THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

An antidote for the poisons afflicting Thai Buddhism

An antidote for the poisons afflicting Thai Buddhism

Re: “How we’re mocking Buddhism”, Stoppage Time, January 27.

This column was a gem! The current controversy over the appointment of the Supreme Patriarch is a reminder of how un-Buddhist Thailand can be. Tulsathit Taptim surprised me, though, with his “unworldly” knowledge of what Buddhism should be about – detachment, the middle path and no forcing one’s belief on others. 
Around Thailand, one sees so many fads and superstitions that are wrongly claimed as Buddhist. Common sense tells us otherwise. At the time of Lord Buddha’s final passing, scriptures were rare and likely often disseminated by disciples according to their own agendas. Anticipating that his teachings might be misinterpreted, Lord Buddha directed his followers to “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense”.
Songdej Praditsmanont
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