Popular Post David48 Posted March 11, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted March 11, 2013 Of men and Monks … Well, I have a slightly different day planned today. In the home country we have a local Temple. Draw a mental picture of a converted housewith a few men in saffron robes. Lot’s of aspiration to build a more tradition place ofworship. But the spiritualism comes from the heart and not the building … so, for the moment, it’s a simple gathering place. In a foreign country and without a car, presumably the Thai Monks very rarely travel, so, when one visit I suggested to the Thai girlfriend (Miss M) ... let's take them sightseeing ... bet they don't often get to do that. No, can not ... was the reply Sure, can, just ask them ... I said. No, can not ... was the 2nd reply Worried that I was dating a broken record, I shuffled over to a lady monk.Easy to distinguish from the men as she was dressed in white, like a nursewithout the red stripes. You can imagine Miss M’s horror when Florence Nightingale dragged us bothbefore the two saffron clad monks and regaled my plan. Miss M always wanted to have white skin ... well she got it that day as theblood drained from her face, visibly white, then red and within 20 mins hadrecovered back to her beautiful coffee coloured pigment when the unanimousanswer was yes ... we'd love to accompany you sightseeing. Old Florence then piped up and asked just how large my car was. So ... I had a choice ... 16 vestal virgins or two guys in colouredbed-sheets wearing no underwear and walking around in Jesus shoes. Well, the boys won the day ... and I won the hearts of everyone there and Miss M got lots of 'you lucky lady. Have handsom man, jai dee muk marrk' Ok, OK ... I adlibbed the 'handsom man' comment ... but the rest of thestory is kosher. So, today, if the rain stays away ... it's off to the rainforest we go. Handsom man at the wheel, two excited snap-happy Monks as tourists ... and avery nervous passenger named Miss M who will be sweating everyone of mymovements as to make sure I don't offend Bhudda's journeymen today. I presume then Miss M ... a refreshment stop at the Pub on the way home isout of the question? So, my question I would ask is ... do you think Thai people are unduly deferential to monks and forget that they are people just the same as them? . 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookMan Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 Look forward to the pictures of you guys at the fun park 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayned Posted March 11, 2013 Share Posted March 11, 2013 I think that Thai people, especially my wife, forget that they are real people as long as they are wearing the safron robes, BUT: A few year ago there was a shindig at our local temple where many of the head monks from diffent temples were there. After it was over my wife asked me to take one of the monks back to his temple, about 30 kilometers away. I agreed, and after stopping at 4 different places for him to buy things we arrived and bid him fairwell. He was former neighbor and had been head monk for about 12 years. About a week later, I was asleep in bed and my wife woke me up and told me that my "friend" was outside and wanted to drink with me. I asked who, she said go look. I looked and saw a girl and a man sitting in the gazebo but didn't recognize them. She then told me that it was the monk that I had driven to the temple. I said monks aren't supposed to drink. She told me that he had quit the monkhood fearing that his girlfriend would marry someone else. So I went and drank with him. They got married, had a child, and now he is the biggest alcoholic in the village. Guess that they are "real people"! True story! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villagefarang Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Your girlfriend sounds quite traditional and correct in her reluctance to socialize with monks. It is seen a bad form for a woman to be riding around in a car with a monk or doing anything with a monk for that matter. When monks are collected and driven to a ceremony outside the temple, it is always a man who picks them up. Monks are also supposed to be dedicated to the disciplines of the religion and less attached to the material and social aspects of society. You could be seen as corrupting them, in a way. Then again they could be using the whole monk thing as a way to get a visa, so no real harm done.In Thailand though, I would suggest you listen to your girlfriend if she insists that somethings are just not done. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muythai2013 Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 my wifes brother gets about a bit, last year he was in Burma, then India and now japan. better believe i'm not shouting him to those places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post villagefarang Posted March 12, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted March 12, 2013 Regardless of what one thinks of monks, knowing how to behave in Thailand will earn you many points with the locals. Overseas is different in my opinion and a little shock therapy is in order when a Thai girl is on her first overseas trip. Pointing out certain behaviors that are deemed normal in the West but frowned upon in Thailand may help them to understand that many things are arbitrary and culturally based. Then again it may not. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robby nz Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 See a lot of monks around and rarely see a smile among them. Makes me wonder if they, specially the older ones are happy with the life they have chosen ( presuming they made the choice,) for themselves. Also wonder what if anything they expect to get out the life they have led. Would it be to come back in a future life as something, someone better? If so it seems to me a bad bet to spend your life on your knees in prayer for something that may or may not exist. But then to do the praying bit you would have to believe. This of course goes for any religion most of which seem to offer you a heaven or paradise and threaten with a hell. Think I will continue to try to make the most of what I have and not put any faith in another life. