Buddhism and christianity in thailand?

[trangam]

I love Jesus with all my heart. But I am not sure I feel the same about some of his 'messengers'

[visionchaser45]

Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing

[leprikon]

I am trying to learn more about buddhism in Thailand and I was curious if anyone could point me towards buddhist holy text and also books on buddhism in thailand.

I think many christians have misconceptions about buddhism and vice-versa. I also agree that we cannot classify one's actions as "religious" unless that religion teaches it. Meaning, if you claim to be a follower of a religion and your actions are in opposition to your beliefs, one cannot conlude that your actions are a property of your religion. So holy wars fought in the name of this or that are probably violating the teachings of those respective religions (with the possible exception of the Islamic religion and the teaching of Jihad).

I also find philosophy interesting especially the way each religion deals with common questions. I will also say this, that no matter what religion you are, God cannot originate with you, for if you create and define God, than your creation is not god, you are, but you are only the god of your imagination.

How is philosophy treated in Thailand? Is it like politics in the US where you try not to talk about it because of disagreement, or is it commonly discussed?

[ºÑÇ]

Quote[/b] (leprikon @ May 11 2005,22:23)]I am trying to learn more about buddhism in Thailand and I was curious if anyone could point me towards buddhist holy text and also books on buddhism in thailand.

If you are in Thailand and really interested in learning about buddhism and practicing meditation I can highly recommend the 10-day meditation course they offer at wat suan mokkh. I did this last year and it gave me a whole new understanding about religion in general. I had had a quite negative attitude towards christianity; I am still, theorethically, catholic but since early childhood I have never been able to believe in God. Any God. As a small child, without thinking much about it, I simply didn't like the idea of there being one. What christianity had to offer did not satisfy me. I do not like being told what to believe in. I like to find out for myself. And that was exactly what the monks at suan mokkh asked us to do: To think for ourselves and not take everything they (the monks themselves) tell us as The Truth.
What I learned about buddhism was in some cases according to my own thoughts, in others adding to them and also often causing me to view matters at an hitherto unnoticed angle, making me re-think and re-consider.
It was because I kind of adopted buddhism that my attitude to my original religion, christianity, became so much friendlier. I still do not consider myself a christian, though. I guess this is because you cannot be christian and don't believe in God.