Back in the 80's I used to be all warm and cuddly about Buddhism, believing everything I saw and read. Then the following were reported/seen:

1) High ranking monks playing the field at night time in various forms of military dress and the like.

2) Monks in video stores checking out the latest movies, in department stores viewing new watches?

3) Monks riding on the back of motor bikes? I thought money was a no no as a monk?

4) Mid 90's, one reverred monk Luang Por Khoon (excuse the spelling) taken to hospital when his Mercedes overturned - his Mercedes?!

5) Monks routinely talking or texting on IPhones - As a layman, I don't have an IPhone.

6) The photo of the monk on the plane with the high end gear.

If I were to give it more thought, I could probably find a few other things. Under the microscope, Thais likely offend other cultures in equal measures.

That said, one man's meat......

Your point 5) - using the term 'layman' about yourself would assume that these about whom you write are religious - they are, of course, not. Buddhism is not a religion, which requires a deity.

Buddha never claimed to be either immortal nor a god of any type.

Not necessarily: LAYMAN - a person without professional or specialised knowledge in a particular subject. Although I commented it's not a subject I have specialised knowledge in and I wasn't making any assumptions.

As an aside - you state 'Buddha never claimed to be either immortal nor a god of any type.' - I wonder how you could know such a thing about someone that lived so long ago? Was each and every thing he said passed down the generations? He may indeed have claimed as such but it was never recorded for posterity?

Back in the 80's I used to be all warm and cuddly about Buddhism, believing everything I saw and read. Then the following were reported/seen:

1) High ranking monks playing the field at night time in various forms of military dress and the like.

2) Monks in video stores checking out the latest movies, in department stores viewing new watches?

3) Monks riding on the back of motor bikes? I thought money was a no no as a monk?

4) Mid 90's, one reverred monk Luang Por Khoon (excuse the spelling) taken to hospital when his Mercedes overturned - his Mercedes?!

5) Monks routinely talking or texting on IPhones - As a layman, I don't have an IPhone.

6) The photo of the monk on the plane with the high end gear.

If I were to give it more thought, I could probably find a few other things. Under the microscope, Thais likely offend other cultures in equal measures.

That said, one man's meat......

Your point 5) - using the term 'layman' about yourself would assume that these about whom you write are religious - they are, of course, not. Buddhism is not a religion, which requires a deity.

Buddha never claimed to be either immortal nor a god of any type.

Not necessarily: LAYMAN - a person without professional or specialised knowledge in a particular subject. Although I commented it's not a subject I have specialised knowledge in and I wasn't making any assumptions.

As an aside - you state 'Buddha never claimed to be either immortal nor a god of any type.' - I wonder how you could know such a thing about someone that lived so long ago? Was each and every thing he said passed down the generations? He may indeed have claimed as such but it was never recorded for posterity?

Its a philosophy Sonny. Catch up on your reading! It is funny they are butt-hurt over symbolism in rock and sub-genres of music/art.

Back in the 80's I used to be all warm and cuddly about Buddhism, believing everything I saw and read. Then the following were reported/seen:

1) High ranking monks playing the field at night time in various forms of military dress and the like.

2) Monks in video stores checking out the latest movies, in department stores viewing new watches?

3) Monks riding on the back of motor bikes? I thought money was a no no as a monk?

4) Mid 90's, one reverred monk Luang Por Khoon (excuse the spelling) taken to hospital when his Mercedes overturned - his Mercedes?!

5) Monks routinely talking or texting on IPhones - As a layman, I don't have an IPhone.

6) The photo of the monk on the plane with the high end gear.

If I were to give it more thought, I could probably find a few other things. Under the microscope, Thais likely offend other cultures in equal measures.

That said, one man's meat......

Your point 5) - using the term 'layman' about yourself would assume that these about whom you write are religious - they are, of course, not. Buddhism is not a religion, which requires a deity.

Buddha never claimed to be either immortal nor a god of any type.

Not necessarily: LAYMAN - a person without professional or specialised knowledge in a particular subject. Although I commented it's not a subject I have specialised knowledge in and I wasn't making any assumptions.

As an aside - you state 'Buddha never claimed to be either immortal nor a god of any type.' - I wonder how you could know such a thing about someone that lived so long ago? Was each and every thing he said passed down the generations? He may indeed have claimed as such but it was never recorded for posterity?

Its a philosophy Sonny. Catch up on your reading! It is funny they are butt-hurt over symbolism in rock and sub-genres of music/art.

