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Originally Posted by TheSquealer
When I lived in Thailand, I almost immediately began to notice something was off with people. That behind many smiles, as a very "fuck you" vibe. It began with noticing one single guard that was a doorman at my building (nice serviced apartments in BKK) who would open the door and solute as I walked past... but always had this sort of crazy but very subtle "I would love to cut your throat" kind of look in his eyes. I told myself "I was Thai and had to see an endless parade of 50 something German tourists walking down the street, teenage Thai girls in tow", I'd be a little hostile in my attitude towards foreigners and sort of dismissed it. But I began to notice it more and more and more in others. Then I started meeting a lot of non Thai's (Cambodians, Laotians etc) who all seemed very certain that Thais were the scourge of the region. In that new light, I started seeing things a bit different. The corruption seemed more apparent and obvious as well as the violence and crime and the very dark side of Thailand and Thai people.
I have always wondered about something though about the politics there. Most 3rd world countries are corrupt,.. that is nothing new. But given this culture of "smiles", how much of their political problems could be attributed to Buddhism? For example, Burma is run by a military dictatorship and basically, the world couldn't name a single Burmese official to save their lives. They don't protest. They don't speak out. They don't care. That is the whole point of Buddhism. With Buddhism, you are being told that "life is suffering" and to "let go".
I have always thought that Buddhism is perfect for fostering a corrupt political system as it discourages people from wanting more, asking for and demanding more etc.
What role, if any, do you think Buddhism plays in their constant political problems and endless cycle of coups?
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I think you're right about a lot of that.
The Thais have a distorted and perverse view on Buddhism. I don't even think it's fair they call it Buddhism to be honest, as everything they do and practice, even at the temples, is the opposite of what the Buddha taught.
Perhaps if they were true Buddhists and really followed the teaches of Buddha, they would not always be fighting and so full of bitterness, as you noticed yourself. Not all are this way of course, but way too many of them are. Anti-Buddhists. Even a lot of the monks these days are twisted, walking around with iPhones and paying hookers to visit the temple. Many are caught with drugs and other nonsense. It's crazy. One of the protest leaders, part of a violent group with thugs who beat people up, is a well respected monk. Go figure. Another famous monk was caught screwing women and embezzling money. He flew off in a private helicopter, but he also has a private jet and an entourage. Silly stuff. Totally goes against everything he is supposed to believe in and teach.
That said, in regards to religion, they are no different than Christians or any other group who go to church on Sunday, then beat their wife and kids later that night before heading to the bar or casino.
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Originally Posted by klinton
have you been in China last time ? do you know pollution levels in cities over there ?
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Sure, some cities have a pollution problem. However, China is HUGE. More don't have a problem than do.