mr_wayne Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 The ultimate truth and the teaching and principles of this truth...I believe that if we apply ourselves to Buddha,s teachings,then peace and happiness will arise in our lives...i go to a local temple here in Australia and its good because the monks speak Thai and English....i feel that if i go to a temple with a Thai friend,people think im just another tourist and think i dont understand so i prefer to go alone.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English_Bob Posted May 8, 2009 Report Share Posted May 8, 2009 The ultimate truth and the teaching and principles of this truth...I believe that if we apply ourselves to Buddha,s teachings,then peace and happiness will arise in our lives...i go to a local temple here in Australia and its good because the monks speak Thai and English....i feel that if i go to a temple with a Thai friend,people think im just another tourist and think i dont understand so i prefer to go alone.... If you go to the temple for ultimate truth, peace and happiness, why do you care if people think you are a tourist and don't understand? I find that most people don't think about you. They live in their own life and don't spare you a second thought. Maybe you will find more happiness if you stop thinking everyone is watching you and making false assumptions (which don't harm you anyway).... just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_wayne Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 The ultimate truth and the teaching and principles of this truth...I believe that if we apply ourselves to Buddha,s teachings,then peace and happiness will arise in our lives...i go to a local temple here in Australia and its good because the monks speak Thai and English....i feel that if i go to a temple with a Thai friend,people think im just another tourist and think i dont understand so i prefer to go alone.... If you go to the temple for ultimate truth, peace and happiness, why do you care if people think you are a tourist and don't understand? I find that most people don't think about you. They live in their own life and don't spare you a second thought. Maybe you will find more happiness if you stop thinking everyone is watching you and making false assumptions (which don't harm you anyway).... just a thought. ....i understand what you are saying and i agree..i dont care what everyone else thinks...i think tourists with there Thai girl chaperone look funny and are treated differently(some times) so i prefer to go KUN DIO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Moobs Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 I see no problem with it. Questions like these make me laugh. Thailand has no monopoly on Buddhism. Yes, it's a Buddhist Country for the most part. But Buddhism is a Global religion now. It's always been a regional religion having traveled to the Kingdom from further east. Do Thai people ask these questions of themselves when they go to India or Japan? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beej Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 The ultimate truth and the teaching and principles of this truth...I believe that if we apply ourselves to Buddha,s teachings,then peace and happiness will arise in our lives...i go to a local temple here in Australia and its good because the monks speak Thai and English....i feel that if i go to a temple with a Thai friend,people think im just another tourist and think i dont understand so i prefer to go alone.... If you go to the temple for ultimate truth, peace and happiness, why do you care if people think you are a tourist and don't understand? I find that most people don't think about you. They live in their own life and don't spare you a second thought. Maybe you will find more happiness if you stop thinking everyone is watching you and making false assumptions (which don't harm you anyway).... just a thought. ....i understand what you are saying and i agree..i dont care what everyone else thinks...i think tourists with there Thai girl chaperone look funny and are treated differently(some times) so i prefer to go KUN DIO. In there lies the problem, you ARE treated differently and looked upon with some level of disdain..... does this not prove that these temples are not REAL sanctuaries of perfect Buddhist principles and just glitzy gold fanfares wanting to build bigger higher golder temples with thicker softer redder carpets with more wealth? In all of the countries I've traveled to I'm yet to find a truly Buddhist temple with no level of greed or judgment, from Tibet, Nepal, India, Japan, China, Taiwan, Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Indo, Vietnam, to harbor the thought that you'll find REAL Buddhist values within a Bangkok temple is much like thinking you're going to find a REAL Thai girl in NANA Plaza! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Moobs Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 Buddhism is exactly like Christianity and Islam in that you aren't going to find a perfect example of those religions in a building or in a group. You'll find great examples of these religions in individuals. You'll find excellent Christian, Muslim and Buddhist individuals. You will never find a perfect mob of any group of people. I'm always a bit surprised when you (beej) criticize a religious group as you give the Muzzies a blank pass so often or you seem to do so at any rate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beej Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 I'm always a bit surprised when you (beej) criticize a religious group as you give the Muzzies a blank pass so often or you seem to do so at any rate. Maybe its your Muzzie blinkers you've got on again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Moobs Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 perhaps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Moobs Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 I've never seen you criticize the Muzzies. And you dig in with zeal on so many others... