tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post3148277781731911849..comments2023-09-27T15:40:56.529+07:00Comments on Thailand Jumped the Shark: The Nation Gets Buddha on UsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-11845396934946166792009-01-16T10:13:00.000+07:002009-01-16T10:13:00.000+07:00In my opinion the problem of Buddhism as it is pop...In my opinion the problem of Buddhism as it is popularly practised in Thailand is that people hardly care abt the spiritual aspect of religion that much.. They go to temple to make merits for very materialistic/secular purpose e.g to boost their self-image as a 'moral' person, or to 'ensure' that their 'next life' will be full of wealth and success. And of course, institutional Buddhism in Thailand has(always) been used as a tool to maintain status quo and enhance the political legitimacy of the state, and to stifle people's critical thinking.<BR/>Oftentimes, people also tend to talk abt 'moralism' rather than 'morality'-- by moralism I mean simplistic/prescriptive 'moral' rules that intend to maintain social order rather than to encourage intellectual or constructive debate or exploration of spirituality.. Yet Thailand has Buddhadasa' teachings which go against mainstream Buddhist beliefs.. Sadly, I don't see many(if none at all) of Buddhadasa's insights and wisdom being incorporated into Thai spiritual, social and political life. Well, some of Buddhadasa's followers like Dr Prawase wasi do try but i think he belongs to a minority..<BR/>I'm Thai.Joyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02713763830539132745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-47849868976003137552009-01-08T03:17:00.000+07:002009-01-08T03:17:00.000+07:00get them, fonzi ! :)no, seriously, Nation is very...get them, fonzi ! :)<BR/><BR/>no, seriously, Nation is very prominent (if not the main) member of that media part mentioned as one of 4 poles in last BP's post about Sri Sao. <BR/>their hypocrisy has no limits ! although their inflammatory demagoguery is so blunt that it sucks big time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-76947661744051274842009-01-05T11:27:00.000+07:002009-01-05T11:27:00.000+07:00the greedy, aggressive and violent senior military...the greedy, aggressive and violent senior military and rich families are happy if the ordinary Thais follow the calm and serene Buddhist precepts and accept whatever the rich care to do to them....<BR/><BR/>will the Nation receive another bonus for assisting the military and rich families?davidb98https://www.blogger.com/profile/13981752112516352320noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-7407469956984560062009-01-05T09:34:00.000+07:002009-01-05T09:34:00.000+07:00"Is this a joke? I love Buddhism as much as the ne...<EM>"Is this a joke? I love Buddhism as much as the next person, but The Nation preaching to the masses a philosophy that it does not subscribe to in practice on any level reeks of sanctimony and hypocrisy. The irony of this editorial will be that this we will get the same lies, double standards and propaganda from Sopon, Tuslie, Thanong, and the Yoonster for many moons to come, which makes the point of this editorial totally meaningless.</EM><BR/><BR/>The answer lies in the text itself though the irony will doubtless not have occurred to the authors who doubtless take themselves completely seriously:<BR/><BR/><EM>"This is [all] rooted in our ignorance."</EM><BR/><BR/>Vince<BR/><BR/>Thailand through the looking-glass<BR/>www.tttlg.wordpress.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com