Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Opening minds with an ancient 'mandala'
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 28/09/2019
» Travelling around Thailand is a good way to learn about local history and culture. The challenge, however, is how to understand the country's ancient past beyond the usual nationalistic fervour.
Sangha crisis won't end with defrockment
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 21/03/2017
» Is it a political exchange? Has the government agreed to abort the legislative effort to regulate monks' money and assets in exchange for the clergy's ruling to disrobe the fugitive Dhammakaya sect leader?
Making Thai Buddhism relevant again
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 01/03/2017
» So the Dhammakaya Temple is a cult. So its leader reportedly claims to be a doomsday saviour who takes rich donors on a tour to heaven to see the Buddha. So it teaches its followers to buy premium spaces in heaven by donating to the temple. So its doctrine on the permanence of self is against Buddhism. So what?
Organic rice a saviour for struggling farmers
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 26/11/2016
» When the government gave rice farmers 13,000 baht per tonne to shore up the all-time-low paddy prices, Boonsong Martthong and hundreds of organic rice farmers in Yasothon province just could not care less.
Military, Sangha share many similarities
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 09/03/2016
» The photo of a serene-looking monk being escorted out of a news conference by a group of police officers for a brief "discussion" was on the front page of most newspapers on Tuesday. Is it an image of religious peace versus state violence? Definitely not.
Clergy must drop its dependence on state
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 24/02/2016
» The Sangha Council and its supporters should realise one thing in their campaign to pressure the government to endorse the supreme patriarch of their choice: They can't have the cake and eat it too.
Supreme Patriarch row won't help clergy
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 06/01/2016
» Amid heated disputes over who will become the new supreme patriarch, one thing is certain: whoever that may be, there is no way he can tackle the ills plaguing monastic society.
Pope sets example for our monks
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 22/10/2014
» I guess I am not the only Buddhist who has tremendous respect and admiration for Pope Francis.
Sangha feudal hierarchy has to go for good
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 30/10/2013
» Before Pope Francis was named head of the Catholic Church, the search for a new pontiff triggered much excitement as well as honest criticism of the church system, and hope for reform.
Nothing new about monks living it up
News, Sanitsuda Ekachai, Published on 19/06/2013
» Monks living in a cocoon of luxury is not news. Just drop by the dwellings of any elders in the clergy to see how they live.