OPINION

Unseen Buddhists

Re: "Selling Buddhism", PostBag, Dec 24.

I think Kuldeep Nagi was both incorrect and unfair when he criticised me for not "realising" that Thailand has nothing to do with Buddha's teachings. Since Buddhism is Thailand's national religion, how is it that the country has nothing to do with Buddha's teachings?

Khun Kuldeep should know that even in areas deep in alleyways off busy Bangkok streets there are people living a quiet and contented life free from most of the influences of the outside world.

Most of these people go to bed as early as nine o'clock in the evening, and wake up at four or five in the morning. They have lived their lives in a frugal and religious manner for generations.

A writer (Dec 24) mentioned "blind faith" and "senseless rituals" in relation to Thai Buddhism. A good description, I think, for the workings of many other "institutions".

It seems to be a constant in human mass psychology. It always kicks in when thinking is replaced by following. And it always ends with prosecution of non-followers.

Diversity and creativity are turned into bleak uniformity. What a sad world. We could do so much better.

Kuldeep Nagi paints a rather bleak and one-sided picture of Buddhism in Thailand. Despite all the tawdry news and grinding corruption constantly gnawing on the spiritual heart of Buddhism there remains a robust and resilient core of real practitioners in this country.

Especially in the forest tradition in rural settings, the authentic and profound teaching and teachers of Theravada Buddhism may still be found. I would urge Mr Nagi and anyone interested in taking up the real study and practice of Buddhism to dig a little deeper into the rich treasure that is Thai Buddhism.

Having given the subject serious thought I have decided the founder of Dhammakaya temple was on to a sure-fire winner in present day Thailand.

With corruption endemic and a large number of politicians, police and government servants earning money from dubious sources that they cannot admit to, there is a large number of "important" people who are in dire need of a way to gain elevation in their next life after being so immoral in this one as to be doomed in normal Buddhist terms.

Dhammakaya is just perfect for individuals in this situation because with a small fraction of their vast wealth they can purchase a lofty position in the next life despite the bad effects their current life should earn them. Its a great way to win from doing evil. Very handy.

Theodore Soderberg in his Dec 25 letter "Hope, change and farce" writes that US President Obama "nearly destroyed America".

With the stock market going through the ceiling (it nearly crashed when George W Bush was president) unemployment below 5% and the country now experiencing significant economic growth, how has America been "nearly destroyed"?

It seems Postbag has given a licence to right-wing people who only want to disrespect the president of the United States without providing a fact or shred of evidence that Mr Obama did not perform well.

Thailand is no stranger to the persecution of minorities. The government of every country on earth has been guilty of this at one time or another.

As Myanmar persecutes minorities, they are forcing them to join forces, which makes one think the Myanmar government wants a civil war. Perhaps Thailand should consider Myanmar as a mirror: should internet defenders be punished or deified?

The difficulty with the second law is there are plenty more young folk who know how to hack the system -- and some of them are out of reach.