‘Buddhist tourism’ idea fraught with difficulty

By The Nation

 

 

For most foreign visitors, Thailand is a place to party and soak up the sun, not pursue spirituality

 

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports has recognised the inherent value in “Buddhist tourism” – bringing in foreign visitors to experience our religious traditions. Its promotion would certainly be a lot friendlier to the environment, but a good idea and its implementation are two different matters. 

 

Tourism entails making money. Buddhism fundamentally does not. Therein lies the challenge for whoever wants to try and marry the two and sell the hybrid concept to the world.

 

The ministry has indicated it has no extreme proposals in mind. It will begin by advertising locales of religious significance, which are abundant in Thailand. India and Nepal are enjoying a steady and growing stream of Buddhists from other Asian lands, including Thailand, for pilgrimages through places associated with Siddartha’s life. Japan lets foreigners share deeply in its Zen Buddhism traditions. Most tourists to Thailand, though, aren’t coming to pray.

 

Religious tourism – also known as faith tourism – might in fact be the oldest form of tourism, but in the modern world, with some exceptions, prayers are largely relegated to church and home.

 

The ministry acknowledges that tourism is crucial to the economies of Southeast and South Asia. But the sheer number of countries trying to balance spirituality and capitalism complicates its ambition to promote Buddhism as a segment of such a money-oriented sector. The ministry is correct in seeking regional cooperation in promoting Buddhist tourism in Asia, but it still must not underestimate the difficult task ahead.

 

Buddhism is a spiritual movement of simplicity, even if living a simple life is always easier said than done. The concept of Buddhist tourism requires all of the participating countries to pay more attention to various aspects of the religion, including ways of life and culture. That is a tall order, even at religiously important destinations.

 

In Thailand, for example, how might religious tourism be promoted when most visitor attractions offer alcohol and other perceived sins? Despite the authorities’ attempts to curb the spread of vice, this country is notorious for its prostitution and the overcharging of customers, particularly during high season. Our biggest draws include gaudy Pattaya and the physical frenzies of full-moon parties.

 

The irony is glaring. With a plethora of Buddhist and Hindu temples, Thailand is considered one of the few places outside India where faith tourism ought to be taking place. But has capitalism become too deeply rooted in our tourism industry?

 

To make its plan seem more serious and worthwhile, the ministry will have to draw a line. Anything-goes tourism will require clear-cut perimeters if Buddhism is going to become part of the travel industry. Otherwise we can forget about simplicity. The entire landscape will become monetised.

 

The homestay concept might easily be applied to Buddhist tourism. But, as we’ve learned, capitalism is always knocking at the door and has often barged in. Many temples have been drawn into moneymaking activities without tourism being involved. When promotion is in full swing, keeping Buddhist tourism the way it’s supposed to be could get truly difficult.

 

Greed often gets in the way. Even the most idealistic advocates of faith can find it hard to shake it off completely. Tourism is a daunting place to try the concept of simplicity and humility, but the ministry’s idea is noble and should be pursued. It will be interesting to see how far it can go.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30367688

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2019-04-16

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Tourism entails making money. Buddhism fundamentally does not.

thai buddhism and money are inter-twined, a business

Tourism entails making money. Buddhism fundamentally does not.

 

Tourism entails making money. Thai Buddhism is fundamentally about making money...

 

What's the problem?

 

OK here's what we have, Thai monks spruiking ping pong shows in family friendly Pattaya.

Brilliant wel go with that. 

Buddhist tourism will go down great at our local temple right now, water fights, drinking and techno being blasted out most hours of the day.

Judging by the way most local WATS behave, then it would be a home goal as for practicing Buddhism most Monks here just do it for a living, they care not one jot about their fellow man , and many go to become monks to evade many responsibilities normally family and children. 

 

To make it work the Snghla needs to be overhauled and Monks reorganised and vetted. Never happen 

 

I beg to differ regarding the SIMPLE MONK life style and the connection with tourism. 

 

There are those few Monks true to the faith, but sadly there are so many more Monks that take advantage of tourism plus their own kind. 