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simple1 Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 OP: Respect should be earned by members of the Sangha. Unfortunately many aspects of Theravada Buddhism in Thailand have been corrupted, especially the encouragement of "making merit" for personal gain. As a broad generalisation, in my opinion, Thai people are unduly deferential to this institutionalised belief system. However, it appears to provide Thais a sense of belonging to the Nation and or the local community so I guess no harm done. For some relevant commentary on Buddhism in Thailand, you may like to go to the following URL: http://buddhaspace.blogspot.com/2013/02/thai-buddhism-land-of-buddha.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cup-O-coffee Posted March 12, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted March 12, 2013 (edited) So, my question I would ask is ... do you think Thai people are unduly deferential to monks and forget that they are people just the same as them? I think you give Thai people too much credit for being the kind of people who embrace the higher levels of consciousness. I think the thoughts of the Thai people, in general, do not go beyond what's directly under their nose at the appointed time, or beyond their stomach growling and pursuing their feelings of hunger - and upon leaving the presence of something that triggers their behavior (such as a wat or a monk) they immediately begin focusing on thoughts of lotteries, money, football, skin-whitening cream, etc, etc; anything that has to do with self gratification or self-pity. I also think it does not matter whether the monk is concrete, flesh and blood, or gold-plated granite. The Thais will use the opportunity to act out (to save FACE or earn merit in their deceived, superstitious little minds) and then immediately go back to their lunatic mode once the coast is clear. Regarding the monks being people just the same as they are, I think you touched on a great point that is overlooked the majority of the time: Monks are Thais. That really says a lot for these bums (in my emphatic opinion) who play dress up for two years, or go on to live the rest of their lives acting like something they are not but reaping the benefits at the expense of many poor, illiterate, uneducated and superstitious acolytes. But isn't that what Thais are all about; acting like something they are not in an effort to deceive others; hiding behind lies in order to present a world full of lies and half-truths? Generally speaking of course. Religion is like skin whitening cream. You are brainwashed into believing that you cannot be happy the way you are. It teaches you that you are inadequate without it and should feel shame if you don't buy into its performance-based-acceptance scheme, which relies upon your vanity or guilt to perpetuate its existence. Edited March 12, 2013 by cup-O-coffee 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rattler Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 So, my question I would ask is ... do you think Thai people are unduly deferential to monks and forget that they are people just the same as them? I think you give Thai people too much credit for being the kind of people who embrace the higher levels of consciousness. I think the thoughts of the Thai people, in general, do not go beyond what's directly under their nose at the appointed time, or beyond their stomach growling and pursuing their feelings of hunger - and upon leaving the presence of something that triggers their behavior (such as a wat or a monk) they immediately begin focusing on thoughts of lotteries, money, football, skin-whitening cream, etc, etc; anything that has to do with self gratification or self-pity. I also think it does not matter whether the monk is concrete, flesh and blood, or gold-plated granite. The Thais will use the opportunity to act out (to save FACE or earn merit in their deceived, superstitious little minds) and then immediately go back to their lunatic mode once the coast is clear. Regarding the monks being people just the same as they are, I think you touched on a great point that is overlooked the majority of the time: Monks are Thais. That really says a lot for these bums (in my emphatic opinion) who play dress up for two years, or go on to live the rest of their lives acting like something they are not but reaping the benefits at the expense of many poor, illiterate, uneducated and superstitious acolytes. But isn't that what Thais are all about; acting like something they are not in an effort to deceive others; hiding behind lies in order to present a world full of lies and half-truths? Generally speaking of course. Religion is like skin whitening cream. You are brainwashed into believing that you cannot be happy the way you are. It teaches you that you are inadequate without it and should feel shame if you don't buy into its performance-based-acceptance scheme, which relies upon your vanity or guilt to perpetuate its existence. I dont know about +1 more like +100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CobraSnakeNecktie Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Don't monks get free transportation in Thailand? Not airplanes but I think everything else like busses and Songthaw's right? It seems there is a real range of monks. Very smiley ones with great energy to really colossal douche bags. I guess its good to make the effort at least to refine oneself. Just think if they didn't study? