They Pray On The Side Walk And On The Road.!

[Swiss1960]

"Or something" I think as long as it's Buddhist and Swiss1966's wife can fill him in....

Keep on drinking, boy and try to write my nick correct when you're sober...

[HeavyDrinker]

Anyone who honestly thinks this is about Buddhism and not about all about a public display of importance really hasn't grasped the basics of life here yet. For a country of 'Buddhists' there seems to be an awful lot who are overly materialistic carnivores. Hardly in line with the Buddha's teachings of respecting all life and renouncing material possessions. The vast majority of 'Buddhists' here are as hypocritical as the pro-death, anti-gay, gun toting, bible thumping do gooders in the US of A.

That's exactly the kind of generalization which I hate most and is seen so often from posters here in ThaiVisa...

And you are doing what exactly from my nick?

Please don't get so upset.

You thought you knew it all after a quick lesson in Thai Culture from your wife/GF. You clearly don't so live and learn.

[Kananga]

Anyone who honestly thinks this is about Buddhism and not about all about a public display of importance really hasn't grasped the basics of life here yet. For a country of 'Buddhists' there seems to be an awful lot who are overly materialistic carnivores. Hardly in line with the Buddha's teachings of respecting all life and renouncing material possessions. The vast majority of 'Buddhists' here are as hypocritical as the pro-death, anti-gay, gun toting, bible thumping do gooders in the US of A.

That's exactly the kind of generalization which I hate most and is seen so often from posters here in ThaiVisa...

Well perhaps you see it so often because it's true and you hate it because you won't admit to yourself that you're wrong (you do seem to have embraced that delightful trait of Thai culture). You haven't been able to rebut any of my points so its safe to say most likely you're just in denial now.

[Mosha]

Re OP. It's standard SOP in the provinces. After a while you are no longer surprised by it.

[StefanBBK]

Re OP. It's standard SOP in the provinces. After a while you are no longer surprised by it.

It is common in the outskirts of Bangkok too. Usually there are lots of lights, so one is well aware. Antway this is custom in Thailand, so leave it be.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[jamhar]

"They Prey On The Side Walk And On The Road"

I thought this topic was about ladyboys.

Now THATs funny!

[muythai2013]

anyone that thinks most thai's are not materialistic needs to seriously take of the rose coloured glasses.

my Brother inlaw is a monk, recently this very subject featured in a novel he wrote, he was tired of people coming to the temple and asking for lucky lotto numbers and praying for wealth instead of being greatfull for what they have.

if many thai's are not materialistic why are we all hadsum men.

[Kananga]

anyone that thinks most thai's are not materialistic needs to seriously take of the rose coloured glasses.

my Brother inlaw is a monk, recently this very subject featured in a novel he wrote, he was tired of people coming to the temple and asking for lucky lotto numbers and praying for wealth instead of being greatfull for what they have.

if many thai's are not materialistic why are we all hadsum men.

Exactly. The practicing of Theravada buddhism in Thailand the most ridiculously selfish and contradictory belief I have ever come across (except perhaps the Roman Catholic church). Amuses me when people go to the temple to pray for more money or for better luck for themselves (instead of for people less fortunate then themselves) or wear amulets to protect themselves or make merit for themselves etc. Completely selfish intentions and the complete opposite of the foundations the belief was built on.

[muythai2013]

anyone that thinks most thai's are not materialistic needs to seriously take of the rose coloured glasses.

my Brother inlaw is a monk, recently this very subject featured in a novel he wrote, he was tired of people coming to the temple and asking for lucky lotto numbers and praying for wealth instead of being greatfull for what they have.

if many thai's are not materialistic why are we all hadsum men.

Exactly. The practicing of Theravada buddhism in Thailand the most ridiculously selfish and contradictory belief I have ever come across (except perhaps the Roman Catholic church). Amuses me when people go to the temple to pray for more money or for better luck for themselves (instead of for people less fortunate then themselves) or wear amulets to protect themselves or make merit for themselves etc. Completely selfish intentions and the complete opposite of the foundations the belief was built on.

I am Buddhist myself, since a very very young age, followed properly it is not at all selfish, but few seem to follow it properly.

don't see much in the way of compassion.

[Kananga]

anyone that thinks most thai's are not materialistic needs to seriously take of the rose coloured glasses.

my Brother inlaw is a monk, recently this very subject featured in a novel he wrote, he was tired of people coming to the temple and asking for lucky lotto numbers and praying for wealth instead of being greatfull for what they have.

if many thai's are not materialistic why are we all hadsum men.

