Buddhadasa Bhikkhu 100 YEARS ON

Story by Vasana Chinvarakorn, Bangkok Post, May 28, 2006

The work of the monk who built Suan Mokkh continues

Suan Mokh, Thailand -- The fine, greyish-white powder hung briefly in the air before descending into the cooling stream below. Thus were the ashes of Buddhadasa Bhikkhu returned to the embrace of mother nature, as he had specifically dictated in his will.

Bound for bliss

Story and photos by Colin Hinshelwood, Bangkok Post, May 27, 2006

May 27 marks the centenary of the birth of the late Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, whose innovative teachings left a reformist legacy for Thailand's Theravada Buddhism.

Suan Mokh, Thailand -- When Sarah Medway, a 50-year-old artist from England, first read the schedule for the next 10 days, she was nervous.

The legacy of Thailand's reformist monk

Story by PHRA PHAISAN VISALO, Bangkok Post, May 28, 2006

Bangkok, Thailand -- With only Mathayom 3 (Primary 3 equivalent) schooling and clerical training deemed as rather basic, the 26-year-old Phra Ngerm Inthapanyo took what was later known to be a hugely historic step in Thai Buddhism. In concrete terms, he founded Suan Mokkh. In less tangible terms, the reformist monk reintroduced a novel Buddhism that is both relevant to the present time and still in keeping with the practice dating back to the Teacher himself.

A Century of Spirituality

by Nantiya Tangwisutijit, The Nation, May 27, 2006

Can Thai buddhism be saved from superstition? Followers feel Buddhadasa's teachings are crucially relevant to the present age

Bangkok, Thailand -- Mayura Wilainum-chokchai remembers having little interest in the extensive TV news coverage of the funeral of the Venerable Buddhadasa Bhikku 13 years ago. She had never heard of the monk before and simply assumed Buddhadasa was one of many famous Luang pu, senior monks with sacred powers.

Young Thais told to study Buddhism after much loved Buddhist monk

TNA News, May 26, 2006

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang on Friday urged young Thai Buddhists to study and adopt the practices of one of the country's most respected religious leaders, Buddhist monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, who was recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as one of the world's 'Great Personalities'.

In search of that elusive sense of detachment …

by Thanong Khanthong, The Nation, May 26, 2006

Bangkok, Thailand -- May 27 will mark the centenary of the birth of one of Thailand's most venerable Buddhist monks - Buddhadasa Bhikku, who passed away in 1993. But his teachings on Buddhism still have a huge influence on Thai intellectuals and Buddhists in general who strive to grasp the essence of Buddhism in its purest form.

LIFE???

A poem by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu

What is life, after all? I think -
It's a most bizarre madness of nature,
Of elements confusedly concocting body-mind
Still enslaved to instinctual appetites and tastes.