Temple in Thailand to hand out smart phones to lure young attendants

[canarysun]

Am I the only one who uses his smart phone to read novels, see where something is located, and to translate Thai to English, and vice versa? It's a tool, and like most tools, it's all in how it's used.

Yes I have met quite a few " tools " over the years.... (Kind respect to our more sensitive viewer..)

[JohnThailandJohn]

Am I the only one who uses his smart phone to read novels, see where something is located, and to translate Thai to English, and vice versa? It's a tool, and like most tools, it's all in how it's used.

Others may use it to keep in contact with friends, make phone calls, look up information on the internet, play games, listen to music, take and share and view photos and other enjoyable activities ... in other words an EVIL device.

Edited December 19, 2014 by JohnThailandJohn

[Johnnie99]

Are they saying the delights of Buddhism are not enough to attract people?

[Sviss Geez]

Nothing more religious than looking down at your phone while praying to Bhudda.

What does it matter if someone is doing something at the same time as praying as long as they are worshipping whoever they feel appropriate? And who are we to criticise the actions of another faith if it does not affect us?

[Sviss Geez]

High time that all temples and places of worship in Thailand will under go a vigour audit, as many of them

engage in fund unscrupulous funds raising and acting like a business for all intends and purposes and have

more money and assets than many of local big companies here, and who is the beneficiaries of such wealth?

the public? hardly, the abbots and the monks and their cronies? for sure...

"...as many of them engage in fund unscrupulous funds raising and acting like a business for all intends and purposes and have

more money and assets than many of local big companies here, and who is the beneficiaries of such wealth?

the public?"

Sounds just like an accurate description of the Catholic church and the Church of England as well, but let's not let reality get in the way of a Thai bash, eh?

Edited December 19, 2014 by Sviss Geez

[Sviss Geez]

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect Thailand1418951523.910890.jpg

Just what the doctor ordered, more brain-dead youngsters that don't know how to converse unless via social media on a <deleted> smart phone.

The irony of your comment is that if you took that photo, while you were preparing to take it and actually taking it, you were doing exactly what you're being critical of, ie, not conversing because your attention was elsewhere.

If you didn't take it then you don't know what they were doing just before the photo op, perhaps they were enjoying a meaningful conversation.

Bear in mind also that no-one, including you, spends 24 hours a day conversing with others, we all need a break sometimes and just because someone uses a smartphone doesn't necessarily make them brain-dead. Maybe you use one?

Edited December 19, 2014 by Sviss Geez

[Jonmarleesco]

Some hope of Thailand ever defeating corruption.

[CharlieH]

Several derogatory remarks and off topic posts removed

[Squeegee]

They will take the phone, wait 'til the end of the required time and go back to their modern lives.

The monks condoning materialism to be hip are deluded. They should see what's happened in the West and take note they are lucky to still have a congregation here in Thailand that is 100 years behind many other countries.

[CantSpell]

They give a phone worth 25k THB to young people coming on 27th December?

Where is the money coming from?

Return on investment wise it doesnt seems very wise... 25K a visit is expensive...

Where do I sign

[Alwyn]

so much for surrendering all Worldly possessions, eating once a day and sleeping under a tree then..

[Chonburiram]

Not many youngsters around who would attend a 9 day (night) merit making ceremony in the temple for a smart phone they already have.

I know people who use their smart phones for religious purposes.

If the monk is a good teacher, noone would dare to take the offer...

[katana]

I just came across this related article:

http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/101east/2014/12/thailand-tainted-robes-2014121710360199852.html

The monk at 03:50 looks a bit like Thaksin

[lvr181]

Religion is wonderful, isn't it - always seems to be money involved for saving souls (others or your own). Here we read about the cream, aka money, rising to the top of the milk, aka religion!

How about people helping those in need, without monetary reward? Or just being a nice person to other people without fear or expectation, of punishment or reward, so beloved of religious movements.

Am I an agnostic or atheist...hmmmm