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrisoPee Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Don't monks get free transportation in Thailand? Not airplanes but I think everything else like busses and Songthaw's right? It seems there is a real range of monks. Very smiley ones with great energy to really colossal douche bags. I guess its good to make the effort at least to refine oneself. Just think if they didn't study? Not always the case, some Monks do have to pay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ministry of Som Tam Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 I think that Thai people, especially my wife, forget that they are real people as long as they are wearing the safron robes, BUT: A few year ago there was a shindig at our local temple where many of the head monks from diffent temples were there. After it was over my wife asked me to take one of the monks back to his temple, about 30 kilometers away. I agreed, and after stopping at 4 different places for him to buy things we arrived and bid him fairwell. He was former neighbor and had been head monk for about 12 years. About a week later, I was asleep in bed and my wife woke me up and told me that my "friend" was outside and wanted to drink with me. I asked who, she said go look. I looked and saw a girl and a man sitting in the gazebo but didn't recognize them. She then told me that it was the monk that I had driven to the temple. I said monks aren't supposed to drink. She told me that he had quit the monkhood fearing that his girlfriend would marry someone else. So I went and drank with him. They got married, had a child, and now he is the biggest alcoholic in the village. Guess that they are "real people"! True story! Is that a 'Thai style' happy ending then,apart from the other obvious one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ministry of Som Tam Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Your girlfriend sounds quite traditional and correct in her reluctance to socialize with monks. It is seen a bad form for a woman to be riding around in a car with a monk or doing anything with a monk for that matter. When monks are collected and driven to a ceremony outside the temple, it is always a man who picks them up. Monks are also supposed to be dedicated to the disciplines of the religion and less attached to the material and social aspects of society. You could be seen as corrupting them, in a way. Then again they could be using the whole monk thing as a way to get a visa, so no real harm done. In Thailand though, I would suggest you listen to your girlfriend if she insists that somethings are just not done. I would imagine that most of what you have just posted goes against just about every single teaching in Buddhism! Remind me,Thailand is a Buddhist Nation,isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 Just back from the afternoon with the Monks. We couldn't leave before 12.30 as that is when they had finished their meal. I've read the comments above and some genuinely deserving of a reply ... if just to place them in the context of what we shared today. Can't do it now though and will respond in the morning. Our trip today was to show some of the nature of my area. The first photo from today ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 See a lot of monks around and rarely see a smile among them. Seems happy enough. Must have been one of those 'rare' Monks . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookMan Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 See a lot of monks around and rarely see a smile among them. DSCF9507 C.jpg Seems happy enough. Must have been one of those 'rare' Monks . And damn tootin he is happy, he'll be having horse for dinner tonight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 See a lot of monks around and rarely see a smile among them. DSCF9507 C.jpg Seems happy enough. Must have been one of those 'rare' Monks . And damn tootin he is happy, he'll be having horse for dinner tonight This isn't TESCO in Europe you know ... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BookMan Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 How was the communication with the Monks and yourself David48? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 How was the communication with the Monks and yourself David48? The older Monk understood slow and clear English pretty good. The younger Monk (photo above) ... less so. Miss M translated all day. They really enjoyed being one with Nature ... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h90 Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 "I presume then Miss M ... a refreshment stop at the Pub on the way home is out of the question?" I recall when my staff asked the strict Muslim how about going out drinking...... But it might make the Miss upset if you go drinking with monks.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevvy Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 See a lot of monks around and rarely see a smile among them. DSCF9507 C.jpg Seems happy enough. Must have been one of those 'rare' Monks . I have seen many rare monks to , every Sunday morning at the temple , very nice people , as there is a huge market there starting at 6.00am with all trash and treasure stuff(so cheap) old radio's car parts everything as well as the freshest veggies and meat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenslegs Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Just back from the afternoon with the Monks. We couldn't leave before 12.30 as that is when they had finished their meal. I've read the comments above and some genuinely deserving of a reply ... if just to place them in the context of what we shared today. Can't do it now though and will respond