tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post6552076740724898164..comments2024-03-27T23:37:20.556-07:00Comments on dhamma musings: The Prosperity DhammaShravasti Dhammikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06246408068143301108noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-57005992914763736382008-08-01T05:21:00.000-07:002008-08-01T05:21:00.000-07:00Dear Shravasti DhammikaYes I wholeheartedly agree ...Dear Shravasti Dhammika<BR/><BR/>Yes I wholeheartedly agree with you. It was the fervour that worried me <BR/><BR/>Best regardsAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08656669824602810923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-31038954415534839162008-07-31T21:10:00.000-07:002008-07-31T21:10:00.000-07:00Dear Graham,Sorry for the ‘Robert’ oversight. I s...Dear Graham,<BR/>Sorry for the ‘Robert’ oversight. I stopped being angry years ago, now I’m just sad and a little tired. Not that being angry is such a crime, sometimes its better than looking the other way or just shrugging your sholder. And yes it is true that life is not idyllic but that should not stop us trying to improve things; and sometimes that requires pointing out the problems.Shravasti Dhammikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246408068143301108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-60703435207989532352008-07-31T20:04:00.000-07:002008-07-31T20:04:00.000-07:00I could them your address and you outline the stro...I could them your address and you outline the strong points of Thai Buddhism for them.<BR/><BR/>It for the majority strengthens their sense of community - it works for them maybe not for pure buddhism but for them and yes many use the temple as an escape not only from criminal acts but to place themselves into position of abusive power. Whoever said life was idyllic when humans are involved with ideals'Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08804086282892515824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-83304820006142990492008-07-31T19:54:00.000-07:002008-07-31T19:54:00.000-07:00Who is Robert ? you sound so angry why ?Who is Robert ? you sound so angry why ?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08804086282892515824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-44427400176393742302008-07-31T19:10:00.000-07:002008-07-31T19:10:00.000-07:00Dear Robert,I’m glad that we both agree that the T...Dear Robert,<BR/>I’m glad that we both agree that the Thai interperation of Buddhism is ‘not pure Theravada’, that it is not ‘even in line with the Buddha’s teachings’, that the concept of merit is ‘abused’ and that consequently that Thai society manifests ‘many wrongs.’ It was exactly these points I wished to make. Interviewing the senior Malaysian monk Ven. K. Sri Dhammananda some years back I asked him what he thought the biggest hurdle to the spread of Buddhism in Malaysia was and without hesitation he replied, ‘The Thai monks.’ He went on to describe the appalling impression they give of Buddhism to Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike with their black magic, money-making racket, amulet hawking, ‘four-faced Buddhas’ tattooing and other behaviour that I need not list here. He told me that a long polite letter to the Thai ambassador in Malaysia about this problem and a request to somehow rein in the monks had, predictably, gone unanswered. A double page ‘expose’ in the Straights Times some months back highlighted the doings of Thai monks in Gelang, Singapore’s red light district. Numerous people, many of them newcomers to the Dhamma, their faith shaken, asked me to explain how such things could happen. What could I say? Perhaps Robert, I could them your address and you outline the strong points of Thai Buddhism for them.Shravasti Dhammikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246408068143301108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-50848647291186698642008-07-31T17:56:00.000-07:002008-07-31T17:56:00.000-07:00I am not a learned Buddhist and fall far short of ...I am not a learned Buddhist and fall far short of the precepts but I am concerned about your slant on 'merit' and Thailand in general . <BR/>We all acknowledge that Buddhism has over the years been adapted to various cultures and ways of life be it Mahayana or Theravada. In Thailand that so is the case and as you know for the absolute majority Buddhism is 'in the blood' owned from birth. Merit (or there form of it) gives the Thai and holds them to a sense of goodness, Yes - it is both in the minority abused and fortunately for the majority used for the good of the family, community and others, more so for the general good of all.<BR/><BR/>I agree that it is not pure theravada or even in line with the Buddha's teachings but gaining merit in Thai culture surely has to be understood, seen viewed on its merit.<BR/>I am English and lived in Thailand for 17 years taking a deep daily interest in the culture and rights and wrongs in that society I concluded that in most areas it worked as well as many other country better than most. <BR/>Overall I thought that how the article was written was acceptable on a learning level but detrimental towards Thai culture in general, which may have many wrongs which I personally feel are by far outnumbered by its rights.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08656669824602810923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-50894432890738265862008-07-29T01:08:00.000-07:002008-07-29T01:08:00.000-07:00Dear Leejean,I did of course mean 'conscientiously...Dear Leejean,<BR/>I did of course mean 'conscientiously.' Thanks for being so conscientious.Shravasti Dhammikahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06246408068143301108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-31322674024676240072008-07-28T23:51:00.000-07:002008-07-28T23:51:00.000-07:00Bhante,I am sure you know too well why there is no...Bhante,<BR/><BR/>I am sure you know too well why there is no "critical analysis". The Buddhist community is as thick as a coconut. Any lay person (like me) will not be able to talk sense into them, like what you wrote. The monks are always the authoritative source. We are all there just to listen to them, rightly or wrongly. That's why I seldom go to temple to listen to stereotyped "discources". <BR/><BR/>It takes you Bhante, to have the lberty and status to make them listen, and hopefully take heed. I am also very sure that you are aware that we Asians have been psychologically indoctrinated that "Mat Sallehs" (Caucasians) are more knowledgeable and respectable. In a way it's quite true, for we usually see the more brilliant Caucasians taking up high positions in Asian countries. We never see those lowly drunkards and vagabonds in the dark streets of London and New York. <BR/><BR/>So, Bhante, you have all the resources under your control to put right what is wrong with the Buddhist community!Justin Choohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11275697990382930245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012277645322483593.post-84205831542971391352008-07-28T19:42:00.000-07:002008-07-28T19:42:00.000-07:00Did you really tell the young man to do his work c...Did you really tell the young man to do his work contentiously? <BR/><BR/>Surely you mean to do his work conscientiously...<BR/><BR/>;_)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com