After being married to a Thai for the past 24 years I was wondering how many Thais consider themselves as devout Buddhists. Given the crime rate, corruption, scams. telling lies and adultery there can't be all that many true believers who live by the rules. Even the monks can get off the rails from time to time and they are sworn to celibacy.

Not at all what i have experienced. Thier religious pride keeps the belief STRONG

3 minutes ago, sharot724 said:

Not at all what i have experienced. Thier religious pride keeps the belief STRONG

But it doesn't deter them from making the headlines in the media for all the wrong reasons which is not in line with Buddhist teachings.

I have no religion thankfully and I wouldn't dream of doing what many devout Buddhists get up to.

1 minute ago, Mason45 said:

But it doesn't deter them from making the headlines in the media for all the wrong reasons which is not in line with Buddhist teachings.

I have no religion thankfully and I wouldn't dream of doing what many devout Buddhists get up to.

No way I  feel like this is prevelent with those dedicated to Buddhism. The reality is they are by far more caring about good will.

 

Tolerance and understanding has never been more prevelent than any other religion

Explain your purity that makes you so special?

 

The reasoning for feeling the <deleted>ty media's need to direct your believing as you do, speaks for itself 

Believe in actions and not just words

17 minutes ago, sharot724 said:

The reasoning for feeling the <deleted>ty media's need to direct your believing as you do, speaks for itself 

I have self discipline which most Thais don't have. I'm not talking bad about Buddhism, I'm referring to Thais that don't practice the rules that are in line with Buddhist teachings. It's very similar to the devout Catholics in the Calabria Italy area who are mafia lords who hide behind the religious smoke screen.

My experience of judging others is not at all what you claim.

My experience is prejudices are either taught or learned.

What discipline do you claim you have allowing you  to have that sort of superiority? 

Please stay on subject and tell us all how you live a life where you can feel so superior

What discipline do you believe you have that lends itself to feeling special?

Self Control your preaching is sort of silly when you state they lack, with out explaining ???

7 minutes ago, sharot724 said:

Please stay on subject and tell us all how you live a life where you can feel so superior

 

2 minutes ago, sharot724 said:

What discipline do you believe you have that lends itself to feeling special?

 

2 minutes ago, sharot724 said:

What discipline do you believe you have that lends itself to feeling special?

So I've just gone from feeling superior to feeling special in a few minutes. I'm very open, I don't need to hide behind a smoke screen because I'm responsible for my actions. Is that feeling superior or special?

3 minutes ago, sharot724 said:

Self Control your preaching is sort of silly when you state they lack, with out explaining ???

Have you ever lived with a Thai family in a village where farangs don't exist?

Often when a person claims others are inferior they can point out reasons.

You are Special hits it perfectly

2 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

Have you ever lived with a Thai family in a village where farangs don't exist?

yes i had not seen one in a month here by Lamhpun, Saraphi

2 hours ago, Mason45 said:

After being married to a Thai for the past 24 years I was wondering how many Thais consider themselves as devout Buddhists. Given the crime rate, corruption, scams. telling lies and adultery there can't be all that many true believers who live by the rules. Even the monks can get off the rails from time to time and they are sworn to celibacy.

Just a question, how do you look at religion and the people in other parts of the world? No problem with that? Only problem with how Thais looks at it?

2 hours ago, Mason45 said:

After being married to a Thai for the past 24 years I was wondering how many Thais consider themselves as devout Buddhists. Given the crime rate, corruption, scams. telling lies and adultery there can't be all that many true believers who live by the rules. Even the monks can get off the rails from time to time and they are sworn to celibacy.

Everyone sins, as long as you repent, you're good to go!

2 hours ago, Mason45 said:

After being married to a Thai for the past 24 years I was wondering how many Thais consider themselves as devout Buddhists. Given the crime rate, corruption, scams. telling lies and adultery there can't be all that many true believers who live by the rules. Even the monks can get off the rails from time to time and they are sworn to celibacy.

clearly you need to know more about Buddhism to understand that what the Thais consider as Buddhism is a watered down version of the true Buddhist. What they are taught in Thailand is their belief. However, their teachings were changed to suit what the people wanted and to benefit their desires. That is why you see monks walking around with ipads and iphones and macbooks. You see some getting caught having sex with women. doing drugs in the temple, raping boys, jetsetting the world as well as many more small things a true Buddhist knows is against their religion. The Thais even use Buddhism to make the bad they do seem ok. Like breaking laws and joining monkhood to circumvent punishment. This happens even in the highest of government. So why shouldn't the lower class follow their examples? 

I seen a documentary a few years ago where the Dalai Lama was being interviewed. He answered every question until he was asked about his take on Thai Buddhism. He hesitated and then replied " next question please. "

3 hours ago, Mason45 said:

After being married to a Thai for the past 24 years I was wondering how many Thais consider themselves as devout Buddhists. Given the crime rate, corruption, scams. telling lies and adultery there can't be all that many true believers who live by the rules. Even the monks can get off the rails from time to time and they are sworn to celibacy.

Humans are humans

Same as countries full of devote Christians or Catholics - leave church/mass, and go and break the Ten Commandments.