The pope is offering indulgences for following his speech on twitter, does that make catholicism a cult, seems one of the main reasons these folk are being called a cult is because some of their beliefs and meditation practices differ from "standard" Therevada" this same logic would instantly label Mahayana, and even all other religions a cult. Do people coming out of Dhammakaya label it a cult, or is it people that have never attended a dhammakaya temple calling it a cult, its quite one thing to disagree with an order, even label it heretical, but calling it a cult needs some serious evidence, and I've heard a lot of stories about actual cults, and I'm not hearing those same stories here, not to say it isn't a cult, I'm just not hearing enough evidence.
18 years ago I made one of the most important decisions of my life and entered a local Cambodian Buddhist Temple as a temple boy and, for only 3 weeks, an actual Therevada Buddhist monk. I am not a scholar, great meditator, or authority on Buddhism, but Buddhism is something I love from the Bottom of my heart. It has taught me sobriety, morality, peace, and very importantly that my suffering is optional, and doesn't have to run my life. I hope to give back what little I can to the Buddhist community, sincerely former monk John
An ex friend of mine, very poor friend, not entirely honest claimed on facebook he scored Ecstasy for Steve Jobs and Steve Jobs provided the cocaine, somehow I don't think this Jobs guy is an angel, his business practices certainly involved breaking the 2nd and 5th precepts IMHO
18 years ago I made one of the most important decisions of my life and entered a local Cambodian Buddhist Temple as a temple boy and, for only 3 weeks, an actual Therevada Buddhist monk. I am not a scholar, great meditator, or authority on Buddhism, but Buddhism is something I love from the Bottom of my heart. It has taught me sobriety, morality, peace, and very importantly that my suffering is optional, and doesn't have to run my life. I hope to give back what little I can to the Buddhist community, sincerely former monk John
One of the factors that the article mentions is violence and abuse. For those who believe that there is no abuse on Dhammakaya, just watch how they do a kind of initiation ceremony of returning a child from the death to be reborn on the superior realm of DMC:
lyndon taylor wrote:Do people coming out of Dhammakaya label it a cult, or is it people that have never attended a dhammakaya temple calling it a cult, its quite one thing to disagree with an order, even label it heretical, but calling it a cult needs some serious evidence, and I've heard a lot of stories about actual cults, and I'm not hearing those same stories here, not to say it isn't a cult, I'm just not hearing enough evidence.
Actually, I do know someone who left (by a enormous dose of good kamma). She then read up a lot about cults and is certain that Dhammakaya is one. When I asked if I can share the info with others, she's quite concern. I asked, "What's the worse that can happen?" She said, "Have you met fanatics?" OK.... So, I'm sorry I can't tell you more.
New Buddhist Movements In Thailand: Towards an Understanding of Wat Phra Dhammakāya and Santi Asoke, by Rory Mackenzie
NEW BUDDHIST MOVEMENTS IN THAILAND
This book examines two new Buddhist movements in Thailand, namely the Wat Phra Dhammakāya and Santi Asoke. These movements represent two distinctive trends within contemporary Buddhism in Thailand. Vastly different in belief and practice, they emerged in Thailand in the 1970s at a time of political uncertainty, social change and increasing dissatisfaction with the Thai Saṅgha and its leadership.
Rory Mackenzie explains why these movements have come into being, what they have reacted against and what they offer to their members. The Wat Phra Dhammakāya tradition views itself as a large, modern movement structured for growth, convenience and efficiency. It has spread to eleven different countries and Westerners are increasingly being attracted to the movement through the practice of Dhammakāya meditation. The author argues that there is some justification in describing this highly progressive movement as fundamentalist and millenarian due to their strong focus on meditation, and the belief that some members have in their leader a saviour figure. Santi Asoke members view the communities in which they live as places where they experience justice and support for living morally upright lives. They also view their communities as a locus for their liberation from suffering. The author suggests that Santi Asoke may best be described as an ascetic/prophetic, utopian movement with legalistic tendencies.
This book should appeal to those interested in Buddhism’s confrontation with modernity, and its responses to evolving social issues in Thailand, as well as to those interested in new religions in the broader context of religious studies.
Rory Mackenzie teaches Buddhism and Practical Theology at the International Christian College, Glasgow. He has lived in Thailand for eleven years, is involved in the Thai community in Edinburgh and makes regular visits back to Thailand.
A .pdf can be found in the Indigenous Buddhism section in the Library.
“I say, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes.” – Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854
Secure your own mask before assisting others. – NORTHWEST AIRLINES (Pre-Flight Instruction)
Dhammakaya is extremely powerful. Very well positioned inside some factions of the Thai government, the police, the army, businessmen, and supported by very powerful people like the exiled PM Thaksin Shinawatra.
this is dangerous and certainly not for the well being of many
Get the wanting out of waiting
What does womanhood matter at all, when the mind is concentrated well, when knowledge flows on steadily as one sees correctly into Dhamma. One to whom it might occur, ‘I am a woman’ or ‘I am a man’ or ‘I’m anything at all’ is fit for Mara to address. – SN 5.2
If they take what's yours, tell yourself that you're making it a gift.
Otherwise there will be no end to the animosity. - Ajahn Fuang Jotiko
Kumara wrote:Essentially, its becoming the Thai/Buddhist equivalent of Scientology.
Correction: A closer equivalent is Unification Church or Unificationism, a new religious movement founded in South Korea by Sun Myung Moon. (It's also known as The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, also known as the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification.)
It's not so strong now, as many people have left and began to expose it, notably Steven Hassan who became a counselor specialized in cults. If you like to help someone who's in a cult, consider getting his book: Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs (Published 2012) http://freedomofmind.com/Media/bookFreedom.php
Kumara wrote: If you like to help someone who's in a cult, consider getting his book: Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults and Beliefs (Published 2012) http://freedomofmind.com/Media/bookFreedom.php
Problem for me is that it is most likely only available in the English language. I would need one in Thai language!