PM stresses the need of religious reform

[rooster59]

PM stresses the need of religious reform

 

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha stressed the need for religious reform in Thailand so that all Thai Buddhists would be brought back to mainstream Buddhism and follow the teachings of the Lord Buddha.

 

He said that the monks themselves must put their own house in order in order to restore public trust and confidence and also to weed out “bad” monks from their ranks.

 

He said both the monks and the lay people must join hands in the reform effort and to cleanse the monastic order of bad elements.

 

Full story: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-stresses-need-religious-reform/

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2017-02-18

 

[thai3]

Can't keep his nose out of any aspect of people's lives can he. Probably more important to reform the Police, Education system and slash the ludicrously large armed forces first.

[rkidlad]

How about this for religious form. Teach common sense, etiquette, decency and empathy. And when you're 21, you're free to read about religon and choose one if you want. Hell, you can even make one up if that helps you to live with the fact that you're an animal who will one day be worm food. 

 

Stop pushing religion rhetoric and start pushing common sense. 

[fruitman]

Well said General!! But only words won't change anything....

[whatawonderfulday]

Actually, and I hate to agree with him for the first time, I believe he is correct.   Buddhist monks in Thailand are renowned for being as corrupt as most of the elite.  Usually an excuse to escape justice or else an opportunity to meddle in drugs, underage sex, gambling and money laundering. Buddhism in Thailand is as corrupt as most things.  Buddhism is a wonderful way of life for millennia. Personally I have no patience for any religion or ethos but at least true Buddhism is possibly the best.  But here in Thailand it is just an excuse.  Much like Catholics going to the Priest for a confessional, receiving absolution,  and the very next day committing the same moral sins as before.  Hypocrites through and through.

 

So why is it that Monks in my village still go home to their own houses at night,  travel premium class when flying and most of all are never in the temple when the brainwashed locals want to ask them a question ?

[jaltsc]

"Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha stressed the need for religious reform in Thailand so that all Thai Buddhists would be brought back to mainstream Buddhism and follow the teachings of the Lord Buddha.  

 

What's really needed is "Ethical Reform" in all facets of Thai society. 

 

I'd like for Prayut to list which of Lord Buddha's teachings he would like all to follow, and which ones they should ignore...and his rationale for both.

 

 

[Laughing Gravy]

So if this actually happens I guess there will be lots of mobile phones, money, property, cars etc, getting handed in, as I have seen nothing but wealth from the Monks. Some how I doubt this will happen but in principle I agree.

[trainman34014]

Hmmmm; well, we've seen how his idea's of 'reform' in other area's have worked out.....zero change, so don't hold out much hope for this idea either.   The day he sees that talking changes nothing and strong action is needed in so many area's the country might start to progress.

[canuckamuck]

They're nearly as corrupt as the military, and that is unacceptable.

[mtls2005]

This means no more Dhammakaya, and the Maha Nikaya better take heed.

 

Prayut loves making pronouncements, and telling the people what to do. 

 

I think he should probably stay on as PM for another 20 years, not that he wants to of course.

 

It looks like "the dark green party" has the longest serving PMs? Interesting.

 

 

[debate101]

The Lord Buddha explicitly told people not to worship or follow him, so we're off to a poor start already. He would have loathed organized religion as it is practiced in Thailand and would have found the idea of a government ruling by military force trying to tell people what to believe and how to act heinous.

[williamgeorgeallen]

is there anything in thailand that does not need reform? serious question.

[Jack Mountain]

Teach ppl how to think, not what to think ...

[lonewolf99]

Good monks in ....bad monks out.......

 

religion...currently the root of all evil.....globally.

 

 

[yellowboat]

34 minutes ago, williamgeorgeallen said:

is there anything in thailand that does not need reform? serious question.

Rule of law and education would probably negate the need for the is endless talk of reform. 

 

Education would be a problem for the junta, as people may not reconcile to being told what to think, and rule of law would trouble the corrupt elite.  Thailand will just remain the circus that it is. 

[hansnl]

6 hours ago, thai3 said:

Can't keep his nose out of any aspect of people's lives can he. Probably more important to reform the Police, Education system and slash the ludicrously large armed forces first.

But he is absolutely right.

Back to the bush monks.

