Please Don’t Feed Junk To Chunky Monks: Health Min

By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

 

Image: Sailom Isara / YouTube

 

BANGKOK — Health officials are urging Buddhists to offer healthier food as alms to monks in order to rein in their expanding waist sashes.

 

Amporn Bejapolpitak, deputy director general of public health, said a survey found that half of Thai monks are obese as of two years ago, with and just over one-in-four suffering from related conditions including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and kidney problems.

 

Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2018/05/30/please-dont-feed-junk-to-chunky-monks-healthmin/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2018-05-30

 

 

"Amporn also suggested that monks should engage in appropriate exercise such as aerobic dance, stretching or help clean up temple."

 

Help clean up the temple of surplus funds. That seems the latest fashion for monks recently in the news.

 

21 minutes ago, webfact said:

one-in-four suffering from related conditions including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and kidney problems.

And back pain, when arrested on suspicion of extortion and royal forgery.

Does everyone have to be the same? Aren't fat people allowed in today's society?
- Go on a diet.
- Stop smoking.
- Stop drinking.
- Be politically correct in what you say.
- blah, blah, blah
We're all going to die one day. Leave us alone to die in peace. If a fat man wants to eat himself into having a heart attack, let him. If a smoker wants to smoke himself to death, let him, etc...
To the do gooders out there. Mind your own business. Get on with your own lives and leave us lot alone. The only thing we're harming is are own health.

7 billion people are on this Earth now. Food shortages, water shortages, lack of resources, let some of us die happy. Why are you trying to make us healthy? Bloody do gooders are creating Armegeddon, just wait 50 years and they'll be 14 billion humans on the Earth. Sheesh!

7 minutes ago, Wilsonandson said:

The only thing we're harming is are own health.

Somehow don't think you are looking at the bigger picture here are you?

If monks had private health care and were paying for all those conditions I'd agree with the post regarding being fat and unhealthy.  Chances are, they will be treated in Red Cross hospitals and jump straight to the front of the queue.  Therefore, they are affecting the rest of the population. 

Amporn Bejapolpitak, deputy director general of public health, said a survey found that half of Thai monks are obese as of two years ago, with and just over one-in-four suffering from related conditions including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and kidney problems.

 

Many years ago, it was about the fake monks in Chayaphoom.

Then the Sisaket monks decided to use their own Lear jet to get around.

 

I've seen some local monks on a visa trip in Chong Mek where they purchased a hell lot of porno DVD's. A week later they got arrested after selling them out of the temple. 

 

One superficial monk made drug parties at his temple where sex with minors was also part of buying some red pills.

 

Not too long ago, a masturbating monk o a bus thought he'd turn on a female passenger behind him, but he was wrong.

 

Then they caught some high profile monks who did nothing else than ripping people off. How should anybody trust these guys? 

 

I've stopped to go to our monk because his temple is way too modern, he's got high tech phone, a high tech TV, PC, using LINE, etc..everything what monks shouldn't have.

 

And now people are telling me to feed them with proper food. I always thought that we feed animals only, but I was wrong like so many other times. 

 

  The fat guy must have been fat before he became a monk. Should people really spend more money to "feed the monks" than they spend on themselves? Typical Thai society, blaming good people that they've made something wrong. 

 

  I wanted to become a monk but decided to stay sober.

 

 

Edited May 30, 20188 yr by jenny2017

19 minutes ago, Barnet said:

If monks had private health care and were paying for all those conditions I'd agree with the post regarding being fat and unhealthy.  Chances are, they will be treated in Red Cross hospitals and jump straight to the front of the queue.  Therefore, they are affecting the rest of the population. 

They have special seats, don't have to wait at a hospital, etc. even when they're full of .....( fill in the blank)

Khao Sod gets the award for snappiest headline of the year. The red rag done good.

Had a glimpse of the headline earlier, thought it was something to do with zoo visitors.

As for the OP - not an expert of Buddhism, but generally, isn't self-restraint a prescribed part of monastic life?

 

Friar Tuck on a pork feast need some lady's to get the blubber off but nun avalible.

2 hours ago, BigBadGeordie said:

Somehow don't think you are looking at the bigger picture here are you?