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beej Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 I've never seen you criticize the Muzzies. And you dig in with zeal on so many others... That'll be your blinkers, I've criticized them enough over the years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Moobs Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 just not recently and on TF where I could have possibly seen it...lol admit it you're a Muzie lover lol There are some folks down in Qandahar who'd love to make yer acquaintance. lol I'm joking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beej Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 You back in the desert then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister Moobs Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 yep... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beej Posted May 10, 2009 Report Share Posted May 10, 2009 MUGHAHAHAAAHAHHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drlovelife8 Posted May 22, 2009 Report Share Posted May 22, 2009 No...I don't participate, because I don't really believe. It seems hypocritical to perform a ritual that has no meaning (for me). BTW It's the same for Buddism, Judaism, Islam and Christianity - I don't pray, syng hymns or join in any ceremonies. During religious funerals and weddings, I bow my head and keep quiet during the prayers, but I'm usually thinking about something else. AMEN and JIHAD to that. I didn't prey 5 times a day when I was in Saudi as it would have meant **** all to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LasseDK Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 I would do it. Im not happy about religion in general, i wouldnt do it in the christian. islamic, jewish world (here i would feel like english_bob, that it doesnt matter to me). But for me buddishm is much more of a philosophy, and a good one, i cannot see anything wrong with buddishm as i know it, and i like the overall message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotsnowman Posted May 29, 2009 Report Share Posted May 29, 2009 No I would not as I am not buddhist. But I would observe if my friend would partake in such activities. I consider it intellectual and/or spiritual dishonesty if one participates in something he or she does not believe in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Philippakwan Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 I am glad I have looked through the forums and found this one. I am a Born Again Christian, was thinking about trying to be a Born Again Virgin but that is another story. One thing that has been helping me with my severe depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder( so now you know I am crazy) is listening to Buddhist Podcast and actiually I have read a book the whole way through first time in many years, written by a Monk here in Pert Western Australia who studied under Ajahn Chah , which many Thai people know of. My church has told me that going to the temple is bad and they also said that Thailand is full of sin so I should not go there but hey stay in Perth and serve the church and by the way give us the money you got from ypur divorce. Has any farang actually really studied buddhism while in Thailand? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancoisP Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 Budhism is a philosophy, not a religion... The problem is that many people handle it like a religion... and that "business" budhism seems to please many people... Some temples seems more money collecting minded than meditation minded. This did upset me sometimes in thailand... Budhism is not balancing the body with incense sticks in the hands in front of many people. Budhism is not a "how to reach eternal life" cooking handbook... It is meditating discretely in a quiet place, not in front of everybody! This is not a show, this is just personal inside growing... Anyway, everybody is free to procede how he/she likes in the life! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandorea Posted March 14, 2010 Report Share Posted March 14, 2010 Budhism is a philosophy, not a religion...The problem is that many people handle it like a religion... and that "business" budhism seems to please many people... Some temples seems more money collecting minded than meditation minded. This did upset me sometimes in thailand... Budhism is not balancing the body with incense sticks in the hands in front of many people. Budhism is not a "how to reach eternal life" cooking handbook... It is meditating discretely in a quiet place, not in front of everybody! This is not a show, this is just personal inside growing... Anyway, everybody is free to procede how he/she likes in the life! Few questions here : what is religion? Can you please define it? and why Budhism isn't a religion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 The ultimate truth