 

I for one was once a follower of a faith, but now, I no longer beleive in religion because I've seen and looked back at historical events, and for me personally, it shows me the havoc religion has caused and will continue to create. 

 

 

You can't squeeze much more out of faith tourism.

 

Try to improve the buddhist meditation tourism, that is a fast growing segment for 20 years already in India, Japan and Nepal.

 

Most wats prefer the former of course because they make so much money with donations, but the latter is the sustainable Tourism that Thailand should strive for.

 

People that come for a 1-2 week meditation course spend a lot of money around it and it is a great boost for Thailand's reputation!

 

 

Sent from my crappy device using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

 

 

 

 

Could be a bit of a problem if those Buddhists from foreign lands come visit these spiritual hotspots and point out "That isn't what the Buddha taught..." regarding lottery numbers, magic amulets, etc.

Why stop with selling your daughters off to be hookers when you can sell your faith too?

 

 

deleted 

 

 

Edited April 16, 20197 yr by Bluespunk

6 hours ago, webfact said:

But the sheer number of countries trying to balance spirituality and capitalism complicates its ambition to promote Buddhism as a segment of such a money-oriented sector.

When the Thai Sangha charges foreign Buddhists money, they destroy the fabric of the Sangha.  Buddhism become a business based on greed and the desire to obtain money - and this is a stake driven right though the heart of the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. Actually, we're already there, especially in Thailand where it has become a more and more common practice to charge foreigners in general, and in places also charging Thai Buddhist laity too.  Buddhism in Asia is already in serious decline.  It's interesting that the stricter Forest Tradition seems to taking root in the West as Thai monasteries stop practicing sila, samadhi, and panna, and instead turn to rites, rituals, superstition - and charge lay Buddhists money to participate.  Monk charging laity money for services is the antithesis of Buddhist practice.  Yet, it's here.  Thai Buddhists usually are not charged due to the fact that most are easily conned into given based on the promise of receiving lots of good stuff if they just give, give, give!!!  "Nibbana can be bought using your Mastercard of Visa", is the message.  Both sides of that equation are based on abject greed - which destroys true Buddhism.  But here we are.  The monks of the Thai Sangha hammering a stake through their own hearts with both monks and laity wielding the hammers. 

If this takes off next will be 'Pope for a day' at the Vatican.

There's huge shops selling Buddha idol gear all over the country....in Thailand buddhism is massively monetised....just the space temple shows the level it's got to....so charging tourists that are stupid enough to believe that paying for spiritualism is probably fair go.....totally wrong and unethical, but none the less, it would be perfectly acceptable here!

One may be surprised how many faithfuls come to Thailand now for the spiritualism 

8 hours ago, simon43 said:

 

 

 

Tourism entails making money. Thai Buddhism is fundamentally about making money...

 

What's the problem?

 

No problem as long as transparency is involved. Taxes, fiscal reports, audits, fraud barriers, accountability seem to be missing. 

As people have hinted, Thais aren't Buddhists at all, so what's the problem?

 

Thai "Buddhism" is mostly animist. 

11 hours ago, webfact said:

For most foreign visitors, Thailand is a place to party and soak up the sun, not pursue spirituality

And, doubly so for Thais. Or, do Thais not participate in tourism?

And once started, they'd build a huge fake temple to bus the Chinese hordes into, complete with fake monks and the usual money laundering schemes. Even the homegrown goons at the wats would be left in the dust.

6 hours ago, longtom said:

People that come for a 1-2 week meditation course spend a lot of money around it and it is a great boost for Thailand's reputation!

 

What reputation? The girls reputation?

Is this also buddhism?

 

 

1 hour ago, Fex Bluse said:

As people have hinted, Thais aren't Buddhists at all, so what's the problem?

 

Thai "Buddhism" is mostly animist. 

