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Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Tue Jun 18, 2013 3:02 pm
by plwk
Image

The National Office of Buddhism insists monks boarding a private jet, wearing sunglasses and using luxury items is not a serious breach of monastic rules, but it is inappropriate.
Read more here

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Fri Jun 28, 2013 3:15 pm
by daimond
well, this nothing you would read latter in new like "time magazine" a bhikku carry a gun.

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:31 am
by manas
Would it be safe to regard the prohibition against riding in a chariot (and thus an aeroplane which is even more opulent) as a 'minor rule' which, while appropriate for the Buddha's time, can now be dispensed with (and is regularly dispensed with by even very strict monks, for the purposes of preaching the Dhamma)?

Having said that, a private jet seems to be unnecessary when there are plenty of public ones available. It doesn't create a good impression, seeing that picture. Maybe the rule needs some refashioning for the 21st Century, along the lines of, 'A Bhikkhu should choose, when possible, a less expensive mode of transportation, if such an option exists; and such travel in a vehicle should have a purpose that is in accord with the Dhamma' (so not only preaching, but visiting a sick parent who is overseas would be in line with Dhamma, one would think). :?:

:anjali:

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 1:51 am
by BlackBird
A picture speaks a thousand words.

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 4:05 am
by Ben
Yes, Jack, a picture can speak a thousand words.
Hence, it is important to treat any photograph removed from important contexts with due caution.
kind regards,

Ben

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 5:16 am
by BlackBird
Ben wrote:Yes, Jack, a picture can speak a thousand words.
Hence, it is important to treat any photograph removed from important contexts with due caution.
kind regards,

Ben
Hi Ben

What contexts can you imagine that could vindicate monks who are flying in a private jet sporting luxury sunglasses, with headphones on? I cannot imagine one. It's one of those cut and dry situations in my mind. But then my mind is far from perfect.

I mean no disrespect, but I don't think there's any need to be cautious in saying that the Buddha would have categorically condemned such luxury for his Bhikkhus. It's a sad state of affairs, but something that is becoming more and more common, and I think it's very wholesome that this picture has sparked a serious debate in Thailand about what is acceptable conduct from monks. The laity have since the Buddha's time acted as a safety valve in holding monks actions to account, indeed many of the vinaya laws were formulated because the laity complained to the Buddha about certain Bhikkhu's behaviour. I believe that it is for the good of the sasana as a whole that such debates occur and that where monks have acted in ways that run against the Buddha's teachings, that they should be condemned for such actions.

That's just how I feel about it anyway.

with metta
Jack

P.S.

Here's the video that the picture comes from, perhaps it can provide more context.

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 5:23 am
by Dan74
To me these monks and the story look pretty suss, but I am not sure about the emphasis on all the corruption here lately. I hope it goes somewhere constructive, because otherwise it's just negativity that fosters corrosive doubt and undermines dedication to practice.

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:20 am
by binocular
Dan74 wrote:but I am not sure about the emphasis on all the corruption here lately.
Ah, that's just an expression of the critic's obvious superiority. :pig:

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Mon Jul 01, 2013 10:24 am
by binocular
plwk wrote:Image
Next time, someone needs to make a video, one in slo-mo, where the monks walk slowly and dramatically toward the camera, while behind them, there are fires and general havoc. The monks in the pciture above already have the appropriate look on the face, now they only need to get their bodies in sync with the whole drama of the scene.

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 9:53 am
by nekete
Different ways of travelling.

Image

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 11:13 am
by tiltbillings
I would guess that these a couple of rich guys who are doing a temporary ordination for merit, probably for a parent or some such thing.

When I was in Bangkok in the mid 70's there was a police official who was doing a temporary ordination for merit for his mother. While he was at the vihara he had a collection of porn so that he could have a stiffy every day, as everyone knows if you do not have a stiffy everyday one looses the ability to have a stiffy.

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 11:20 am
by Ben
tiltbillings wrote:as everyone knows if you do not have a stiffy everyday one looses the ability to have a stiffy.
Really? I never heard of that before.

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 11:20 am
by Mr Man
And how about contrived shots of monks meditating in the wilderness or at places of outstanding beauty or attending conferences or touring the pilgrimage sites (or tourist sites). What do we all feel is acceptable?

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 11:31 am
by nekete
What does 'stiffy' mean? I have try to translate it with google translator but there is no translation. Is it a slang word?

Re: Monks in private jets pass test

Posted: Tue Jul 02, 2013 11:38 am
by tiltbillings
nekete wrote:What does 'stiffy' mean? I have try to translate it with google translator but there is no translation. Is it a slang word?
Erection of the male member. I am so tempted to run through a list of other slang words, but I'll restrain myself, since I would not want offend anyone's delicate sensibilities.