[Buddha-l] Dawkins: The God Delusion

[jkirk]

Hello Tyler,

Most illuminating re contemporary Thai religious/irreligious culture. I suspect that the characteristics you describe are probably more typical of the richer middle and wealthy upper classes than of the lower-down-the totem pole classes. But the former segment are what is driving the economic "development" over there. I never lived in Thailand, but have been there a few times, and what I saw causes me to agree with your point. 
The famous monk Buddhadasa was very critical of Thai social culture during his time, especially the idea of making merit so as to be reborn materially rich; for that he was labeled a commie by some critics.

However, let us not overlook the following: the congratulatory ambiance of your fiancée's co-worker's announcement can equally be found in the good ol' USA within a business and "celebrity" world that disses mature-looking women and advances (by various means) the young, pretty, and glam women. Same syndrome exactly, religion or no religion.

Best wishes,
Joanna Kirkpatrick
====================

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tyler Cann 


  Oh, goodness.  The above statement about the Thai caretaker is unfortunate, though not at all unsurprising.  I  live in Thailand, and materialistic interpretations of kamma abound.  Common Thais almost invariably tie material wealth in the present life to kusala kamma in previous ones, not realizing that wealth does not always connote a reduction in dukkha.   Is this part of  'Thai Buddhism'?  Who knows.  Thai religion is such an inextricable mass of Lankavamsa, Burmese Pagan, and Khmer Buddhisms, as well as Brahmanism and animism, that it is not possible to pin any modern outgrowth of Thai religious life on any particular historical influence.  

  I can say for certain, however, that for many Thais, material success serves as the the primary indicator of kammic record.  Although religion has faded into the background for many modern, urban Thais I feel that this materialistic veiw of kamma has contributed to the avaricious outlook held so commonly in Thailand today.  I cannot help but thinking of the universiality and poignancy of Weber's 'Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism' here.  As worldly success supplanted religious ritual in early American Christianity, and eventually gave way to secularism, so has the centrality of the temple in Thai cultural life been replaced by that of teh Mercedes-Benz dealership.

  As a bit of a more real-world example of the importance most modern, urban Thais place on wealth, which I, as said above, believe to be the long-term outgrowth of a skewed interpretation of kamma, I shall refer to a recent anecdote involving  my fiancee's co-workers.  This group of up-and-coming, female marketing professionals were discussing one colleague's new boyfriend.  The 32 year-old spoke of her new beau proudly and unabashedly, and all praised her 'good catch.'  There was no hint of disapproval or shock in the co-workers' congratulatory remarks, as the new boyfriend was the wealthy vice-president of a major technology company.  He is 77 years old.

  Tyler

  Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com 



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