[DNPBC0]

3 hours ago, debate101 said:

The Lord Buddha explicitly told people not to worship or follow him, so we're off to a poor start already. He would have loathed organized religion as it is practiced in Thailand and would have found the idea of a government ruling by military force trying to tell people what to believe and how to act heinous.

It's good to see a comment from someone who appears to understand the Buddha's views about a Buddhist's freedom to disagree and interpret his teachings. However,  the Buddha did lay down rules for the behaviour of ordained monks. In my view, it is certainly not the job of the Thai junta leader to monitor and enforce these, although I do understand his frustration in watching the apparent surge of alleged examples of massive breaches of these required behaviours. The responsibility seems to rest with the Supreme Patriarch - the Pontifex Maximus ('Pope') of all bhikkus and Buddhist adherents in Thailand.

What has he to say, what actions does he propose to take?

 

[johng]

is there anything in thailand that does not need reform? serious question.

maybe "the bum gun" is the only thing near to perfection.

[johng]

The responsibility seems to rest with the Supreme Patriarch - the Pontifex Maximus ('Pope') of all bhikkus and Buddhist adherents in Thailand.

What has he to say, what actions does he propose to take?
 

well seeing as he was (recently) appointed by the junta maybe he agrees with them.

[mtls2005]

It is amusing that people think this is about "religious" "reform".

 

Need to find an app that automatically adds quotation marks around every word which is "Junta-speak".

[lvr181]

Thai Buddhism needs reform, police need reform et al, etc etc. There seems little reality in the constant announcements of fixing anything!  Just the usual litany, ad nauseam, but little action or follow up. Perhaps there is much face in making announcements?  

 

Time will tell and history will judge, but it isn't looking good on either account. Feudalism, along with corruption still reigns supreme. 

[The manic]

1 hour ago, DNPBC0 said:

It's good to see a comment from someone who appears to understand the Buddha's views about a Buddhist's freedom to disagree and interpret his teachings. However,  the Buddha did lay down rules for the behaviour of ordained monks. In my view, it is certainly not the job of the Thai junta leader to monitor and enforce these, although I do understand his frustration in watching the apparent surge of alleged examples of massive breaches of these required behaviours. The responsibility seems to rest with the Supreme Patriarch - the Pontifex Maximus ('Pope') of all bhikkus and Buddhist adherents in Thailand.

What has he to say, what actions does he propose to take?

 

Elections would be a good start as a reform.  How can an unelected soldier prime minister talk of reform?

[realenglish1]

Yup I expected this as well. Now he wants to control religion

 

 

[IMA_FARANG]

When you see this in my rplies it means to me that I would be better off talking to a stone wall.

[wakeupplease]

Something wrong here

 

religion

Buddhists

 

And here am I thinking that it was a way of life and not a religion

 

You learn something everyday

[manhood]

So why don't people start thinking about their believings!!!! They can see how the monks acting, the government pushing people to follow the monks and the "thai buddism" as a religion that is (as all religions) missused by ordinary people such as monks as well.

I would never bend my head down for a monk! what makes him different to any other people?????

 

So it's education and traditions that let things go wrong!!!!!!!!

[rkidlad]

46 minutes ago, wakeupplease said:

Something wrong here

 

religion

Buddhists

 

And here am I thinking that it was a way of life and not a religion

 

You learn something everyday

It's a religon. May not be what Buddha wanted, but it's what he got. 

 

The worship and belief in a god or a thing. Reincarnation until you find true enlightenment. There's no such this as reincarnation, and all the good ideas are simply common sense. Abstanance, material items, drugs, etc, are a choice. If you wanna refrain then go nuts, but we're all ultimately the ones who control our own lives. All common sense. 

[liberty9133]

What's the monks' point of view. Cannot believe that they are OK with military intervention.

[wakeupplease]

7 hours ago, rkidlad said:

It's a religon. May not be what Buddha wanted, but it's what he got. 

 

The worship and belief in a god or a thing. Reincarnation until you find true enlightenment. There's no such this as reincarnation, and all the good ideas are simply common sense. Abstanance, material items, drugs, etc, are a choice. If you wanna refrain then go nuts, but we're all ultimately the ones who control our own lives. All common sense. 

but we're all ultimately the ones who control our own lives

 

Not in the land of misery mate its the chosen one who controls your life or have you not noticed that yet

[daveAustin]

He's right here, but most Thais struggle with Buddhism... big desires for wealth and power are all pervasive as with anywhere.