Category: Buddhism

Exploring the philosophy (and practice) of Early and Later Buddhism.

Deconstructing the Balathal “Samadhi” Skeletal Remains!

BMA (UK): India – Deconstructing the Balathal “Samadhi” Skeletal Remains! (21.9.2026)

Such hate-filled ignorance is the modus operandi of the Hindutva ideologue. Christianity was in India long before the British came. In Pakistan – formerly North India – the Muslims preserve a tomb said to be that of Jesus Christ (who supposedly lived-out his life in India following the survival of his crucifixion). Then there is the story of St Thomas who is believed to have been martyred whilst praying in a cave in Tamil Nadu. Even if neither of these stories are true – Christianity probably arrived in India long before it arrived in England. The Buddha, of course, was “Indian” and born a high caste Hindu (Kshatriya). Buddhists are reformed Hindus and were not foreign (or violent) invaders (Marx refers to Buddhists as practicing “rational Brahmanism”). Muslims did invade a “Buddhist” India, and did use violence against the Buddhists who refused to fight back. Only the followers of Brahma took to the field before being defeated. Yes – followers of Brahma still existed in Buddhist India – being a manifestation of Buddhist tolerance.

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Police escort Atichote Thammavaro, formerly Phra Vajirayan, out of Wat Phutthaisawan in Ayutthaya after he was defrocked on Thursday

Thailand: Head-Monk Expelled from Sangha for Breaking Vinaya-Discipline! (20.9.2026)

Buddhist Head-Monk in-charge of a wealthy temple under royal protection (he was filmed engaging in sexual activity with a 47-year old female lay practitioner – as well as embezzling billions of baht into a private bank account. Many Buddhist temples exist in impoverished locations – with the monastics being told that they must be sustained entirely upon “Dhamma”. Now, having said that, this is not to imply that the Dhamma is not upheld in temples sponsored by the King of Thailand. The temple in Wimbledon is a very good example of a well-run Buddhist institute. Monastics living in the remote jungle areas of Thailand often do not eat for days on end – with some sieving water for nourishing algae found in flowing rivers to stave-off starvation. Either the laity are non-existent – or are too poor to even provide scraps of food to monastics during their daily begging rounds. The Theravada tradition is very good and it is important for Buddhism that its practices are upheld properly.

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Thais Oppose Zionist Take-Over of Country!

Thailand: Buddhists March Against Zionist Colonisation, Aggression & Criminality! (20.9.2026)

Thailand has a long-standing tradition of “extending warm hospitality to foreign visitors”, he said. “However, let it be clearly understood by the embassy and the government of Israel that generosity must never be mistaken for weakness.”

Accusing Israelis of wanting to “occupy our country, building your own community”, he added: “Hospitality does not equate to submission to exploitation, and courtesy is not an open licence for anyone to act with impunity on our sovereign soil.”

“Widespread grievances” committed by Israeli residents and tourists “include violations of domestic law, public disturbance, disrespect towards local traditions and culture as well as recurring payment default and service-related fraud”, he added.

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A view of Samarkand Olympiad 2026

Pakistan: Samarkand Chess Olympiad 2026 – Israel “Boycotted” in Favour of “Palestine Solidarity”! (19.9.2026)

I had know idea historical Samarkand is now situated in the modern Nation State of Uzbekistan (a former Soviet Republic) an Islamic country. When the US and UK invaded Revolutionary Russia between 1918-1921 – the (58,000) British Army tended to manoeuvre around this general geographical area (the British committed an atrocity in Baku – Azerbaijan – by murdering unarmed Soviet POWs). So ashamed was the British Nation after this shameful event – no regiment in the British Army claim these actions as “battle honours”. The US tried to extend WWI to happening between 1914-1921 (these dates actually appear on some plaques) – but Great Britain refused this designation and limited WWI to “1914-1918” (although occasionally a plaque will read “1914-1919”) when the Soviet Red Army prevailed (the formation of the USSR was established in late 1922). Now, I know people from Pakistan sometimes access this blog – so I have added a few “Urdu” texts with English translation. Never stop learning.

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Buddha & St Benedict United!

UK: Buddha & St Benedict Entwined – a Retrospect! (10.9.2026)

Now, whilst in Hereford I befriended an Irishman (my family are part Irish) named “Brian Gray” – who was training to be a Catholic Priest. He was fascinated by Buddhism and liked to “spar” with me in gloved-boxing matches (I was a nasty bit of work in my late teens – as I discovered my natural physical strength). He introduced me to a “Father Thomas” the Abbot of the Catholic Hereford Cathedral. He wanted me to go to the Vatican to meet the Pope – and to join the Catholic faith – but of course, this was not my path. I am not attuned to entering these paths that discriminate against non-members for not being members. Also, at that point I was learning about how the Vatican supported fascism before, during, and after WWII. So you can see my predicament. Although I had friendly interactions on the personal level, there were certain political realities that had to be acknowledged and balanced. Anyway, the upshot of all this was that I was introduced to the study of the Rule of St Benedict followed by the monastics of the Catholic Church (and given the ring you can see here – although I am unaware of its significance).

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Dodgy Thai Surgery - Bad Karma!

Thailand: Bad Karma Leads to Gold Coffin – as “Tiny” Ubiribo’s Penis-Enlargement Fails!! (9.9.2026)

If you do not have to work, and have so much money there is no struggle or want – the human mind can make-up (and abide) in any deluded (inner) reality it imagines. The body merely assumes the outer expression of the inner delusion. This fool thought his genitalia could be bigger than it is. Thailand, despite its Buddhist culture, is a colony of the US – which pursues a policy of preventing Thailand from economically developing. Although members of the Sangha advocate a Socialist Revolution – there are one or two famous monks who benefit from this US dominance and teach the laity to enjoy and preserve their poverty. Of course, there is a small bourgeoisie in Thailand that sells services to rich (deluded) Westerners – obviously “penis-enlargement” is one of these ridiculous industries. The rich need protecting from their own stupidity. Furthermore, this fool has been buried in a gold coffin that cost so much that the money could have helped the poor of Thailand!

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