Exactly. The practicing of Theravada buddhism in Thailand the most ridiculously selfish and contradictory belief I have ever come across (except perhaps the Roman Catholic church). Amuses me when people go to the temple to pray for more money or for better luck for themselves (instead of for people less fortunate then themselves) or wear amulets to protect themselves or make merit for themselves etc. Completely selfish intentions and the complete opposite of the foundations the belief was built on.

I am Buddhist myself, since a very very young age, followed properly it is not at all selfish, but few seem to follow it properly.

don't see much in the way of compassion.

My case in point.

[Ricardo]

"They Prey On The Side Walk And On The Road"

I thought this topic was about ladyboys.

I myself assumed it was another thread about the BiBs ! Kerching !

[Naam]

For some reason, The Living Dead sprang to mind when I read it.......................

"Do you think a drunk guy at 100km/h by bike or truck will be able to avoid them.?"

Also having a bit of difficulty placing the location; anybody, drunk or sober, that travels at 160.9344 kph on any road over here on the inside lane is a danger to anyone.............

Last I checked 100 km/h = 100 kph.

why slowing a high speed traveller down with a boring fact?

[jpinx]

<Quote>

They Prey On The Side Walk And On The Road.!

</Quote>

I opened this thread thinking we're talking about tigers or crocodiles......

[rene123]

I saw a big backhoe preying on the sidewalk and the road. It was eating up the landscape at a tremendous rate. I suspect the leaking city plumbing was causing the problem that the backhoe was trying to fix.

I also noticed a group of orange robed monks praying and chanting nearby.

I don't know which was being more successful, but I suspect it was the backhoe.

[NeverSure]

Anyone who honestly thinks this is about Buddhism and not about all about a public display of importance really hasn't grasped the basics of life here yet. For a country of 'Buddhists' there seems to be an awful lot who are overly materialistic carnivores. Hardly in line with the Buddha's teachings of respecting all life and renouncing material possessions. The vast majority of 'Buddhists' here are as hypocritical as the pro-death, anti-gay, gun toting, bible thumping do gooders in the US of A.

That's exactly the kind of generalization which I hate most and is seen so often from posters here in ThaiVisa...

Well perhaps you see it so often because it's true and you hate it because you won't admit to yourself that you're wrong (you do seem to have embraced that delightful trait of Thai culture). You haven't been able to rebut any of my points so its safe to say most likely you're just in denial now.

Any time you lump all of one group into being the same instead of seeing individuals, and accentuate only the worst observations from some in that group who are usually the nuts that make the news or who make themselves stand out as idiots, there is no way to debate you. One cannot debate against a closed mind.

This is something I see regularly on this forum. Bigots who don't know me or my friends, have never been to my town and maybe not even my country, but believe ardently that all "are" whatever the assumption is. Come and spend a week as my guest and have a few beers with me and my friends. You'll leave with a new opinion. We won't agree on everything but you'll no longer think we are all bad. In the meantime, don't ask for a rebuttal against bigotry because it isn't worth the effort.

Peace.

[Kananga]

Anyone who honestly thinks this is about Buddhism and not about all about a public display of importance really hasn't grasped the basics of life here yet. For a country of 'Buddhists' there seems to be an awful lot who are overly materialistic carnivores. Hardly in line with the Buddha's teachings of respecting all life and renouncing material possessions. The vast majority of 'Buddhists' here are as hypocritical as the pro-death, anti-gay, gun toting, bible thumping do gooders in the US of A.

That's exactly the kind of generalization which I hate most and is seen so often from posters here in ThaiVisa...

Well perhaps you see it so often because it's true and you hate it because you won't admit to yourself that you're wrong (you do seem to have embraced that delightful trait of Thai culture). You haven't been able to rebut any of my points so its safe to say most likely you're just in denial now.

Any time you lump all of one group into being the same instead of seeing individuals, and accentuate only the worst observations from some in that group who are usually the nuts that make the news or who make themselves stand out as idiots, there is no way to debate you. One cannot debate against a closed mind.

This is something I see regularly on this forum. Bigots who don't know me or my friends, have never been to my town and maybe not even my country, but believe ardently that all "are" whatever the assumption is. Come and spend a week as my guest and have a few beers with me and my friends. You'll leave with a new opinion. We won't agree on everything but you'll no longer think we are all bad. In the meantime, don't ask for a rebuttal against bigotry because it isn't worth the effort.

Peace.

Thanks for the invitation, but I don't drink. However you are right, there is no point asking for a rebuttal against his bigotry.

[NeverSure]

Thanks for the invitation, but I don't drink. However you are right, there is no point asking for a rebuttal against his bigotry.

