It's faster for me to type in English. But I did just order a Thai keyboard for my pc to make it easier! I have been working very closely with the Thai community here in the states, but its still not the same as being there. You are right about living there to have a greater understanding of the culture. I hope to be in Thailand next year staying with friends and the families of the monks I know here in the states. I am really looking forward to it
@daviddouglasstanley, That sounds like it will be a great opportunity! I know you will enjoy Thailand. It's a beautiful country and the Thai people are really amazing.
@daviddouglasstanley By all means visit Isaan, the people are genuine, and you will feel at home from the start. And it's about as authentically Thai as it gets. Most of it is unspoiled by the trappings of tourism. สวัสดีครับ
@daviddouglasstanley, they are practicing their form of Buddhism. I don't teach them the 4 noble truths because 1) I never said I "teach" anything. My desire is to help people. Whether it is orphans who need a home or a family that lost their home to the tsunami. 2) If I am asked to share about my faith I share from the Bible since that is the basis for our beliefs.
@daviddouglasstanley, again, in textbook Buddhism yes. But in Thailand they practice a much different brand. It's a "Folk Buddhism" mixed with animism. Your common person on the street cannot name the four noble truths.
@ Darininthailand I am Buddhist, and I have great hope for the time after I have died. You need to understand the difference between reincarnation and rebirth. The concepts of reincarnation is rooted in Brahminical teachings and rest on the idea of soul/self/atman, but the Buddha rejected the idea of self/soul/atman. There is merely energy that is transfered. The Buddha taught anatta (no soul). As for ghosts that is just human nature a common belief among all cultures incl. Christian ones.
@daviddouglasstanley, I agree that is what the textbooks say about Bhuddism. However, my friends and people I have met during my time living Asia know nothing about atman, brahma, anatta, etc.. They only say that they have to live life as best as they you can because they are afraid they will come back as a dog, or some lowly life form. They have a simple belief passed down by oral tradition.
so darininthailand what you are saying is that those who do not believe as you do have no hope and that we are in a terrible state without knowledge of your belief system. For as you say "a message of good news for all" would imply that we had no previous good news or hope. As a learned man in both Theravada Buddhism and Christianity, I find this viewpoint to be egotistical and narrow minded. I appreciate the heart of wanting to help others, but have a difficult time with such limited views.
@daviddouglasstanley, yes, that is what I am saying. Are you Buddhist? In my experience Buddhist people don't have a lot of hope in regards to the afterlife. They believe in a almost perpetual cycle of reincarnation. This creates a fear of the next life. Also, in Thailand there is a deep fear of spirits. As Christians we believe we should have no fear of our lives after death. Jesus has created a bridge to Heaven for us all. We can accept that free gift and release our fears to Him.
In Buddhism proselytizing is considered unskillful action. Monk are allowed to share their beliefs only when given an invitation to and only to share their beliefs, never to convert. Many Christians with good intentions try to "convert" Buddhists, but I don't think that they truly understand the nature of Buddhist ethics, Buddhism, and Thai culture.
@daviddouglasstanley, I agree that many Christians do not have a good understanding of Buddhism. However, we as Christians believe that God has given us a message of hope for the nations. We are called to share this message with everyone. It's a message of good news for all! We all have access to heaven through Jesus Christ. Having an understanding of Buddhism is important in order to be culturally sensitive, but not a prerequisite for being able to share our faith.
if you would quit trying to shove your make believe religion down peoples throats, you might learn something from the place you visit, the buddhist philosphy(not a religion) does not rely on false beliefs, "he" is make believe like the easter bunny, stay in your own country and convert-better yet keep it to yourself as I can bet you are not perfect
Mike, why are you so bitter? This team has been invited to Thailand year after year by the Thai people. The Thai people love these folks from CA. They spend 2 weeks a year teaching english and helping out any way they can. What is wrong with that?
@darininthailand Because you're trying to destroy their culture and substitute your own. Keep Christianity to yourself. God's not real, for fuck's sake. Stop ruining cultures over nothing.
@standdownman I love Thai culture and I would never do anything to change it. Is God real? That is a decision you have to make for yourself. Please don't take that decision lightly. I know without a doubt that He is real and He has done amazing things for me. However, it's impossible to force God on anyone, and I would never try to do that. I can, however, share with those who want to hear what God has done in my life. Then they can make the decision for themselves.
@darininthailand Whether "a" god exists or not is arguable. However, YOUR god does not exist. He never HAS existed, and he never WILL exist. You are following a false doctrine written by men who didn't understand the world around them. Honestly, it amazes me that our species as a whole can be so fucking stupid to follow something so ridiculous. To base their life on a book FILLED with glaring contradictions. People are too damn weak to live without the psychological crutch that is religion.
@standdownman Wow, you must be one of those physics! That's amazing that you know what I believe and which God I serve without me even telling you! Amazing.