I have referred to Thais as "Buddhist flavored Animists" for years, basically because it's true.  I live with one.  I can clearly see the newer coat of Buddhism layered on top of the old coat of Animism.  Many of the monks at Thai Buddhist temples tap right into the Animism and provide support for Animistic worship, rites, and rituals.  Most Thai temples will be more then happy to come to your home in order to chant and 'bless' the grounds to exorcise and placate ghosts, spirits, and mythological creatures (e.g. Nagas) from your home and property. They will also perform ritualized worship of pagan deities right in their own temples.  It's just another example of Thai Buddhism losing it's way.  What does any of that have to do with The Four Nobel Truths, the teachings of the Suttras, or the actual practice of morality and meditation?  Nothing at all -- because it's not Buddhism. 
Thai Buddhism is "Buddhist flavored Animism" for the vast majority of Thais claiming to be Buddhist, monks and laity alike.
True Theravada Buddhism is pretty much only found in what is left of the linage of the Thai Forest Tradition or Theravada monasticism whom even other Thai monks refer to as 'Meditation Monks', as though meditation is something strange and a totally alien concept. Morality and meditation are the two chambers of the beating heart of Buddhism.  It is the actual practice.  That fact is simply lost on most Thais that I know. 

Not really - invite people to your forest monastery and invite donations - the very lifestyle will keep the idiots out. Plenty of affluent Western people need somewhere to go and take stock.

The perverted form of Buddhism practiced in Thailand is nothing to consider for tourist, unless you want them to come away with a feeling of disgust towards the religion. Thai Buddhism is nothing more than money worship, and selfish interest first, anything but what Buddha taught to the masses. Leave it to Thailand to pervert everything it touches, a failed society of morally corrupt people who show no-bounds to their greedy/selfish interests. But hey, if the Elite can make a buck off it, and the serfs are willing to play along, then what heck......let them enjoy their money worship.

21 hours ago, Oziex1 said:

OK here's what we have, Thai monks spruiking ping pong shows in family friendly Pattaya.

For those interested in comparative religion, the naughty nun show in Angelwitch is in a league of it's own. 

13 hours ago, connda said:

I have referred to Thais as "Buddhist flavored Animists" for years, basically because it's true.  I live with one.  I can clearly see the newer coat of Buddhism layered on top of the old coat of Animism.  Many of the monks at Thai Buddhist temples tap right into the Animism and provide support for Animistic worship, rites, and rituals.  Most Thai temples will be more then happy to come to your home in order to chant and 'bless' the grounds to exorcise and placate ghosts, spirits, and mythological creatures (e.g. Nagas) from your home and property. They will also perform ritualized worship of pagan deities right in their own temples.  It's just another example of Thai Buddhism losing it's way.  What does any of that have to do with The Four Nobel Truths, the teachings of the Suttras, or the actual practice of morality and meditation?  Nothing at all -- because it's not Buddhism. 
Thai Buddhism is "Buddhist flavored Animism" for the vast majority of Thais claiming to be Buddhist, monks and laity alike.
True Theravada Buddhism is pretty much only found in what is left of the linage of the Thai Forest Tradition or Theravada monasticism whom even other Thai monks refer to as 'Meditation Monks', as though meditation is something strange and a totally alien concept. Morality and meditation are the two chambers of the beating heart of Buddhism.  It is the actual practice.  That fact is simply lost on most Thais that I know. 

There may have been a time in our history when faith and religion was of great value to us,  those days are long gone. The power corrupted all religions centuries ago. 

 

It's no tourist attraction. 

15 hours ago, fruitman said:

Is this also buddhism?

 

 

So whats the problem, maybe he had just received his motor cycle taxi training ready for taking care of tourists in pattaya. 

23 minutes ago, Oziex1 said:

There may have been a time in our history when faith and religion was of great value to us,  those days are long gone. The power corrupted all religions centuries ago. 

 

It's no tourist attraction. 

Religions and religions that pretend they are not religions.

are destined for the same fate as the dinosaurs.

Shame i wont see the end of it in my life time. 

16 hours ago, natway09 said:

One may be surprised how many faithfuls come to Thailand now for the spiritualism 

What spiritualism? My cat is more spiritual than the average Thai.

Why not offer Thai prison homestays...because the Temple homestays will be pretty much the same kind of people running it....hopefully with better food.

Edited April 17, 20197 yr by DLock