Reminder: Buddhist Booze Ban In Effect This Weekend

[dick dasterdly]

Just now, longtom said:

The only positive about this rule is that some bar/restaurant/etc. staff will get some well-earned holidays, most have to work through all holidays without proper compensation, unlike all the factory/office/government employees. 

Much appreciated post.  Having a part-time cleaner, I'm never sure which Thai holidays are important (and therefore deserving of a paid holiday) - and which are unimportant.

 

Perhaps I should start a thread to ask the question?

[JAG]

As so many other farangs, you probably confuse buddhism with Thai buddhism.
And this is a Thai forum, so let's not talk about USA or Oezbekistan or Klingon.
 
But I sympathise with your attempts to practise  real buddhism (I am 100% serious), even though real buddhist philosophy is as flawed as western philosophy is.
Opposite flaws, so I understand the attraction of buddhism to westerners.

Oh I don't know, sometimes I get the impression that "Klingon" is widely spoken, perhaps ss a first language ny many of us. ..
:)

[joeyg]

5 hours ago, rkidlad said:

Preach morals through common sense and good examples. Not through a religious doctrine. 

 

You can simply inform people the dangers of drinking too much through scientific facts. Not through making people feel they're less likely to go to heaven or come back as a rich celebrity for enjoying a drink. 

Well I didn't make the system up. everyone knows that drinking too much is no  good.  You don't have to be a scientist to prove that.  it just so happens to be a key tenent of Buddhism.  I don't believe I'm qualified to change that philosophy or any other.  If you don't like it don't participate.

 

[joeyg]

3 hours ago, Puwa said:

It's not a particularly elegant or practical measure, but on the other hand, the country is overrun by drunks both domestic and imported, so drying a few of them out for a day or two is probably good for public health and safety.

Destined to be a classic!!!!  Stated simply and accurately.  Well done!!! 

[rkidlad]

35 minutes ago, joeyg said:

Well I didn't make the system up. everyone knows that drinking too much is no  good.  You don't have to be a scientist to prove that.  it just so happens to be a key tenent of Buddhism.  I don't believe I'm qualified to change that philosophy or any other.  If you don't like it don't participate.

 

Who said people are drinking too much? What people? Have you never met normal people who enjoy a few drinks at the weekend to relax and unwind from a hard week at work. It's their choice if they want to go out and have a drink. 

 

When you force the bars to close under the guise 'it's good for', it automatically becomes the opposite. Let people decide what's good for them based on real knowledge and not some bogus idea of morals. 

 

Good people do good things. They don't talk about it all the time. 

[oldhippy]

4 hours ago, Puwa said:

It's not a particularly elegant or practical measure, but on the other hand, the country is overrun by drunks both domestic and imported, so drying a few of them out for a day or two is probably good for public health and safety.

If that is the aim, ok, but they should do it the old days Norwegian style: announce the ban just before it goes in, so that the heretics can not stock up.

Yes, I wrote Norway, yes.

The country that at the same time is a world leader on humanism, equal rights for all, clean environment, etc and still has a state church and lots of religious zealots.

Great fjords too, especially in the spring.

 

 

 

 

[oldhippy]

4 hours ago, dexjnr555 said:

If you don't like it here, nor respect the Thai culture, then leave it.

I like it here, but I am  not too keen on the culture.

What should I do, oh Wise One?

 

[oldhippy]

1 hour ago, joeyg said:

began studying Buddhism in 1974.  Started with Zen and got interested in Theravada.  I do know the difference.  Would you be so kind as to point out the most outstanding flaws in Buddhism.

 

I will do double what you asked.

I posted this many times before, you are the first one to ask what I mean.

Congratulations.

And maybe you will care to answer.

 

Most outstanding flaw in western philosophy:

If we create the ideal society, everybody will automatically be happy.

"Some" difference of opinion of course, as to what the ideal society looks like: free market, nationalist, socialist, communist, neo liberal, you name it.

 

Most outstanding flaw in buddhist philosophy:

Never mind the shitty circumstances you have to live in, accept your boss is boss, do not try to improve your material welbeing.

Everybody can find happiness within themselves.

 

When I came to Thailand 10 years ago, I naievely hoped to find a middle way ---- no, a superior way for my last years.

Big mistake.

Easier to find a 16 year old in Europe to discuss these things with, than finding a Thai monk who is intersted.

 

I truly hope you will take my post seriously and I look forward to your reply.