An academic from Chulalongkorn University, Dr. Ing. Jongjit Angkatavanich, pointed to a study showing that 48% of monks are overweight, leading to significant health problems. She called the problem a ticking time bomb.
The assumption people under uncontrolled eating addiction, who spend half the day in meditative toleration and thus "suffering" from work-related inertia, is a rather nice euphemism.
42% of the grub collectors mount at least their cholesterol to higher levels, 23% are under steam with  high blood pressure, and 10.4% are diabetics. The study does not give information how many have an alcohol problem, are energy drink junkies and, or, chain smoker.
And here it comes: the high-calorie refueling of the Big Buddha Doubles costs the state almost 285,457,000 Thb annually, due to the fact the VIP obesity patients are treated at public expense. And this even though the temples are so rich that abbots can afford a luxury fleet, real estate and bursting bank accounts.

Edited May 30, 20188 yr by Lupatria

2 hours ago, Wilsonandson said:

Does everyone have to be the same? Aren't fat people allowed in today's society?
- Go on a diet.
- Stop smoking.
- Stop drinking.
- Be politically correct in what you say.
- blah, blah, blah
We're all going to die one day. Leave us alone to die in peace. If a fat man wants to eat himself into having a heart attack, let him. If a smoker wants to smoke himself to death, let him, etc...
To the do gooders out there. Mind your own business. Get on with your own lives and leave us lot alone. The only thing we're harming is are own health.

7 billion people are on this Earth now. Food shortages, water shortages, lack of resources, let some of us die happy. Why are you trying to make us healthy? Bloody do gooders are creating Armegeddon, just wait 50 years and they'll be 14 billion humans on the Earth. Sheesh!

RE - Get on with your own lives and leave us lot alone. The only thing we're harming is are own health.

 

Besides your loved ones and those who are exposed to passive smoking, increased healthcare costs and life insurances which affects everyone as consequential damages and loss based on that you don't care about your own health.....

3 hours ago, Wilsonandson said:

Does everyone have to be the same? Aren't fat people allowed in today's society?
- Go on a diet.
- Stop smoking.
- Stop drinking.
- Be politically correct in what you say.
- blah, blah, blah
We're all going to die one day. Leave us alone to die in peace. If a fat man wants to eat himself into having a heart attack, let him. If a smoker wants to smoke himself to death, let him, etc...
To the do gooders out there. Mind your own business. Get on with your own lives and leave us lot alone. The only thing we're harming is are own health.

7 billion people are on this Earth now. Food shortages, water shortages, lack of resources, let some of us die happy. Why are you trying to make us healthy? Bloody do gooders are creating Armegeddon, just wait 50 years and they'll be 14 billion humans on the Earth. Sheesh!

I have a lot of sympathy with what you write. As long as what someone does does not harm others, let them do it.

 

But in the case of monks (who are sponsored by the mass of the Thai people and generally given a lot of respect), they are supposed to live a very simple and fairly spartan life (compared with that of secular people) and to show moderation and restraint in all things. Monks that stuff their faces with masses of food and become really obese are not following the spirit of the Buddha's teachings. But then - this is Thailand, where a different type of Buddhism prevails and where Thais always know best ...!

I have a lot of sympathy with what you write. As long as what someone does does not harm others, let them do it.
 
But in the case of monks (who are sponsored by the mass of the Thai people and generally given a lot of respect), they are supposed to live a very simple and fairly spartan life (compared with that of secular people) and to show moderation and restraint in all things. Monks that stuff their faces with masses of food and become really obese are not following the spirit of the Buddha's teachings. But then - this is Thailand, where a different type of Buddhism prevails and where Thais always know best ...!

Yes, but the laughing monk from China is fat and worshipped worldwide. If he was thin no one would want to rub his belly for good luck.

Oh and thanks for the nice post. Some on here do get a bit serious. It's an expat forum not "Friday night happy show" with Big P.

Sent from my SM-A700FD using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

22 minutes ago, Eligius said:

I have a lot of sympathy with what you write. As long as what someone does does not harm others, let them do it.

 

But in the case of monks (who are sponsored by the mass of the Thai people and generally given a lot of respect), they are supposed to live a very simple and fairly spartan life (compared with that of secular people) and to show moderation and restraint in all things. Monks that stuff their faces with masses of food and become really obese are not following the spirit of the Buddha's teachings. But then - this is Thailand, where a different type of Buddhism prevails and where Thais always know best ...!