@darininthailand "One of those physics!" Really? Do you mean physicist or something? Regardless, I'm just a 17 year old kid. A 17 year old kid who isn't a fucking retard. It's obvious what God you serve. Maybe if you weren't fucking indoctrinated so badly, you'd have the skills to come to conclusions and connect dots, but obviously you need a book to do that for you.
@standdownman Yeah I meant to say "psychic." Well, I am sorry that you have become so bitter. It sounds like some Christian or church really wronged you. I am sorry that happened to you. Just know we aren't all bad. I'm no where near perfect, but I do feel that I can help people. Maybe that is teaching them English, maybe it's rebuilding their house after the tsunami, or maybe it's telling them about what I believe God can do for them. I'll be praying for you to find peace.
@darininthailand I'm bitter because there's stupid fucking people like you around, spreading your ignorance like a cancer. I've never been personally wronged by the church. I'm not stupid enough to blame an entire religion on the actions of a few.
Wow! Thanks for sharing this video. I didn't go on this trip, but I went the year before to the Phang Nga province in the south. This brought back so many memories of the students we taught. Awesome!
It's faster for me to type in English. But I did just order a Thai keyboard for my pc to make it easier! I have been working very closely with the Thai community here in the states, but its still not the same as being there. You are right about living there to have a greater understanding of the culture. I hope to be in Thailand next year staying with friends and the families of the monks I know here in the states. I am really looking forward to it
daviddouglasstanley 1 year ago
@daviddouglasstanley, That sounds like it will be a great opportunity! I know you will enjoy Thailand. It's a beautiful country and the Thai people are really amazing.
darininthailand 1 year ago
@daviddouglasstanley By all means visit Isaan, the people are genuine, and you will feel at home from the start. And it's about as authentically Thai as it gets. Most of it is unspoiled by the trappings of tourism. สวัสดีครับ
tostrader44 1 year ago
ผมอยู่ประเทศสหรัฐอเมริกาครับ
daviddouglasstanley 1 year ago
@daviddouglasstanley เวลาคุณอยู่ที่อาเซียแล้วคุณจะเข้าใจครับ
darininthailand 1 year ago
คุณพูดภาษาไทยเป็นไหม ?
daviddouglasstanley 1 year ago
ได้ครับ อ่านเขียนด้วย. คุณอยู่ที่ประเทศหรือเปล่า?
darininthailand 1 year ago
then they really aren't following Buddhism. Why don't you teach them the 4 Noble Truths?
daviddouglasstanley 1 year ago
@daviddouglasstanley, they are practicing their form of Buddhism. I don't teach them the 4 noble truths because 1) I never said I "teach" anything. My desire is to help people. Whether it is orphans who need a home or a family that lost their home to the tsunami. 2) If I am asked to share about my faith I share from the Bible since that is the basis for our beliefs.
darininthailand 1 year ago
Well there are Four Noble Truths, not just the first two.
daviddouglasstanley 1 year ago
@daviddouglasstanley, again, in textbook Buddhism yes. But in Thailand they practice a much different brand. It's a "Folk Buddhism" mixed with animism. Your common person on the street cannot name the four noble truths.
darininthailand 1 year ago
@ Darininthailand I am Buddhist, and I have great hope for the time after I have died. You need to understand the difference between reincarnation and rebirth. The concepts of reincarnation is rooted in Brahminical teachings and rest on the idea of soul/self/atman, but the Buddha rejected the idea of self/soul/atman. There is merely energy that is transfered. The Buddha taught anatta (no soul). As for ghosts that is just human nature a common belief among all cultures incl. Christian ones.
daviddouglasstanley 1 year ago
@daviddouglasstanley, I agree that is what the textbooks say about Bhuddism. However, my friends and people I have met during my time living Asia know nothing about atman, brahma, anatta, etc.. They only say that they have to live life as best as they you can because they are afraid they will come back as a dog, or some lowly life form. They have a simple belief passed down by oral tradition.
darininthailand 1 year ago
so darininthailand what you are saying is that those who do not believe as you do have no hope and that we are in a terrible state without knowledge of your belief system. For as you say "a message of good news for all" would imply that we had no previous good news or hope. As a learned man in both Theravada Buddhism and Christianity, I find this viewpoint to be egotistical and narrow minded. I appreciate the heart of wanting to help others, but have a difficult time with such limited views.
daviddouglasstanley 1 year ago
@daviddouglasstanley, yes, that is what I am saying. Are you Buddhist? In my experience Buddhist people don't have a lot of hope in regards to the afterlife. They believe in a almost perpetual cycle of reincarnation. This creates a fear of the next life. Also, in Thailand there is a deep fear of spirits. As Christians we believe we should have no fear of our lives after death. Jesus has created a bridge to Heaven for us all. We can accept that free gift and release our fears to Him.