in the morning. Our trip today was to show some of the nature of my area. The first photo from today ... LR DSCF9470.jpg Socks and sandals - OMB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookedondhamma Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 (edited) Just back from the afternoon with the Monks. We couldn't leave before 12.30 as that is when they had finished their meal. I've read the comments above and some genuinely deserving of a reply ... if just to place them in the context of what we shared today. Can't do it now though and will respond in the morning. Our trip today was to show some of the nature of my area. The first photo from today ... LR DSCF9470.jpg Socks and sandals - OMB Yep, socks and sandals.People wear them when they are cold, or whatever other reason . And don't forget, monks are people, too. You should check out some of the photos from the temples in England. They have sweatshirts sometimes to stay warm. Edited March 12, 2013 by hookedondhamma Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rookball Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 there are many different type of monks i think. maybe someone more knowledgeable could clarify. some are so strict that they arent suppose to wear shoes i think and i see them walking around the hot tarmac barefooted 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenslegs Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Just back from the afternoon with the Monks. We couldn't leave before 12.30 as that is when they had finished their meal. I've read the comments above and some genuinely deserving of a reply ... if just to place them in the context of what we shared today. Can't do it now though and will respond in the morning. Our trip today was to show some of the nature of my area. The first photo from today ... LR DSCF9470.jpg Socks and sandals - OMB Yep, socks and sandals.People wear them when they are cold, or whatever other reason . And don't forget, monks are people, too. You should check out some of the photos from the temples in England. They have sweatshirts sometimes to stay warm. The smiley was there to indicate a lighthearted comment. My real issue with the monk's attire is that he seems to be carrying some sort of phallus under his left arm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hookedondhamma Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 Just back from the afternoon with the Monks. We couldn't leave before 12.30 as that is when they had finished their meal. I've read the comments above and some genuinely deserving of a reply ... if just to place them in the context of what we shared today. Can't do it now though and will respond in the morning. Our trip today was to show some of the nature of my area. The first photo from today ... LR DSCF9470.jpg Socks and sandals - OMB Yep, socks and sandals.People wear them when they are cold, or whatever other reason . And don't forget, monks are people, too. You should check out some of the photos from the temples in England. They have sweatshirts sometimes to stay warm. The smiley was there to indicate a lighthearted comment. My real issue with the monk's attire is that he seems to be carrying some sort of phallus under his left arm. oh, even though i can't make it out, penis amulets are fairly common here; I have seen some people, and monks as well, with gigantic ones. For defense, maybe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1dna Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 What county is this David? Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1dna Posted March 12, 2013 Share Posted March 12, 2013 How was the communication with the Monks and yourself David48? The older Monk understood slow and clear English pretty good. The younger Monk (photo above) ... less so. Miss M translated all day. They really enjoyed being one with Nature ... . What country is this in David? Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted March 12, 2013 Author Share Posted March 12, 2013 Your girlfriend sounds quite traditional and correct in her reluctance to socialize with monks. It is seen a bad form for a woman to be riding around in a car with a monk or doing anything with a monk for that matter. When monks are collected and driven to a ceremony outside the temple, it is always a man who picks them up. Monks are also supposed to be dedicated to the disciplines of the religion and less attached to the material and social aspects of society. You could be seen as corrupting them, in a way. Then again they could be using the whole monk thing as a way to get a visa, so no real harm done. In Thailand though, I would suggest you listen to your girlfriend if she insists that somethings are just not done. So much to reply to and nowhere better to start with then VF's comments ... My lady ... traditional Thai and practising Buddhist. Not uber religious ... but mainstream for want of a better definition. I asked her about the comment you made about nor being driven around with a Monk in that car and her response was that ... ... both Monks sat in the back, I drove and she was the passenger in the front. Due to the Monks friendly but respectful attitude, there were no real nervous moments. When the camera was handed from the Monk to Miss M for a photo, it was either passed through my hands or cradled in his cloth so no contact was made. We didn't take them to a theme park or the ilk ... but to a National Park / Nature reserve ... it seemed fitting. The Monks are the Temple Monks and live at the Temple 24/7. They are the spiritual guidance for the Thai Community in the City that I live so no ... their Visa is not a sham ... surprised that you would pen that comment ... without asking the whole story ... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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