That becomes more and more a no ending nightmare...

11 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Just wondering who will get the rights to make a movie out this saga where non buddhist kids are 'introduced' to a buddhist indoctrination and teaching...

It will go to the 'Buddhists R Us' group

 

6 minutes ago, cmsally said:

Totally wrong on many levels . On one side the religion aspect as discussed above. On the other , I thought they were supposed to go back to their families and normal life (that didn't last long did it).

 

Are sure you're not thinking of a faulty lift/elevator?

 

If you read the end of the article, it seems the main reason is to teach them meditation in a quiet, relaxed environment. Also it keeps them away from the press and government officials so they can have some quiet time. 

Pathetic to institutionalise them. No individualism is going to result from this activity.  Obviously the whole thing is being stage managed and then milking it for what you can get will be high on the priorities of those running the show.

1 hour ago, colinneil said:

without being forced to become monks.

Who said that they are being forced? I think you demean their ability to choose for themselves, and their esprit de corps 

2 minutes ago, jaiyen said:

If you read the end of the article, it seems the main reason is to teach them meditation in a quiet, relaxed environment. Also it keeps them away from the press and government officials so they can have some quiet time. 

I thought their coach already taught them meditation in a quiet (almost relaxed) environment.

Perhaps they should have their retreat in a cave again - it's the only way to avoid the press and get away from the government - well initially anyway.

 

Who said that they are being forced? I think you demean their ability to choose for themselves, and their esprit de corps 

Of course they are being forced. They are pushed by families and government and if they refused their families would be devastated from the loss of face. In this case there no saying no to the nine day sentence of monkhood.


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If this hadn't turned into a circus before, it sure has now. Unfortunately for the kids this is going to be milked
for all it is worth. Sad!!

In more ways than one, they did run away from home and join the circus.
Bring in the clowns!


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8 minutes ago, wirat69 said:

Who said that they are being forced? I think you demean their ability to choose for themselves, and their esprit de corps 

Forced yes forced, no way would a Christian boy go to be a Buddist monk if he was not forced, please open your eyes as to what is happening to these boys, they are being controlled by the government, do this, do that, stand there get a good photo.

Meanwhile their education is suffering.

Shouldn't these lads going back to school and pick-up some normal life again?

1 hour ago, coulson said:

They are not being ordained, they will just observe the precepts and practise meditation as novices. It's more like a yoga retreat.

 

I hope they do get some peace but afraid that anyone already inside may have their phones charged ready to leak loads of videos.

The notice says they are being ordained as novices.  Ordained as in, shaved heads, orange robes, etc.  Believe me, it's no where near like a yoga retreat.

So they went without food in the cave now I guess they're being forced to go without food in the temple.

2 minutes ago, kcpattaya said:

Shouldn't these lads going back to school and pick-up some normal life again?

Legally they have to give a School 90 days notice before doing the Monk performance. Probably be ignored in this case as  they are too newsworthy to delay.

The government should stop talking about them as well not only journalists......Me thinking na..

1 minute ago, khaowong1 said:

The notice says they are being ordained as novices.  Ordained as in, shaved heads, orange robes, etc.  Believe me, it's no where near like a yoga retreat.

I've done it. 

Ordaining those boys and the coach at this temple in Chiang Rai is going to be a circus.  People will be coming from miles around, throwing money left and right.  This is going to be a windfall for that temple.  9 days of making money hand over fist. 

I'll attend the ceremony with bells on my robes!

2 minutes ago, coulson said:

I've done it. 

Was it like a yoga retreat for you?

19 minutes ago, DILLIGAD said:

In more ways than one, they did run away from home and join the circus.
Bring in the clowns!

I think you'll find there's a lot in Bangkok already.

 

16 minutes ago, colinneil said:

Forced yes forced, no way would a Christian boy go to be a Buddist monk if he was not forced, please open your eyes as to what is happening to these boys, they are being controlled by the government, do this, do that, stand there get a good photo.

Meanwhile their education is suffering.

<sarcasm mode:on>

Don't worry about their 'education suffering', I'm sure it will balance out in the end. Don't forget that as Buddhists they'll be aware that 'life is suffering'

<sarcasm mode:off>

 

2 hours ago, bluesofa said:

How come all thirteen are becoming monks.

I thought one of them was Christian, or is he ambidextrous?

 

Buddhism accepts other religions, so yes the ambidextrous are welcomed.  You can be a good Buddhist  without even knowing what Buddhism is.   Some dogs are terrific Buddhists according to The Dali Lamma, but it is not common, according to him

 

Just hope there will be an end of the hoopla some time.  The movie about the cave rescue will turn it a movie about everyone wanting to cash in. 

5 minutes ago, khaowong1 said:

Was it like a yoga retreat for you?

Refer to my original post which you quoted.

18 minutes ago, khaowong1 said:

The notice says they are being ordained as novices.  Ordained as in, shaved heads, orange robes, etc.  Believe me, it's no where near like a yoga retreat.

cultured yoga retreat - is that the fermented version?

 

Let the donations flow in like rain in a cave.

From one cave to another.

1 hour ago, coulson said:

They don't have to partake in anything that contravenes their religion.

 

Even worshipping Buddha goes against the very basic Buddhist teachings, let alone spirits. These modern practices and rituals have been manipulated and warped over the years so it's pointless to argue it is going against their fundamental beliefs.

 

I think the point is, without getting into nitpicking over details, that they are getting away from it all to reflect and pay respect to the Navy Seal who gave his life. It is a genuine gesture and I think it will be good for them too.

 

They are not being forced into a solitude of rituals and chanting. They will be fed, have beds, will be left alone by the media and have a good chance to reflect on what's happened to them.

Leonard Cohen became a monk.. and said it didn't present a conflict with his Jewishness.. Buddhism isn't about worship.. it about finding peace through meditation..

1 hour ago, canuckamuck said:

 

Their isn't a lot of things explicitly forbidden in Christianity, but worshiping other spirits is definitely one of them. This would cause tremendous issues of conscience for any practicing Christian. But what's a stateless boy in the spotlight of a Buddhist country going to do? Say no? Nasty business.

Didn't realise that paying respect to Buddha as a teacher was worshipping a spirit and besides is anyone forcing any nasty anti - Christian  practices on anyone?

There are many practicing ( whatever that means) Christians who spend time in Buddhist wats enjoying the tranquility and the ideas and thoughts of Buddha - do they then emerge as screwed up Christians. 

2 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

As far as the Christian boy is concerned it is a little like forcing a Jewish or Muslin kid to eat pork. That's a pretty uncool thing to do to a kid who has already been through a lot.

I did not know that one of the boys was Christian. If that is true, forcing him to become a temporary Buddhist novice monk (or even persuading him to become such) is really disgraceful. Talk about insensitive and forcing a Thai-nationalist agenda onto everything!

 

Edited July 23, 20187 yr by Eligius

18 minutes ago, Lupatria said:

Let the donations flow in like rain in a cave.

Following on from that metaphor, one can only wonder who will be operating the pumps to divert the floodwater!! ?