( Before, I tried in the Thai buddhist subforum, I will not waste my time there again).

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Crossy]

27 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

I like it here, but I am  not too keen on the culture.

What should I do, oh Wise One?

 

 

Buy beer tomorrow, just like we will.

 

Test match just starting, cold tinnie in hand, Wifey cooking dinner

 

[oldhippy]

1 minute ago, Crossy said:

 

Buy beer tomorrow, just like we will.

 

nah...... I will maybe buy Leo or chang.

And drink my wife's mulberry wine (if she is in a mood to give me some).

Please do not misunderstand "give me some".

 

I am Belgian.

I do not use the expression "beer" lightly.

Our monks do useful things you know.

Particularly the Trappist monks.

 

I hope I did not commit "l m" - lese moderateur with my answer.....555

 

 

[Crossy]

5 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

Our monks do useful things you know.

Particularly the Trappist monks.

 

We loved the Trappist beers when we lived in Tervuren, get 2 "free" glasses with 4 bottles, still have a couple. Although I did drink Stella in Leuven whilst waiting for Wifey shopping in the Asian supermarket.

 

We have Mulberries, how do you make the wine?

 

England 17-1 off 4

 

[stephen tracy]

10 hours ago, hawker9000 said:

No.  You really should work on your reading skills.  Maybe repeat the third grade...    But in your case, that would require some growing up, obviously.   Maybe more than a little...   What I SAID was, that you could drink in your room rather than out in public for the 1 or 2 days of the Thai religious observance.   You apparently not only can't read, but have trouble with counting also.   One....two...three...   Get it?  One day.  Maybe two days.  (It's ok to use your fingers)   In the advanced class, you could even work out the duration in hours and minutes!   Woohoo!   Not all Thais are Buddhist, but that's got absolutely nothing to do with YOU.   Yes,  I know.  EVERYTHING's about YOU.   Well, not in Thailand really.  If every single day of your holiday absolutely requires drinking in bars, then maybe you could add some internet skills to your woefully limited repertoire, and, between liver check-ups, learn to search out their holidays and booze bans ahead of time so you can make a more informed travel decision.  I realize thinking past that next bender may be something of an ordeal, but you should try anyway.  Who knows - when they find out you're not coming, maybe they'll declare a long weekend or something!

 

 

Don't wet yourself mate.  This has got to be the most infantile, pathetically self-righteous rants I've ever read on TV.  I had to stop reading halfway through for a minute because I was in stitches.   Right, that's me off to the nearest temple to crack open a beer a chat to the abbot about brewing techniques and the meaning of life.

[Crossy]

Why do these threads always degenerate into slanging matches? It's not like you can't get a drink if you're that desperate.

 

Let's play nicely people, holidays await.

[oldhippy]

Just now, Crossy said:

 

We loved the Trappist beers when we lived in Tervuren, get 2 "free" glasses with 4 bottles, still have a couple. Although I did drink Stella in Leuven whilst waiting for Wifey shopping in the Asian supermarket.

 

One day, I may find it in my heart to forgive you for drinking Stella in Belgium.

Maybe after lots of Trappists.

 

The only time in my life I ever drank Stella was in Auckland, NZ, but that was only for the facebook pic.

 

[Sydebolle]

14 hours ago, hawker9000 said:

And your point is?   Does one country have to get UN approval or submit to some kind of global referendum or something in order to enact a law banning alcohol sales on its religious days?

 

Amazing the self-centered and boorish attitude among some foreigners posting here that because THEY have to drink it's so wrong for the country in which they're guests to prevent them from legally doing so in bars & restaurants for a day or two.  Again, buy ahead and enjoy it in your hotel room; with your friends even.  Oh wait, no friends, and can't stand your own company?  Yeah, THAT would be the problem...

 

 

Well, I thing this should be left to the individual, if they want to drink or not. It cannot be a strict Buddhist rule, as other, equally Buddhist countries, do not have such rules. 

And yes, if you run a restaurant, like I do for many years, then you care as a good glass of wine can be a very complementing element to dining and I talk of dining European food and not munching fast food or lemon grass soup. 
It affects our sales, the top year had 14 booze free weekends, with local, regional and countrywide elections, Buddhist holidays and the works. And guess what, the Thai customers we serve complain the most - go figure! 

[Sydebolle]

10 hours ago, joeyg said:

Actually Buddha discouraged intoxication.  It's a basic precept.