Well, there's another thread which shows that more than 80% of Americans ID themselves a Christian. Most aren't Saran Palin, LOL. It's her type that gets the press. Even in LOS it's apparent that many Westerners ID themselves as Christian even if they don't practice it. Most are pretty laid back about it. The individual's beliefs don't warrant the animosity, even in LOS.

Anyway, I think these people don't even know us, and would be really surprised to find out how 'normal' we are. They'd probably enjoy themselves.

Peace.

[Swiss1960]

Thanks for the invitation, but I don't drink. However you are right, there is no point asking for a rebuttal against his bigotry.

You are asking for a rebuttal... but to what? Did you post any valid argument of any facts that could be discussed? All you posted is a general bashing of (Thai) Buddhist people and such a bashing statement can not be rebutted, because their is no value and no argument to be rebutted.

You call me a bigot... beside the fact that you probably don't know what a bigot is (i recommend a good encyclopedia to read about the definition), I did neither defend Buddhism in general nor the merit ceremonies overall but only write about what i learned and experienced in those ceremonies I attended.

You call me a bigot... well, reading your statements like "there seems to be an awful lot who are overly materialistic carnivores" or "The vast majority of 'Buddhists' here are as hypocritical as...", it seems to me that you are pretty arrogant and dogmatic and still think that you as a Western are superior to the Thai's...

[Kananga]

Thanks for the invitation, but I don't drink. However you are right, there is no point asking for a rebuttal against his bigotry.

You are asking for a rebuttal... but to what? Did you post any valid argument of any facts that could be discussed? All you posted is a general bashing of (Thai) Buddhist people and such a bashing statement can not be rebutted, because their is no value and no argument to be rebutted.

You call me a bigot... beside the fact that you probably don't know what a bigot is (i recommend a good encyclopedia to read about the definition), I did neither defend Buddhism in general nor the merit ceremonies overall but only write about what i learned and experienced in those ceremonies I attended.

You call me a bigot... well, reading your statements like "there seems to be an awful lot who are overly materialistic carnivores" or "The vast majority of 'Buddhists' here are as hypocritical as...", it seems to me that you are pretty arrogant and dogmatic and still think that you as a Western are superior to the Thai's...

I didn't ask for a rebuttal. I just said you are not in a position to. You still havent been able to. All you have done is produce petty insults to my claim that considering that Buddhism promotes respect of all living creatures and renouncing material possessions the vast majority of Thais eat meat and have a strong interest in material possessions such as iPhones as well as having self serving means on their occasional trips to the temple.

You then made an incorrect assumption that I think Westerners are superior to Thais. Did you conveniently forget that I made a comparison with the hypocrisy of many who follow Theravada buddhism here with phoney christians in the WEST?

Of course you did. Your sweeping assumptions, avoidance of the context in which I was speaking and petty insults do nothing but convince anyone reading this that you are clutching at straws and have no basis to rebut my claims.

As the previous post by Nevermind quite rightly states don't ask for a rebuttal against bigotry because it isn't worth the effort.

With your reply consisting of little moire than incorrect assumptions and insults it looks like he was right.

[Swiss1960]

Thanks for the invitation, but I don't drink. However you are right, there is no point asking for a rebuttal against his bigotry.

You are asking for a rebuttal... but to what? Did you post any valid argument of any facts that could be discussed? All you posted is a general bashing of (Thai) Buddhist people and such a bashing statement can not be rebutted, because their is no value and no argument to be rebutted.

You call me a bigot... beside the fact that you probably don't know what a bigot is (i recommend a good encyclopedia to read about the definition), I did neither defend Buddhism in general nor the merit ceremonies overall but only write about what i learned and experienced in those ceremonies I attended.

You call me a bigot... well, reading your statements like "there seems to be an awful lot who are overly materialistic carnivores" or "The vast majority of 'Buddhists' here are as hypocritical as...", it seems to me that you are pretty arrogant and dogmatic and still think that you as a Western are superior to the Thai's...

I didn't ask for a rebuttal. I just said you are not in a position to. You still havent been able to. All you have done is produce petty insults to my claim that considering that Buddhism promotes respect of all living creatures and renouncing material possessions the vast majority of Thais eat meat and have a strong interest in material possessions such as iPhones as well as having self serving means on their occasional trips to the temple.

You then made an incorrect assumption that I think Westerners are superior to Thais. Did you conveniently forget that I made a comparison with the hypocrisy of many who follow Theravada buddhism here with phoney christians in the WEST?

