Category Archives: Thailand & Buddhism
Relevance of the Forest Tradition
This week we have two of the longest serving ‘Forest Tradition’ teachers and inspirations giving a talk in Bangkok. One might wonder what exactly is the forest tradition? The ‘Forest Tradition’ does not just mean rural temples, or those in … Continue reading
L’Bang now on Facebook
Facebook user name is Littlebangkok Sangha or click the following : http://facebook.com/littlebang
Frank’s Ordination
Frank has been meditating a long time, and is well versed in the suttas (teachings) and over the years has been more and more committed to the practise and development that is the Buddhist way. On March 29th ’09 he … Continue reading
Report: YBAT Weekend Retreat
YBAT Retreat Jan 2009 This was our first time organising a weekend retreat with the YBAT organisation, known in Thai as Yuwaphut. YBAT arrange continuous retreats all year round at both of their centres, with more centres being built. Many … Continue reading
After Asalha Puja
Now that you have all completed your cirumambulations of the local temples, you might notice that there are some further traditions to complete. As with any holiday, most Thais ‘Glap Bahn’, go home for a visit, but this time there … Continue reading
I Think, Therefore I Think I AM
Fianl account of the June weekend retreat, 2008: Click here for a longer account by Dr Will Last set of pictures from the retreat are below. Most meditation systems try to focus the mind on an object of concentration, usually the … Continue reading
Comsaed Resort Photos
The Comsaed Resort: The first Little Bangkok Sangha meditation weekend Nice surroundings are conducive to meditation, especially when you are escaping from relentless Bangkok. The Comsad Resort is situated right on the River Kwai, in some 200 rai of carefully … Continue reading
Report: June Retreat & photos
Summary of the June Retreat at Comsaed Resort on the River Kwai : In total we had 13 laypeople and 2 monks leaving Wat Yannawa for Comsaed in two mini-busses for the first retreat organised by our own group. We … Continue reading
Water Festival
[Summary: Songkram water festival, animism in a 'Buddhist' culture, and littlebang updating] While Littlebang updates, and rearranges the pages and icons, and while the new Galleries slowly take form, the outside world here goes to war with water guns. Perhaps Songkram … Continue reading
The Saffron Equation
[Summary: thoughts on the role of monks and religion in protests. Particularly in light of recent events in Tibet] The Saffron Revolution Can Monks Protest? This question came up last year with the troubles in Burma, and now again … Continue reading
Anyone can get to Heaven
[Summary: Article on the entrenchment of the "we are right" view, and the mystic or meditational side to religion] Anyone can get to heaven Goes the Buddhist saying Just be good Dogmatic religions always feel themselves right and others wrong … Continue reading
Abandoning the Raft
[Summary: attachment to views and opinions as the source of fundamentalism. Some of the evangelical Christian missions in Thailand] This is a land of spiritual darkness … where everywhere the people live in a bondage of fear to spirits … Continue reading
Graven Idols
[Why do Buddhist bow to Buddha images and monks. Judaic religions find this akin to pagan animism] Graven ImagesLast week a few of us were rounded on by a proselytizing Christian. He had a set of ready made arguments in which … Continue reading
Thanks to Baan Aree
The new Dhamma Hall at Baan Aree has been a great blessing for us, and others that use it. The location is ideal, and the Library environment creates a very nice atmosphere. If you have not looked inside, the library … Continue reading
Buddhism’s Bill 2007
A new law is being proposed, by the group that attempted to make the Constitution include Buddhism as a state religion, that ‘protects’ from ‘Buddhist’ offences. There is a hefty fine and up to 25 years in prison for anyone … Continue reading
Part II – Bhikkhuni Dhammananda Interview
The first part of the interview is HERE In Venerable Dhammananda’s Dhammananda’s talk we asked her to choose her own topic – part of the reason for this is everywhere she goes, she is hikacked on to this one solitary … Continue reading
Interview with Bhikkhuni Dhammananda
[ There are some upcoming retreats with Bhikkhuni Dhammananda in July, Sept and Oct 2008 in English. See : http://littlebang.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/retreat-with-bhikkhuni-dhammananda/ %5D Bhikkhuni Dhammananda Interview Part One It is not easy to get Thai monks to do things outside their usual temple activities, … Continue reading
Monk’s Protest
When people come upon the Little Bang through google, the management page reports what search terms were used. By far the most common term is “Jatukam”. In the last few days it is terms such as ‘Burma monks protest” or … Continue reading
The Thai Sangha on Bhikkhunis
Since we are having Bhikkhuni Dhammananda to lead an evening at Baan Aree next month, it’s fitting to make a mention here about the ordination of Women in Thailand. The broader issues are under discussion at various Buddhist websites, such … Continue reading
Burmese Monks Protest
A number of news services have been running the story recently about some Burmese monks who were reportedly tied to an electricity post and beaten with rifle butts. With these and other stories, such as ones that come from the … Continue reading
Bhikkhunis in Thailand
The Nation has published an interview with Bhikkhuni Dhammananda this week. No surprise that it is all about women ordaining in the Thai Sangha. It is a shame really; she is very knowledgeable about both Dhamma and meditation but somehow … Continue reading
Book Sale – Buddhist titles
Dasa book cafe – on Sukhumvit near to the emporium, is having a September book sale, and the data base lists a number of Buddhist titles: Ajahn Chah -Living Dhamma Breiter, Paul – Venerable Father: a Life with Ajahn Chah … Continue reading
Buddhism will not be State Religion
It has been a topic of import lately in Thai Buddhist circles, that Buddhism be declared the ‘State’ religion of Thailand. Apparently this idea has little support amongst regular Thai people, but many monks and Buddhist organisations have been trying … Continue reading
Jatukam Amulets
This is the Thai craze of the day – the large jatukam amulets sold everywhere. Reuters has a story on this: Some monks have come out swinging against the so-called Jatukam Ramathep frenzy, saying it has turned the Buddhist priesthood … Continue reading