Sonny? How condescending thou art for one so young, all of 33 years old, so wise. I'd seen it, done it and ticked it off before you even drew breath BOY. Perhaps you ought to catch up on your manners, if you ever had any.

Back in the 80's I used to be all warm and cuddly about Buddhism, believing everything I saw and read. Then the following were reported/seen:

1) High ranking monks playing the field at night time in various forms of military dress and the like.

2) Monks in video stores checking out the latest movies, in department stores viewing new watches?

3) Monks riding on the back of motor bikes? I thought money was a no no as a monk?

4) Mid 90's, one reverred monk Luang Por Khoon (excuse the spelling) taken to hospital when his Mercedes overturned - his Mercedes?!

5) Monks routinely talking or texting on IPhones - As a layman, I don't have an IPhone.

6) The photo of the monk on the plane with the high end gear.

If I were to give it more thought, I could probably find a few other things. Under the microscope, Thais likely offend other cultures in equal measures.

That said, one man's meat......

Your point 5) - using the term 'layman' about yourself would assume that these about whom you write are religious - they are, of course, not. Buddhism is not a religion, which requires a deity.

Buddha never claimed to be either immortal nor a god of any type.

Not necessarily: LAYMAN - a person without professional or specialised knowledge in a particular subject. Although I commented it's not a subject I have specialised knowledge in and I wasn't making any assumptions.

As an aside - you state 'Buddha never claimed to be either immortal nor a god of any type.' - I wonder how you could know such a thing about someone that lived so long ago? Was each and every thing he said passed down the generations? He may indeed have claimed as such but it was never recorded for posterity?

According to an article i read on the net ( where i don't know now ) he didn't think that one was born again in another life, '' A teacher lives on through his teaching'' was apparently what he said. He didn't deny that there may be a God, '' We can never know,it is therefore pointless to think about it''. Oh and i did meet a Thai who thought he was born in Thailand.

.....as for real Thai monks.....

woulda looked better in black with gold haha ..

Someone should tell the Thai's that the Buddha is NOT Thai.. You would be surprised how many actually think he is ! Really.

Something I have always found strange: Thai's don't seem bothered at all by the fake monks from various countries, who walk around begging in farang areas at night. For me I'd think this was very disrespectful???

Yet they get all excited about this...

As we all know Thailand is the land of imitation as opposed to innovation hence perhaps if they (the Thais) were to look at the origin of ''The Buddha himself and the country perhaps they might realise they in reality have no right to comment on something they (the Thai's) have misappropriated.

Is not one of the precepts of Buddhism that one should not steal?

Buddhism is a nontheistic religion^] that encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly known as the Buddha, meaning "the awakened one". According to Buddhist tradition, the Buddha lived and taught in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BCE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhism

The five precepts are training rules in order to live a better life in which one is happy, without worries, and can meditate well:

1. To refrain from taking life (non-violence towards sentient life forms), or ahimsā;
2. To refrain from taking that which is not given (not committing theft);
3. To refrain from sensual (including sexual) misconduct;
4. To refrain from lying (speaking truth always);
5. To refrain from intoxicants which lead to loss of mindfulness (specifically, drugs and alcohol).

How many "buddhists" do actualy practise these precepts???

Now, perhaps Thais know how Jews feel when they idolize Hitler or use the Hakenkreuz (Swastika).

Jews were not the only people who suffered in WW2.

No, but they're the ones that get the most uppity about that kind of stuff.

We're all supposed to feel guilty about it, even if we weren't German or weren't even born.

He is Japanese. He wore it in Japan. Dry your eyes.

Insecure much? I'd be more worried about the accordion player. Jeezus.

She looks like she's going to go postal any second..

Thais rage over monk robe worn by Issara.

Thais rage

Rage, the hallmark of true Buddhists. This is exactly how the Buddha taught them to react when they feel offended. /sarcasm

"lead singer Takaya Yamauchi rocking out in a Buddhist monk robe"

That guy doesn't look Buddhist.

Where's the mobile phone? Zip gun? Yaa Baa? Porn DVDs?

.

Thais should be outraged by the numbers of criminals, rapists, child molesters and murderers wearing a monk's robe in Thailand itself; living in hiding.... earning a fortune... as opposed to 1 Japanese pop band. Clean ups start in one's own backyard.

I also have proof of such, so if anybody wants to shun me, go ahead.

I agree with you, They are perfect in the eyes of Thais, even when they are being abused, religion sometimes is a joke

Wat Mayhem! Kewl name!