 

 

Well, in Laos, Cambodia and Burma He must have had a different opinion ......... 

[oldhippy]

5 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Why do these threads always degenerate into slanging matches? It's not like you can't get a drink if you're that desperate.

 

Let's play nicely people, holidays await.

If only the slanging were humorous.

 

[oldhippy]

2 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

 

Well, in Laos, Cambodia and Burma He must have had a different opinion ......... 

Much like that guy - I forget his name now - who turned water into wine, while some of his followers are teatotallers.

 

[oldhippy]

Sydebolle

 

Your name sound scandinavian.

Not Norwegian - they are too stiff.

Not Swedish - they are too pretentious.

Not Finnish - all they do is just sit in the faraway corner of Europe and sometimes fight the russians.

Ahhhhh Danish?

 

To avoid misunderstandings: I love scandinavians - all of them. Travel there every year for 46 years.

Now do not tell me you are Belgian or something.

 

[joeyg]

34 minutes ago, Sydebolle said:

 

Well, in Laos, Cambodia and Burma He must have had a different opinion ......... 

Actually, I'm sure you know that's not true.  Peoples inability to follow doesn't mean that the concepts do not represent a wonderful way to live.  Same kind of goes for the 10 Commandments.

[joeyg]

36 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

If only the slanging were humorous.

 

That seems to be the standard here though, unfortunately.

[joeyg]

1 hour ago, oldhippy said:

I will do double what you asked.

I posted this many times before, you are the first one to ask what I mean.

Congratulations.

And maybe you will care to answer.

 

Most outstanding flaw in western philosophy:

If we create the ideal society, everybody will automatically be happy.

"Some" difference of opinion of course, as to what the ideal society looks like: free market, nationalist, socialist, communist, neo liberal, you name it.

 

Most outstanding flaw in buddhist philosophy:

Never mind the shitty circumstances you have to live in, accept your boss is boss, do not try to improve your material welbeing.

Everybody can find happiness within themselves.

 

When I came to Thailand 10 years ago, I naievely hoped to find a middle way ---- no, a superior way for my last years.

Big mistake.

Easier to find a 16 year old in Europe to discuss these things with, than finding a Thai monk who is intersted.

 

I truly hope you will take my post seriously and I look forward to your reply.

( Before, I tried in the Thai buddhist subforum, I will not waste my time there again).

 

 

 

 

 

 

Haven't thought much about Western philosophy since the early high school days of Emerson and Thorouea Which I found very interesting and set the stage for my "quest." 

 

Your flaws that you pointed out on Buddhist philosophy, honestly I don't understand.

 

"Never mind the shitty circumstances you live in"  Where Is that used as a point of philosophy? Non-attachment is recommended. There is no prohibition to working hard, taking care of your family and trying your best to give back to the community and live a peaceful simple life.

 

"Except your boss your boss" Again I've been at this for a while. There is never any discouragement of trying your best especially if you're in family life. I think the point is to realize when you Cross the line and have to go into a huge over endeavor or dishonest work to improve your situation. No one should ever except abuse.

 

"Do not try to improve your material well-being"  My take away has not been that. Rather it has been to find a balance between my material aspirations and my spiritual aspirations. Realizing of course that all of my material aspirations/accumulations are all Destined to become dust.

 

"Everybody can find happiness within themselves"  It's not that everybody can, perhaps in theory they can. However one has to be happy and satisfied with the self. And the knowledge that external solutions although they may seem like fun at the time Are temporary and an illusion.

 

I have met many Thai monks and also monks in India. I'm thinking right now that it's only been a fraction of 1% that have been sincere and good teachers, and not hypocrites.

 

I always gravitate to the words of Buddha Before I accept someone else's word. And believe me I'm far from an angel but like I said I do try. The fact is I'm torn between being really really good and really really bad.  In most organized religions/faiths The level of hypocrisy is staggering. I specially find here and Asia people have become hyper materialistic.

 

They have drank the Kool-Aid and think that "the grass is definitely greener on the other side."   Of course coming from Stark poverty and ignorance is a strike against anyone who finds themselves in that situation.

 

I coined the expression many years ago, "these days it takes a lot of money to be renounced." 

 

That's the best I've got right now. I do wish everyone would be a little bit nicer to each other here it gets real nasty real fast. Too bad really.