RE - Monks that stuff their faces with masses of food and become really obese are not following the spirit of the Buddha's teachings.

 

Interesting statement, then I assume you could explain why it doesn't exist slim Buddha figures,  portraits nor statues?

1 minute ago, ttrd said:

RE - Monks that stuff their faces with masses of food and become really obese are not following the spirit of the Buddha's teachings.

 

Interesting statement, then I assume you could explain why it doesn't exist slim Buddha figures,  portraits nor statues?

The Buddha statues were first instituted many, many, many years after the Buddha's passing. They in no way reflect his physical body in terms of fatness or leanness!

6 minutes ago, Eligius said:

The Buddha statues were first instituted many, many, many years after the Buddha's passing. They in no way reflect his physical body in terms of fatness or leanness!

When Did the Buddha Become Fat?

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/the-good-life/201207/when-did-the-buddha-become-fat

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai monks are obese as of two years ago, with and just over one-in-four suffering from related conditions including diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and kidney problems.

At least it´s better to die free, than in jail. See it from the positive side.

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience,

and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

7 minutes ago, Get Real said:

At least it´s better to die free, than in jail. See it from the positive side.

Yeah, the number of times I've heard people say they just couldn't afford to die. Become a monk and die free.

 

Better Idea Don't feed them  Bludgers at All... In Europe they are Self supported, Have their Own Farms /cattle /pigs / make Trappist Beer ,,,why do the monks in Thailand Have to bludge and get money from the people and the Government when it is very normal in other countries that the Monks Must Self Support.Their's no excuse for the Lazy Sods

They are only allowed one meal a day and they are getting fat? ?

 

Must be drinking soda pop all afternoon and night then.

 

They are only allowed one meal a day and they are getting fat? ?

 

Must be drinking soda pop all afternoon and night then.

3 hours ago, ttrd said:

... Interesting statement, then I assume you could explain why it doesn't exist slim Buddha figures,  portraits nor statues?

Rarely you will find extremely emaciated forms, which represent an extreme he went to before Awakening, which he later rejected. Strictly speaking, these are of Siddhārtha Gautama  as a bodhisattva, before he became a Buddha.

 

Many of the reclining Buddha statues show him as slender.

 

2 minutes ago, Damrongsak said:

Rarely you will find extremely emaciated forms, which represent an extreme he went to before Awakening, which he later rejected. Strictly speaking, these are of Siddhārtha Gautama  as a bodhisattva, before he became a Buddha.

  

Many of the reclining Buddha statues show him as slender.

 

Skinny Buddha vs Fat Buddha

I think most people are familiar with both versions of Buddha, the skinny and the fat one.  The original Buddhist image depicted is of him being skinny or of an average body type. It actually has always bothered me that mainly in the western world I’ve always seen the “fat” Buddha or “laughing Buddha.”  The reason why the fat version of Buddha is called the laughing Buddha is because in the images and statues depicted of him he is usually laughing or smiling. However this Laughing version of Buddha was actually first introduced in China. This is because in traditional China, being chubby signified good health and fortune. Therefore it made sense to create an image of someone so enlighten like Buddha to be chubby and smiling.  However in the Chinese Buddhist religion there is a monk by the name of Budai who has been depicted as looking like the “fat buddha” so there might have been confusion in some point in time. If you go to India, Thailand, Korea or other countries in the eastern hemisphere you will find that Buddha is depicted in statues and images as skinny, which is how he was seen originally.

 

https://sites.psu.edu/rclblogmichelle/2012/11/08/skinny-buddha-vs-fat-buddha/

 

 

 

An off topic trolling post has been removed. 

Feed em more id  say and let nature take its  course so they can (not) see the fantasy isnt real.....when its all too late

6 hours ago, digger70 said:

Better Idea Don't feed them  Bludgers at All... In Europe they are Self supported, Have their Own Farms /cattle /pigs / make Trappist Beer ,,,why do the monks in Thailand Have to bludge and get money from the people and the Government when it is very normal in other countries that the Monks Must Self Support.Their's no excuse for the Lazy Sods

Look at the majority of  Thais and you have the answer, Monks are no different, theyve been come a  lazy race.