Of course you did. Your sweeping assumptions, avoidance of the context in which I was speaking and petty insults do nothing but convince anyone reading this that you are clutching at straws and have no basis to rebut my claims.

As the previous post by Nevermind quite rightly states don't ask for a rebuttal against bigotry because it isn't worth the effort.

With your reply consisting of little moire than incorrect assumptions and insults it looks like he was right.

Ok... some answers:

a ) meat consumption is NOT prohibited in the Theravada Buddhism, you seem to confuse that with the Mahayana view... you can easily find that information on various websites teaching and / or comparing the various Buddhist streams

b ) Buddhism does NOT renounce you from having material possessions such as iPhones... Buddhism talks about greed and desire that will never be fulfilled by material possessions and as such tells it’s believers that they should be happy with what they have and not desperately seek more and more. And again, I know enough Thai Buddhists who are happy with what they have and do neither show off with their wealth nor try to get more and more. Are there so-called Buddhists that are greedy? Of course there are, but nowhere from my experience are they the “vast majority of Buddhists”.

c ) when you write about “the vast majority of Buddhists” and compare them with small western groups like pro-death, anti-gay, gun-toting or bible-thumping-do-gooders, then the first one is a bashing of the Buddhists in general while the other groups you mentioned have either nothing to do with religion or are specific small interest groups, but nowhere you mention “the vast majority of Christians”

Did any of my statements say that I think the vast majority of the Buddhists do live up to what Buddha said? No I did not. But I do say that your generalisation is wrong, since my personal experience with Thai Buddhists is different. But maybe we have chosen different Thai friends and your friends group is belonging to the group you described while mine is not... but that would again not be enough evidence for your generalizing statement.

[Kananga]

meat consumption is NOT prohibited in the Theravada Buddhism - how convenient.

Of course there are, but nowhere from my experience are they the “vast majority of Buddhists”. - I said the vast majority of Thais, not Buddhists. Lets keep it in perspective.

small western groups like pro-death, anti-gay, gun-toting or bible-thumping-do-gooders - You call the entire Mid West a small western group? LOL!

Did any of my statements say that I think the vast majority of the Buddhists do live up to what Buddha said? No I did not. - Never said they did.

but that would again not be enough evidence for your generalizing statement - Thats only your opinion. Which I and it would seem most people here including #39 by an actual follower of Buddhism who said the majority of people dont follow it properly and have a lack of compassion. So while your views are based by your own admission on observing your group of friends mine are based on 19 years of Thailand and also seem to reflect the views of the majority of other people contributing here as well. Perhaps all of us are wrong and you alone are right, but we both know thats about as likely as a Thai policeman not being corrupt.

[Swiss1960]

Meat consumption is NOT prohibited in the Theravada Buddhism - how convenient.

You made the link between Buddhist and eating meat (“carnivores”) and said that it is hardly in line with the Buddha’s teaching... which is wrong, as you specifically mentioned the Theravada form of Buddhism

Of course there are, but nowhere from my experience are they the “vast majority of Buddhists”. - I said the vast majority of Thais, not Buddhists. Lets keep it in perspective.

You talked about “a country of Buddhists” and you used the expression “the vast majority of Buddhists”, not me => so I am quoting you, it is the perspective that you did set

small western groups like pro-death, anti-gay, gun-toting or bible-thumping-do-gooders - You call the entire Mid West a small western group? LOL!

Well, the West is more than the mid west of the US... it includes Europe, Canada, USA as a starter...

Did any of my statements say that I think the vast majority of the Buddhists do live up to what Buddha said? No I did not. - Never said they did.

Yes, you did implicitly, as you called me a Bigot...

Finally, it is of course a vast majority (5 people by my count, but I could be wrong...) who agree with you and I hereby officially admit my defeat and hope it makes you feel better and I will let you continue with your generalisations...

[loong]

Is there a prize for the most boring thread on Thai visa?

Don't bother answering, I won't be following this topic anymore

[Kananga]

I hereby officially admit my defeat

Thats ok, we all knew this would be the final outcome after your first reply.

[Swiss1960]

I hereby officially admit my defeat

Thats ok, we all knew this would be the final outcome after your first reply.

Nah, don't worry... I could easily continue to show you more flaws in your writing (not too many arguments to rebutt though...), but Buddhism teaches us to be gracious with the less gifted

[Kananga]

I hereby officially admit my defeat

Thats ok, we all knew this would be the final outcome after your first reply.

Nah, don't worry... I could easily continue to show you more flaws in your writing (not too many arguments to rebutt though...), but Buddhism teaches us to be gracious with the less gifted

A 52 year old swiss buddhist. I've heard it all now. If buddhism teaches you to be gracious how do your explain your rude, insulting previous replies? Either your a crap buddhist or a hypocrite . Now wonder you feel like you fit in so well here.