darininthailand 1 year ago
In Buddhism proselytizing is considered unskillful action. Monk are allowed to share their beliefs only when given an invitation to and only to share their beliefs, never to convert. Many Christians with good intentions try to "convert" Buddhists, but I don't think that they truly understand the nature of Buddhist ethics, Buddhism, and Thai culture.
daviddouglasstanley 1 year ago
@daviddouglasstanley, I agree that many Christians do not have a good understanding of Buddhism. However, we as Christians believe that God has given us a message of hope for the nations. We are called to share this message with everyone. It's a message of good news for all! We all have access to heaven through Jesus Christ. Having an understanding of Buddhism is important in order to be culturally sensitive, but not a prerequisite for being able to share our faith.
darininthailand 1 year ago
so good
wittakung 1 year ago
if you would quit trying to shove your make believe religion down peoples throats, you might learn something from the place you visit, the buddhist philosphy(not a religion) does not rely on false beliefs, "he" is make believe like the easter bunny, stay in your own country and convert-better yet keep it to yourself as I can bet you are not perfect
travelingmike40 2 years ago
Thanks for the comment Mike. But I was not visiting. I live there.
darininthailand 2 years ago
@travelingmike40 i agree with you mike! can't stand people that force other religions down their throat!
thaigirl1974 1 year ago
@travelingmike40 Hi Mike. Oh, you are an expert in the Buddhist religion? Impressive!
darininthailand 1 year ago
wow...very nice
nongyao24 2 years ago
miss thailand (udon thani)
kuhmilch 3 years ago
Very good, and thank you for everything what you did in Isan, I also come from Isan (Mahasarakham Province).
SiamCuteX 3 years ago
wow! god job,we need more people like you guys.
tintongp 4 years ago
no, we need less, keep your religion and its lies to yourself, creation is not true-10,000 years of existence is not reality
travelingmike40 2 years ago
Mike, why are you so bitter? This team has been invited to Thailand year after year by the Thai people. The Thai people love these folks from CA. They spend 2 weeks a year teaching english and helping out any way they can. What is wrong with that?
darininthailand 2 years ago
@darininthailand Because you're trying to destroy their culture and substitute your own. Keep Christianity to yourself. God's not real, for fuck's sake. Stop ruining cultures over nothing.
standdownman 1 year ago
@standdownman I love Thai culture and I would never do anything to change it. Is God real? That is a decision you have to make for yourself. Please don't take that decision lightly. I know without a doubt that He is real and He has done amazing things for me. However, it's impossible to force God on anyone, and I would never try to do that. I can, however, share with those who want to hear what God has done in my life. Then they can make the decision for themselves.
darininthailand 1 year ago
@darininthailand Whether "a" god exists or not is arguable. However, YOUR god does not exist. He never HAS existed, and he never WILL exist. You are following a false doctrine written by men who didn't understand the world around them. Honestly, it amazes me that our species as a whole can be so fucking stupid to follow something so ridiculous. To base their life on a book FILLED with glaring contradictions. People are too damn weak to live without the psychological crutch that is religion.
standdownman 1 year ago
@standdownman Wow, you must be one of those physics! That's amazing that you know what I believe and which God I serve without me even telling you! Amazing.
darininthailand 1 year ago
@darininthailand "One of those physics!" Really? Do you mean physicist or something? Regardless, I'm just a 17 year old kid. A 17 year old kid who isn't a fucking retard. It's obvious what God you serve. Maybe if you weren't fucking indoctrinated so badly, you'd have the skills to come to conclusions and connect dots, but obviously you need a book to do that for you.
standdownman 1 year ago
@standdownman Yeah I meant to say "psychic." Well, I am sorry that you have become so bitter. It sounds like some Christian or church really wronged you. I am sorry that happened to you. Just know we aren't all bad. I'm no where near perfect, but I do feel that I can help people. Maybe that is teaching them English, maybe it's rebuilding their house after the tsunami, or maybe it's telling them about what I believe God can do for them. I'll be praying for you to find peace.
darininthailand 1 year ago
@darininthailand I'm bitter because there's stupid fucking people like you around, spreading your ignorance like a cancer. I've never been personally wronged by the church. I'm not stupid enough to blame an entire religion on the actions of a few.
standdownman 1 year ago
Wow! Thanks for sharing this video. I didn't go on this trip, but I went the year before to the Phang Nga province in the south. This brought back so many memories of the students we taught. Awesome!
commuterqueen 4 years ago
On the behalf of Thai people, I would like to thank you all very much for all the things you have done for them. that made me cry...I miss Thailand
apichit77 4 years ago
Thanks for ALL your assistance while we were over there -
You are awesome! I will never forget my Thailand experience and all the wonderful love from the Thai people.
RobinTeacher 4 years ago