jam with nothing to do but sit and watch the girls go by...

Happy Birthday to His Majesty King Bhumipol Adulyadej.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wholeheartedly seconded!

A remarkable man indeed. You only have to compare Thailand with its neighbours: Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam to appreciate just how much he has achieved during his reign.

Long may he reign!

Ruentong & John

.._

I prefer the Japanese Style Buddha Images (not too fat, not too thin - the middle way)

One of the strengths of Buddhism is that you are free to choose...

Millions of years of evolution to produce the human being and we wind up with sheep.

Sheep have got more sense than to hand over thousands of dollars to a complete stranger on the strength of an unsolicited phone call!

The Buddha recommended that we should examine each question for ourselves, and if the suggested solution made sense, then we should accept it.

I am unconvinced as to the principle of rebirth as it applies to being reborn after death since, as far as I can see, any belief can only be based on speculation.

However, whether I believe in it or not will make no difference to whether or not it is a fact.

I am quite happy to leave the final decision until I can prove it to my own satisfaction one way or the other and am fully prepared to be surprised when the time comes!

LoongJohn

.._

Spirits good and bad have a big significance in Thailand, is this part of Theravada  Buddhist belief?

Gd'day DeDanan

My wife assures me that the belief in spirits (other than Mekong) predates Buddhism in Thailand. Spirit houses abound - to keep the phii happy. Phii-paa live in the forest, to (hopefully) protect the trees from foreign timber interests. There are also spirits to protect the waterways. The belief in spirits goes back to pre-Buddhist animism and served a useful purpose. Chinese ancestor-worship sits side-by-side with Buddhism.

My (Chinese) Thai brother-in-law had a hair -raising habit of always taking both hands off the wheel to offer a wai when driving past a shrine of any sort in Bangkok. It didn't matter if it was Buddhist, Confucian, Hindu, Christian or Innuit - he saluted them all. I asked him about this - if he was a Buddhist, why wai the others? He replied: "Insurance!"

Seems fair enough - Why take chances?

LoongJohn

.._

Over the years, I've come to believe that the essence of life, for me, is simply, "Do good, get good, Do bad, get bad".

That's all I need to know 

It's also what I try to teach others 

I agree entirely Ajarn.

Buddhism is about what works for you - the fact that so many others seem to be getting it wrong has no bearing on one's own beliefs or practice.

Metta

John

.._

Although in India Avalokiteshwara is regarded as male, the personification of the Compassion of the Buddha Nature appears in China in both female and male forms and is known as Kuan-yin. In Japan Avalokiteshwara also appears in both male and female form and is called Kanzeon.

Avalokiteshwara's vow is to appear in whatever form is necessary in order to lead beings out of suffering. Therefore, Avalokiteshwara is sometimes depicted in female mode and sometimes in male mode, but the true nature of compassion transcends these opposites.

Avalokiteshwara is often shown holding a vase for pouring out the water of compassion and a willow twig with which to asperge this spiritual water in blessing.

(Lifted from <www.buddhistsupplies.com/avalo.html>)

The world religions do disagree on the origin of the world etc.

Theories as to the origins of the universe and the purpose of the the creation of Man can only be theories, speculation.

In the olden times, men would ask their 'wise' ones questions which were beyond their ability to answer. To protect their positions in the community, they would reply "God did it - and you know what will happen to you if you question the word of God".

Sadly, in some places this attitude has not changed.

Buddhists recognise that some questions do not have answers, nor do they need them.

May all beings be well.

Is there any truth in the rumour that Thai soccer fans are being taught the traditional chant:

"REE-WER-POOON! REE-WER-POOON! REE-WER-POOON!"

Just wondered...

longjohn south pacific soap dodger

whats wrong with pooha and pork bones?

Had to give up the pooha and pork bones, eh? The bones reminded me too much of my Grandad!

Heeeheeeheee! :

You can certainly buy it in Bangkok around Sukhumvit supermarkets.

Thanks Dr Pat Pong - that's a load off my mind.

Wonder how it tastes on durian?

LoongJohn in NZ

.._

I've been married to a Thai for more than 40 years and I STILL have to leave the house when she's brewing up one of her bamboo shoot concoctions. Vegemite is ambrosia in comparison - and if it acts as an insect repellent as well, that can only be good news!

Question - can you buy Vegemite in Thailand, or should I bring my own?

Superman is not real,

Superman NOT REAL?

What about Wonder Woman - and Seven of Nine?

Come on - leave us some illusions!

LoongJohn

.._

(PS: What about the Easter Bunny?)

My rent has been 5,000 baht for the last 4 years...

Sawadee krup Ajarn

I'm very new to all this - but subscribe to the advice "Better to ask dumb questions than to make dumb mistakes".

You quote rent at 5,000 baht - that is the MONTHLY rent, right?

LoongJohn

.._

Morning All!

I'm planning to move to Thailand sometime in the near future with my Thai wife (married 40 years+) and planning to stay for 12 months - possibly longer, depending on how things turn out. We tend towards the quiet life.

The various postings I've found on Thaivisa have so far been very informative, and I'm grateful.

Working on the basis that the best way to get answers is to ask the experts, I would appreciate input on Rayong - can anybody tell me anything about the place?

Cheers

LoongJohn