OPINION

Council of ghosts

Re: "City dwellers urged to vote on May 22", (BP, May 10).

In just a few days, Bangkok will elect not only a governor but council members. However, I've seen nothing from the authorities or in the media about who the council candidates are -- let alone their visions, achievements and politically affiliations -- or lack thereof. Nor have I seen or heard anything from any council candidate.

Since nobody's interested in the council, let's either reform it to make it meaningful or abolish it and save some money.

Re: "No cup coverage", (PostBag, May 16) and "Mad about rugby", (PostBag, May 14).

While the above letter writers may have a point that the Post's Sports section often doesn't contain much about rugby, I disagree when they maintain it is heavily biased towards American sports.

Whenever I look at the Sports section, it seems to be filled with numerous stories on the English Premier League, and other European-based Football leagues, in addition to those from the Thai league.

I honestly haven't noticed that the Post contains much coverage about American football or baseball.

Re: "In China's Orbit", (Asia Focus, May 9).

The Post has a colourful chart titled, "In China's Orbit" which lists countries that are most influenced by China, on the basis of military, media, foreign policy, academia, politics, economics, tech, society and policing. Accordingly, Thailand ranks #3, after Cambodia and Singapore. Yet, Laos is not mentioned. Laos is practically a province of China. Similarly, Mongolia is not mentioned in that list -- though New Zealand is. Odd.

Re: "Buddhist watchdog", (PostBag, May 14).

Kuldeep Nagi, who appears to know nothing about the practice of Buddhism, writes, "Unless a watchdog is created, the monks and temples will remain rife with sex scandals and corruption".

First we should understand that, as an institution, Sangha has always been rife with its own failures, just as it always will be.

That is the point: how else can one's failings be transcended unless they are first seen and understood to be caused by one's own actions?

Second, a watchdog is unnecessary. Consciousness itself is the ultimate "watchdog". Only regular study and persistent practice of the Dhamma reveals this truth.

Thus the Sangha is both a refuge and inherently imperfect.

I can promise Mr Nagi that no amount of his naive, conventionally wrought advice will change anything about the great tradition of Buddhism.

However if he takes up its practice with heroic seriousness for the rest of his life, he might well be blessed with deeper self-understanding. To be sure, nothing would delight his readers more.

Re: "Turkish delight", (PostBag, May 15).

Sweden and Finland wouldn't have applied for Nato membership if Russia hadn't invaded Ukraine, starting with the annexation of Crimea in 2014. Stopping the war should rest with the Russian Federation.

I don't feel any sense of Nato expansion initiatives, but desperate small countries want to join it to ensure their security and sovereignty. Turkey's objection is just politically motivated.