Atheist + Buddhist

[Sten]

I am holidaying in Thailand at the moment with my Thai wife and stepdaughter. My wife and stepdaughter are Buddhist - of course. I say of course because 90+ % of Thais are Buddhist. There are some small areas where Islam prevails and the Christians are trying to recruit but have limited success among mainstream Thais. For the last 2 weeks we have been in a small village in eesaan province in the North East where my wife hails from. Christianity is almost non existent there although an occasional sign nailed to a tree proclaiming "Jesus Christ be way survive sin" (literal translation) or some other profound message can be seen.

- To digress a little an amusing juxtaposition in a Thai/English dictionary: Yesoo (Jesus) and Yet (fuck) are adjacent. This is in Thai script which uses an entirely different alphabet to English. It is interesting also that the Thai language does not have a word for atheist.

I just wanted to say that living with a Thai Buddhist is easy for an atheist like myself, and never have I been subjected to any overtures suggesting I convert. When we were married monks were involved in some sort of pre-marriage event but not in the ceremony itself. Monks are often involved in different events that I observe with interest and never feel, or made to feel, uncomfortable because I do not participate.

At present we are in Chiang Rai where we lived for 3 years before. The Christians are here in force - Mormans too - but are most successful only with the Hill Tribe people who are most vulnerable.

[Strato]

Hi Sten,

Interesting.

On my wall I have an old black-framed picture of plastic figures in relief, I suspect may be Thai. It is the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, or Quan Yin flying through the sky, forward of and above, the green demon god of death and illusion, Mara, clad in silver, silver conical helmet on. He is eternally pursuing her, holding up a silver hatchet, endeavoring to chop her into pieces.

She is 'flesh pink', gold dress, gold bikini top, gold crown, holding out the red jewel of Wisdom, regarding him with detached transcendent gaze. She's young and sexy. He is hideously ugly and dynamic, but a loser.. They are in a flying yoga pose, her arms up, his down.

To me this representational, didactic folk-art is a sort of feminist statement, counsel and encouragement to the women in an agrarian, traditional Buddhist society. I do love it. It's beautifully done, simple and beautiful.

I heard China is going to send a lot of clothing and tool manufacture to Thailand, Vietnam, as China grows more generally affluent.

[Strato]

Given my affection for the quaint Buddhist art piece I described, I will qualify that I see Buddhism as pacifist and resigned, interfused with magical thinking. The cosmic law of karma doctrine is no substitute for rationalist based moral philosophy. Reincarnation, or final dissolution into emptiness, an outcome based on personal karma is predicated on the belief in the non-corporeal soul, which survives one's death. So it's antiquated.

[Sten]

Originally Posted by Strato

Given my affection for the quaint Buddhist art piece I described, I will qualify that I see Buddhism as pacifist and resigned, interfused with magical thinking. The cosmic law of karma doctrine is no substitute for rationalist based moral philosophy. Reincarnation, or final dissolution into emptiness, an outcome based on personal karma is predicated on the belief in the non-corporeal soul, which survives one's death. So it's antiquated.

Yes, well I agree with you absolutely Strato, and could never embrace Buddhism myself.

There are many interesting and admirable aspects of Thai/Buddhist culture however. Although women and men have specific roles the women do not appear to suffer any discrimination from my observations for one.

Possibly illustrating a similar mindset to that which inspired the creation of the art piece you describe, I have noticed a great number of comic book stories showing women to be tall and attractive. The men on the other hand are often shown as diminutive, comical, and sometimes lecherous.

I have bought a number of these comic books to use for translation exercise. I must admit the Thai sense of humor is difficult to fathom at times.

[Plankton]

Buddhist nuns are discriminated against. They must bow to all monks, regardless of status, simply because the monk has a cock.

Fuck that, Buddhism goes in the bin with the rest of them AFAIC.

[Sten]

Originally Posted by Plankton

Buddhist nuns are discriminated against. They must bow to all monks, regardless of status, simply because the monk has a cock.

Fuck that, Buddhism goes in the bin with the rest of them AFAIC.

Oh I agree with you that all religions ideally should finish up in the bin, but the point I am making is that Buddhism should not be a primary target, because it is much easier to live alongside Buddhists than Christians for example.