Search Buddhist Channel
Queen Sirikit wants Buddhist monks to bring peace to hurting south
by Weena Kowitwanij, AsiaNews, July 31, 2007
Queen’s plan includes 347 Buddhist monks who have decided to move into hundreds of temples abandoned in southern Thailand as a result of violence perpetrated by Islamic separatists. Their goal is to bring peace and solidarity to a population affected by years of death and civil war.
Bangkok, Thailand -- Thailand’s Queen Sikirit wants to reopen abandoned Buddhist monasteries and temples in the country’s southern provinces. For years the area has suffered from the violence between the military and local Islamic separatists. For this purpose she called on Buddhist monks to go south and live in the empty monasteries during the three three-month Buddhist Lent (starting July 30) which coincides with the rainy season, a time when monks normally do not travel.
So far 347 monks have heeded her appeal and have moved into 266 temples that had been abandoned because Islamic separatists had targeted them as symbols of Thailand’s Buddhist majority.
In many other locations monks have been able to travel asking for alms only under police or army escort to deter and prevent suicide attacks.
Somdej Phrayannasungwom Sakolmahasungkaparinayok, Thailand’s supreme Buddhist patriarch, urged the faithful to “give alms, observe [Buddhism’s] five precepts, listen to sermons, and pray.” He added that if people are understanding and have mercy “society will be full of happiness and peace.”
Phra Phibhithammasoontorn, rector of Soontornprachatham Temple in Pattani, said that with the “Queen’s encouragement more than 300 monks volunteered to stay in the temples of the three southern provinces where violence has occurred for years. Let me remind each Buddhist believer that they ought to express at least one good intention during Buddhist Lent this year so as to start changing for a better life.”
Phra Somchai Kitiwuthto is among the volunteers making the trip; his destination: Narathiwas Temple. “Spreading the teachings of the Buddha and encouraging the faith,” he said, “are part of the mission of a Buddhist monk. Violence is not an answer to our problems. Dhamma (or Dharma, i.e. the Buddha’s teachings) must help bring solidarity among all Thais.”
Thailand’s population stands at 62.8 million, 95 per cent of which is Buddhist. Another 4 per cent is Muslim, but concentrated in the southernmost provinces.
Rebel groups have been fighting for their secession. Since 2004 about 2,200 people have died in the ensuing clashes.
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv