It divided Thai Buddhism and its connection with the State
Every tourist brochure about Thailand shows a temple or a monk with a begging bowl and a text that praises Buddhism as a beautiful and peaceful religion. That may be (or not), but it does not affect how divided Buddhism is in Thailand at the moment. This article describes the different denominations in Thai Buddhism, and their connection with the State.
Frans Amsterdam in Pattaya (part 10): 'The Thai Ten Commandments'
Frans Amsterdam has settled down again in Pattaya and entertains us, until there are no more 'like' ratings, with his experiences in a follow-up story. This time about Cat, who is recuperating at her 'auntie' in Bangkok. Above all, she needs to recover from her failed escapade to Bahrain. To speed up and intensify that process, she will soon go through life as a nun for a period of three days, in a temple.
Politics & Buddhism: Red & Yellow Monks
Today you will read about the polarization that arose within the Sangha around the so-called Red Shirt Movement, that wave of protests caused by the army coup against the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September 2006.
Calendar: October 1 end of Buddhist Lent (Awk Phansa)
October 1, 2020 is the next religious holiday in Thailand. Awk Phansa marks the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent and the traditional end of the rainy season.
Buddha with a swastika
Traveling through Asia, you regularly come across the symbol of the swastika, which immediately reminds you of the Second World War. During that period, the swastika was the symbol of Nazi Germany and its supporters in other countries. I still remember a day trip by train from Hua Lamphong station in Bangkok to Kanchanaburi and over the River Kwai bridge to Nam Tok.
Trees and Buddhism
Chiangmai is very attractive to me and I have been there many times. Not only the place itself but also the surroundings are close to my heart.
Buddhism in Thailand has always interested me. Now I wonder if there are just as many different movements in Buddhism as there are in Christianity (Catholic, Protestant, Reformed, Adventists, etc.). And if so, what are the differences?
Joseph -almost- in the monastery
On vacation, unlike at home, I am a real walker. Armed with my camera, I often stray from the well-known paths and there you often come across the nicest scenes.
The bow cannot always be relaxed (closing)
John Wittenberg gives a number of personal reflections on his journey through Thailand and countries in the region, which have previously appeared in the short story collection 'The Bow Cannot Always Be Relaxed'. What started for John as a flight away from pain and sorrow has grown into a search for meaning. Buddhism turned out to be a passable path. Today part 27 and also the end.
The Bow Can't Always Be Relaxed (Part 26)
John Wittenberg gives a number of personal reflections on his journey through Thailand and countries in the region, which have previously appeared in the short story collection 'The Bow Cannot Always Be Relaxed'. What started for John as a flight away from pain and sorrow has grown into a search for meaning. Buddhism turned out to be a passable path. Today part 26.
The Bow Can't Always Be Relaxed (Part 25)
John Wittenberg gives a number of personal reflections on his journey through Thailand and countries in the region, which have previously appeared in the short story collection 'The Bow Cannot Always Be Relaxed'. What started for John as a flight away from pain and sorrow has grown into a search for meaning. Buddhism turned out to be a passable path. Today part 25.
The Bow Can't Always Be Relaxed (Part 24)
John Wittenberg gives a number of personal reflections on his journey through Thailand and countries in the region, which have previously appeared in the short story collection 'The Bow Cannot Always Be Relaxed'. What started for John as a flight away from pain and sorrow has grown into a search for meaning. Buddhism turned out to be a passable path. Today part 24.
The Bow Can't Always Be Relaxed (Part 23)
John Wittenberg gives a number of personal reflections on his journey through Thailand and countries in the region, which have previously appeared in the short story collection 'The Bow Cannot Always Be Relaxed'. What started for John as a flight away from pain and sorrow has grown into a search for meaning. Buddhism turned out to be a passable path. Today part 23.
The Bow Can't Always Be Relaxed (Part 22)
John Wittenberg gives a number of personal reflections on his journey through Thailand, which have previously appeared in the short story collection 'The Arch Cannot Always Be Relaxed'. What started for John as a flight away from pain and sorrow has grown into a search for meaning. Buddhism turned out to be a passable path. Part 22 today.
The Bow Can't Always Be Relaxed (Part 21)
John Wittenberg gives a number of personal reflections on his journey through Thailand, which have previously appeared in the short story collection 'The Arch Cannot Always Be Relaxed'. What started for John as a flight away from pain and sorrow has grown into a search for meaning. Buddhism turned out to be a passable path. Part 21 today.
The Bow Can't Always Be Relaxed (Part 20)
John Wittenberg gives a number of personal reflections on his journey through Thailand, which have previously appeared in the short story collection 'The Arch Cannot Always Be Relaxed'. What started for John as a flight away from pain and sorrow has grown into a search for meaning. Buddhism turned out to be a passable path. Part 20 today.
The Bow Cannot Always Be Relaxed: The Third Journey (Part 19)
John Wittenberg gives a number of personal reflections on his journey through Thailand that have previously appeared in the collection of short stories 'The Bow Cannot Always Be Relaxed'. What started for John as a flight away from pain and sorrow has grown into a search for meaning. Buddhism turned out to be a passable path. Today part 19