Dhamma Wheel Buddhist Forum

Witness the spread of capitalism.

"...the local Buddhist monk has gone from being a moral authority, teacher and community leader fulfilling important spiritual and secular roles to someone whose job is often limited to presiding over periodic ceremonies."

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/19/world ... .html?_r=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

“Consumerism is now the Thai religion,” said Phra Paisan Visalo, one of the country’s most respected monks. “In the past, people went to temple on every holy day. Now, they go to shopping malls.”

It is largely true as reported in the article. Many monasteries especially in the North of Thailand do not have a resident monk and sometimes have to invite monks just for the Rains Retreat from another province.

There are different ways that the current crisis can be solved, as proposed by Ven. Anil Sakya ("fast-food Buddhism") or Ven. Paisan Visalo ("return to nature and simplicity").

Perhaps centers like this -- an oasis of spirituality and peace in the middle of Bangkok -- are an answer to the problem:


A Taste of Buddhism

Published on December 6th, 2012 | by Bangkok 101

On the edge of Chatuchak Park sits a state-of-the-art Buddhist centre filled with religious writings, talks, meditation classes and followers. Elizabeth Preger goes in search of enlightenment.

...

The Buddhadasa Indapanno Archives (BIA)

Vachirabenjatas Park (Suan Rot Fai), Nikom Rot Fai Sai 2 Rd | BTS Mo Chit/MRT Chatuchak Park | 02-936-2800 | on the first Sunday of each month between 9:30-11:30am | http://www.bia.or.th" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.facebook.com/buddhadasaarchives" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; | 9am-6pm


http://www.bangkok101.com/2012/12/06/a- ... n-rot-fai/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/19/world ... .html?_r=0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

NY Times wrote:Scandals surrounding some monks have contributed to the decline. Social media has helped spread videos of monks partying in monasteries, imbibing alcohol, watching pornographic videos and cavorting with women and men, all forbidden activities. There have also been controversies involving allegations of embezzlement of donations at temples.

My hope would be that although the number of monks might be declining, the quality would be better. I think it would be better to have a small number of very good monks who practice, teach, have good sila, provide a good example; rather than large numbers but of poor quality.

Maybe its time for a reform movement in Thailand similar to the mass meditation movement that arose out of Burma following British occupation.

See here

plwk wrote:See here

Thanks. I thought there was something familiar about that article. I'll merge them.

Like any social dynamic this one is more nuanced than simple materialism as culprit. Many younger Thais are discouraged with the superficial piety of monks who outside of ritual duties live just as they do … what to say of the saṅgha scandals that surface in the news from time to time.

Many younger Thais are discouraged with the superficial piety of monks who outside of ritual duties live just as they do … what to say of the saṅgha scandals that surface in the news from time to time.

Rubbish...

Welp, we all know the old saying, "nothing lasts forever."

Edit: And I agree with David. Sounds good to me.

appicchato wrote:

Many younger Thais are discouraged with the superficial piety of monks who outside of ritual duties live just as they do … what to say of the saṅgha scandals that surface in the news from time to time.

Rubbish...

It might be rubbish, even balderdash, but I think AB's comment deserves a bit more respect and maybe a bit more of a comment than that, and I say that because you probably have better first hand insight into some of these things than most of us here, and it would be to our benifit if you would be kind enough to share your take on this, if you please.

appicchato wrote:

Many younger Thais are discouraged with the superficial piety of monks who outside of ritual duties live just as they do … what to say of the saṅgha scandals that surface in the news from time to time.

Rubbish...

Not sure what the context is for this reply. Although I suppose I can understand that the Thai religious, like mainstream Christians in the West, would find a more dignified fault for religious apathy to be found in 'consumerism' than in shortcomings of their religious institutions.

appicchato wrote:Tis true, while many young Thais are discouraged, there are myriad reasons why...superficial piety of monks isn't one of them...and monks most definitely do not 'live as they do'...

I can only go by the candid remarks I hear, and from what I experience. Although this is by no means equivalent to a proper study of the mater, neither was the article which I think glosses the issue.

appicchato wrote:And what to say of Sangha scandals that surface in the news?...A. They're (monks) human, and B. They (monks) number in the hundreds of thousands... comparatively (with other 'religions') speaking, the number, and severity of offenses, pales...

There are good monks. And there are problems, some significant. When these are mishandled or covered-up, an institution that once prided itself on discipline looses credibility. I have lived in wats and vihāras East & West where gross misdeeds and corruption has been covered up. I know this is my opinion, but it isn’t just my opinion.

The video for the article:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67jYg-TrCik" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;