and the teaching and principles of this truth...I believe that if we apply ourselves to Buddha,s teachings,then peace and happiness will arise in our lives...i go to a local temple here in Australia and its good because the monks speak Thai and English....i feel that if i go to a temple with a Thai friend,people think im just another tourist and think i dont understand so i prefer to go alone.... If you go to the temple for ultimate truth, peace and happiness, why do you care if people think you are a tourist and don't understand? I find that most people don't think about you. They live in their own life and don't spare you a second thought. Maybe you will find more happiness if you stop thinking everyone is watching you and making false assumptions (which don't harm you anyway).... just a thought. ....i understand what you are saying and i agree..i dont care what everyone else thinks...i think tourists with there Thai girl chaperone look funny and are treated differently(some times) so i prefer to go KUN DIO. You obviously do care what everyone else thinks because you look down on farangs with their Thai escorts. That in itself proves you are conscious of what people think and you choose to go alone so you can feel superior to those other farangs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 Budhism is a philosophy, not a religion...The problem is that many people handle it like a religion... and that "business" budhism seems to please many people... Some temples seems more money collecting minded than meditation minded. This did upset me sometimes in thailand... Budhism is not balancing the body with incense sticks in the hands in front of many people. Budhism is not a "how to reach eternal life" cooking handbook... It is meditating discretely in a quiet place, not in front of everybody! This is not a show, this is just personal inside growing... Anyway, everybody is free to procede how he/she likes in the life! Few questions here : what is religion? Can you please define it? and why Budhism isn't a religion? I'll take a stab at this but others probably have more insight than I do. Technically, a religion has a god. Since Buddha is not a god then his teachings are more like a philosophy to follow rather than rules that have to be followed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Philippakwan Posted March 15, 2010 Report Share Posted March 15, 2010 @Admin, here in some parts of the farang culture Buddhism is put into the collective religion basket with the RC's, Islam, etc out of people's non understanding of what Buddhism is actually, that is my take from the short study I have done so far. My shrink at the clinic a devote Baptist, said to me that Christians tell you what will haapen when you die and that buddhism gives your tools to have your life, if that makes sense and it does make sense to me. I see Buddhism for my mental health more not about worshiping a god and throwing money at it, so the Pastor's can go to all parts of the world in the name of spreading the word but Buddhism giving instructions of how we could lead better lives and through meditation learn to relax more in our lives. Did not want to open the Can of Worms but any time religion is raised that is what happens and I will be asking more questions as i go along. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrancoisP Posted March 16, 2010 Report Share Posted March 16, 2010 Budhism is a philosophy, not a religion...The problem is that many people handle it like a religion... and that "business" budhism seems to please many people... Some temples seems more money collecting minded than meditation minded. This did upset me sometimes in thailand... Budhism is not balancing the body with incense sticks in the hands in front of many people. Budhism is not a "how to reach eternal life" cooking handbook... It is meditating discretely in a quiet place, not in front of everybody! This is not a show, this is just personal inside growing... Anyway, everybody is free to procede how he/she likes in the life! Few questions here : what is religion? Can you please define it? and why Budhism isn't a religion? Good question = A religion use a god, living eternally, as a model or a "super power", usually to allow you eternal life after the dead if you full up the good lessons... Most religion are also exclusives regarding the other ones... Budhism is promoting one man's philosophy. That man is dead, but his message is considered as one good way to reach high conscious levels. You can be Christian, or muslim and practice Budhism to meditate and reach high conscious levels... You also can be "agnostic" and practice Budhism. Hope i answer the question. Francois Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Philippakwan Posted March 17, 2010 Report Share Posted March 17, 2010 Good question = A religion use a god, living eternally, as a model or a "super power", usually to allow you eternal life after the dead if you full up the good lessons... Most religion are also exclusives regarding the other ones... Budhism is promoting one man's philosophy. That man is dead, but his message is considered as one good way to reach high conscious levels. You can be Christian, or muslim and practice Budhism to meditate and reach high conscious levels... You also can be "agnostic" and practice Budhism. Hope i answer the question. Francois thanks Francois, your answer has helped me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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