I personally think we shouldn't become monks with the intention of disrobing later. Seems to trivialize ordination. Anyway, I think WPN requires one to stay for quite some time before the abbot would consider one for ordination.

Sylvester's argument is that based on the grammar one can inferre that the "walking passage" refers to the establishment of sati and not to the jhānas . Oh.... Hmm.... But that doesn't proof OP wrong, does it? Reading the sutta as it is, I get the idea that the jhanas are the result of establishing...

Looks Sylvester is not going to do it. Can anyone else translate?

Well answered, pegembara!

Intention is key. If the intention is to share insight into Buddhism in a way that benefits others for their sake and not for the sake of gain, praise, fame, or pleasure and it is in line with the principles of right speech then it is the compassionate thing to do. It's not about converting others,...

pilgrim wrote:Buddhists don't seek to convert for conversion sake, but to benefit others.

So, we should convert, but just not for conversion sake? Even when we think "to benefit others", that's tricky, isn't it?

No need to wonder why and mount a critique of the Comy. If you pay closer attention to the sutta, it says - so ce ahaṃ, brāhmaṇa, evaṃbhūto caṅkamāmi, dibbo me eso tasmiṃ samaye caṅkamo hoti It does NOT say - so ce ahaṃ, brāhmaṇa, evaṃbhūtā caṅkamāmi, dibbo me eso tesu samayesu caṅkamo hoti Sometim...

This is a few years old but still worth reading:
Buying Your Way To Heaven: Thailand’s Dhammakaya
http://penhpal.com/2011/02/buying-your- ... kaya-cult/

Nice little summary of Dhammakaya here: http://www.buddhaschool.org/?pageid=355

Another piece on the Dhammachayo-Thaksin connection:

TRT and Dhammakaya Temple - perfect match
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006/09 ... 014752.php

This one is by former core monastic member of Wat Dhammakaya for 19 years,

jameswang wrote:Guess what? I got the invitation list to a Dhammakaya event.

Sorry, it should be "attendance list". I've already corrected the post.

A 2006 piece By Sanitsuda Ekachai on Bangkok Post
on the Dhammachayo-Thaksin connection.

Bringing saffron into yellow act
http://www.international.ucla.edu/artic ... ntid=49022
(The article is no longer on Bangkok Post website. )

Guess what? I got the attendance list of a Dhammakaya event. Well, not exactly Dhammakaya event, but WFBY event. Then again, what’s the difference? Besides, their schedule says that at 9am on 13 Feb will be “Openning Ceremony at DKF/BYLT Program”. (English is not their strong point, but they are goo...

Sokehi wrote:They've out-scientologied the Scientology with that Sci-Fi crap.

In case others don't get this part, read this:
http://www.xenu.net/archive/leaflet/Xenu-A4.pdf

What if they just copied the Scientology strategy?
In any case, both are sucking their followers dry.

:thumbsup: Raksha, that is great insight and wise. Neither to opposite such things, nor to support such things but wishing them the best, when you can not really help. Ven Gavesako is trying to help by providing info. People who are informed would know enough to avoid. If you understand psychologic...