I forgot you were swiss. It would explain why your argument has more holes than your cheese.

[Swiss1960]

I hereby officially admit my defeat

Thats ok, we all knew this would be the final outcome after your first reply.

Nah, don't worry... I could easily continue to show you more flaws in your writing (not too many arguments to rebutt though...), but Buddhism teaches us to be gracious with the less gifted

A 52 year old swiss buddhist. I've heard it all now. If buddhism teaches you to be gracious how do your explain your rude, insulting previous replies? Either your a crap buddhist or a hypocrite . Now wonder you feel like you fit in so well here.

I forgot you were swiss. It would explain why your argument has more holes than your cheese.

Never said I am Buddhist... only said what Buddhism is teaching

[HeavyDrinker]

Never said I am Buddhist... only said what Buddhism is teaching

Which you grossly misunderstand!

You tried to gimp a poster for his lack of cultural understanding and it backfired on you. Big time.

Can you back up your original claim that this is somehow related to Buddhism or were you just using your 'wifey Thai knowledge"?

[cdnvic]

Back on topic and stop insulting each other.

[Swiss1960]

Never said I am Buddhist... only said what Buddhism is teaching

Which you grossly misunderstand!

You tried to gimp a poster for his lack of cultural understanding and it backfired on you. Big time.

Can you back up your original claim that this is somehow related to Buddhism or were you just using your 'wifey Thai knowledge"?

I will do a final statement and after that, I will leave this thread.

Kindly tell me where you learnt about Buddhism… the only thing so far is that you started and continue to diss my post with your statements about “Thai 101 culture from my wife”, while I at least outlined how I did come to the conclusion I did make. And it was Kananga who started a general bashing and who later made clearly wrong statements, i.e. about eating meat...

Of course you can say that it is selfish (and showing only) when somebody has the monks do a blessing / merit ceremony for the success of their new shop... but if it IS selfish (and yes, Buddhism does condemn selfishness) then tell me why the MONKS accept to do these ceremonies, take the money and even encourage the shop owner to have 9 monks and not only 3 monks, because 9 monks bring the maximum of blessing...

Another point is that we probably all agree that many Thais have poor education, many of them were teached by monks, and they learned from childhood about their century old tradition of giving merits and then be allowed to ask for blessing and luck. Of course there are Thai that go to the Wat and ask for their lucky numbers in the lottery... but again, why do the MONKS accept the money and give those numbers? Who is the greedy person?

From my chat with Thai people (including the monks), the Thai have a simple thinking... you give money to the monks and that is the “do good and give” part. And by giving to the monks, they are allowed to do their wishes for personal well-being without being deemed to be selfish. It’s a simple thinking, but again... it is supported by the MONKS who accept and even enforce such actions in order to get donations... so tell me: Do all the MONKS not understand the real Buddhism?

My “Wife”? She prays daily for the blessing of the family. She goes weekly to the temple and donates to the temple and by received blessings from the monks, she therefore feels entitled – and is encouraged by the monks in that feeling – to pray for the well-being of the family (which of course includes the financial well-being). Is that selfish? Maybe... but again, it is what she learned during her childhood, it is what the MONKS (who maybe misunderstand Buddhism???) tell the people is the allowed thing to do.

Blessings for businesses or even motorcycles? Is that selfish? Maybe... but again, it is encouraged by the MONKS and they are really happy to collect the donations they receive and they DO the blessings and by that, they give their Buddhist followers the certainty that they do the right (and necessary) thing.

I don’t negate that there are people who organize such ceremonies to show off... so far, I have never been involved in any of them and that is why from my personal experience and along above thoughts that I gathered through talking with people, I do NOT think that the “vast majority of Buddhists in this country” are selfish and do blessing / merit ceremonies for show only.

They truly believe that these ceremonies are necessary and that the payment to the monks is a donation that entitles them to ask for personal and business success... and again, the monks support them in that thinking.

If you want to do a general bashing, then maybe about the monks who – specially in the big cities - I think have a pretty greedy interpretation of Buddha’s teachings and collect money to cover their Wat in gold and show off towards other Wat in the region... but then again, I have seen the Wat where my wife and her father go every month (way off the cities), where the donations are used to build a hospital and you can currently see the new ER and IC building rise for the sake of the people living in that area.

Every coin has two sides and fact is both sides of the coin are equal in size... so general bashing, against which I have written in TV on various themes, is mostly wrong in my personal view.

(Edited for typo errors)