Edited July 6, 2017 by joeyg

[joeyg]

2 hours ago, rkidlad said:

Who said people are drinking too much? What people? Have you never met normal people who enjoy a few drinks at the weekend to relax and unwind from a hard week at work. It's their choice if they want to go out and have a drink. 

 

When you force the bars to close under the guise 'it's good for', it automatically becomes the opposite. Let people decide what's good for them based on real knowledge and not some bogus idea of morals. 

 

Good people do good things. They don't talk about it all the time. 

If you find something good it's natural to want to share it. That does take talking about it. Anyway you're entitled to your opinion and I have a drink from time to time but I have to agree to disagree with your opinion if that's OK with you. Consider this... 

 

[tryasimight]

1 hour ago, oldhippy said:

nah...... I will maybe buy Leo or chang.

And drink my wife's mulberry wine (if she is in a mood to give me some).

Please do not misunderstand "give me some".

 

I am Belgian.

I do not use the expression "beer" lightly.

Our monks do useful things you know.

Particularly the Trappist monks.

 

I hope I did not commit "l m" - lese moderateur with my answer.....555

 

 

I remember my dad telling me about the time he went to a Trappist monastery.

He saw a monk nail up a large sign  announcing " A case of syphilis has been found in the monastery"...as this happened he heard a monk behind him whisper "Praise the Lord!! I'm sick of that bloody Benedictine"

[joeyg]

Just now, tryasimight said:

I remember my dad telling me about the time he went to a Trappist monastery.

He saw a monk nail up a large sign  announcing " A case of syphilis has been found in the monastery"...as this happened he heard a monk behind him whisper "Praise the Lord!! I'm sick of that bloody Benedictine"

Cute... 

[Crossy]

1 minute ago, tryasimight said:

I remember my dad telling me about the time he went to a Trappist monastery.

He saw a monk nail up a large sign  announcing " A case of syphilis has been found in the monastery"...as this happened he heard a monk behind him whisper "Praise the Lord!! I'm sick of that bloody Benedictine"

 

How do I get beer out of my keyboard

[joeyg]

1 minute ago, Crossy said:

 

How do I get beer out of my keyboard

Use one of those little tiny straws they give you with small drinks at 7/11.  Make sure it's unplugged first though...

[rkidlad]

11 minutes ago, joeyg said:

If you find something good it's natural to want to share it. That does take talking about it. Anyway you're entitled to your opinion and I have a drink from time to time but I have to agree to disagree with your opinion if that's OK with you. Consider this... 

 

This isn't about the health implications that alcohol has on your body. If it were, they would ban the sales of cigarettes and petrol (cars emit poisonous fumes), etc, for the weekend. 

 

This is about the regressive mentality that drinking alcohol is immoral. It's very backwards in thinking. The government and sanctimonious sheeple can preach all they want. In a country where corruption is endemic, it's just a show to divert attention away and make some people feel better about themselves. 

 

An alcoholic isn't going to take the weekend off 'cos he was preached to. Even if the alcoholic did, it wouldn't make a scrap of difference to their health because they'll be drinking again come Monday. 

 

Drinking socially and responsibly is fine. There are health benefits into have a nice glass or wine and beer and being able to relax. It releases stress. Responsible drinking is what should be promoted. Not sanctimonious ideas that serve no other purpose other than to remind people who's in charge. 

Edited July 6, 2017 by rkidlad

[joeyg]

I think the point is that in general for the majority of people alcohol consumption does not promote good behavior or good outcomes. Mental health is definitely a factor. Truth is alcohol related motor vehicle accidents are the number one killer of youth.

 

And no one is preaching. Not that I heard anyway.  It is the beginning of Buddhist lent. It's something that should be respected for me anyway.

[rkidlad]

13 minutes ago, joeyg said:

I think the point is that in general for the majority of people alcohol consumption does not promote good behavior or good outcomes. Mental health is definitely a factor. Truth is alcohol related motor vehicle accidents are the number one killer of youth.

 

And no one is preaching. Not that I heard anyway.  It is the beginning of Buddhist lent. It's something that should be respected for me anyway.

People drink and drive. Police are corrupt. If police were less corrupt and did their jobs, there would be fewer deaths on the road from drunk driving. That's moral, saves lives and is pure common sense. Nothing to do with religion. 

 

You said before "If you don't wanna participate, don't". This rule should also apply to people who wanna go out and have a drink this weekend. They don't wanna participate in the lent so they won't. Oh, that's right. They don't have the choice because someone else said they must respect something. How very religious.