Buddhism and meditation
If you go more often Thailand go, live there, have a Thai boyfriend or girlfriend, or any other connection with the country, then it is wise to immerse yourself somewhat in the culture and customs of the country.
In short, you could say, you are going to submit to a kind of Thai integration course. For example, if you want to learn more about Buddhism, you can go to the Buddhist Mahachulalongkornrajvidalaya University in Chiang Mai about life in the temple and all other matters related to it. For a number of years, monks there have been providing insight into Buddhism through the so-called 'Monk-Chat Programme'.
At 'The International Meditation Center' (MCU) you can even follow a four-day course where you can get a little taste of the phenomenon of meditation. This course is given every last week of the month. You can find more about this on the site: www.monkchat.net
The Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) is also active in this field and has published an English brochure 'Meditation in Thailand' containing an overview of the places where courses on Buddhism and meditation are also given. Further information you can find out about this on the website www.tatnews.org or a call to 02 250 5500. (from the Netherlands (0066 2250 5500). Let this number transfer you to number 4445. You may feel a different enlightened and happier person after a few days of meditation.
I like to hear it.
spent 10 days in temple Wat Rampung in Chiang Mai 4am on and 10 pm sleep, no more food after 12 noon, rest of the day meditating sitting or walking. Don't talk just meditate. after 4 days you still wonder what you are doing there and after 10 days you don't want to leave and a lot is suddenly much less important than before. I can recommend it to everyone.
Nice idea for an article on this blog: how the majority of Thais really don't understand what Buddhism is all about. Going to the temple 'for good luck' because they want to win the lottery eg.
Beautiful faith. With respect for everything and a very beautiful way of life. Interesting David de Rijke.. wouldn't it be nice if you wrote a piece about it on this blog? Am very curious. Would like to do this myself.
do you know how many buddhists meditate??
Beautiful faith. But is it a belief Friso or just a way of life. I think the latter.
I am expected at a ceremony next week because my foster son is going to spend his period as a monk.
Don't know how to word this. Can you help me with that?
don't quite understand why the Thai boys do this exactly. Do they really want to do this themselves or are they more or less forced?
Always understand that the more boys/men and the longer their period as a monk is, that this brings happiness to the family.
What I was told in any case, that I have to wear special clothing and I have to rent it in Thailand. Hope they have my size.
Henk
Dear Henk, I have experienced the ritual here many times, of cousins, brother-in-law, and soon my stepson, he will be in military service in two months, and must then become a monk from mom and the family, must guarantee him a safe return home .
It has become more of a must through faith, in their opinion it brings happiness and prosperity, and a better reputation for the environment, neighbors and acquaintances.
I myself do not see the point of this, and link this to superstitions that prevail here, I have also not purchased any special clothes for this, my wife lives by the many rules of Buddhism, such as, initiation land, house, etc., does not strike bhuda day left,
I respect every religion, but now enough of all those fictional ideas around it.
respect her doings, and after much discussion, reciprocate.
A year ago I attended such a ceremony of a 16-year-old nephew of my girlfriend.
I haven't actually seen anyone with special clothes, except for that guy.
He sat there all day on a decorated chair and everyone from the family and from the village threw water over his head, I think a kind of cleansing ritual.
The other day with a procession of decorated pick-ups to the temple.
Everyone was dressed in their own way, so I was too.
He was supposed to stay for 3 months, but it turned out to be 6.
I don't know if it differs per region how they do this, my party was in Loei.
I do think he did this voluntarily, otherwise he won't sign for 3 months.
He was promised a 2nd hand moped when he came out again, this must have been a motivation for him.
I have made dozens of friends in Thailand over the past fifteen years. In all that time I have not been able to catch one in a moment of meditation or reflection. I go to church more often than they do to the temple, even though I am an atheist. I once took an annual course on world religions and also took an exam. Some of that has stuck with me so that I can explain to my friends what exactly is the core of the Buddha's teachings and the animistic charade that surrounds it. For most people, it's all about the latter, because the former is too hard, too much work, and so on. Even most of the monks cannot make that separation and if there is one who can and wants to and does so in public, then he will be kicked out by the Sangha, because there is too much money involved in all the beneficial rituals that the Buddha never prescribed, and he would turn in his urn if he knew about it.
AND THAT IS AFTER EXACTLY WHAT I MEAN
@ capitals are not allowed Henk. Would you like to pay attention to that next time?
Not the Nation 😉
http://notthenation.com/2011/03/council-investigates-doomsayer-monk-for-using-non-approved-bullshit/
Moderator: We will place your question as a reader's question.