Laos Buddhist-Socialist Republic: First quarter of 2023 Saw Over 800,000 Tourists Visit! (11.5.2023)

There are various activities that are unique to the people of Luang Prabang, such as wearing traditional clothing, unique food and experiencing the lifestyle of the local people. In the past 2 years, there were 883,096 tourists who visited Luang Prabang. In this, 483,765 domestic tourists, 399,331 international tourists – with the average income from tourism amounting to more than 336 million US dollars. Along with this, Luang Prabang province has 97 hotels, many resorts, 400 guest houses, 311 restaurants, 97 travel companies, 19 entertainment stores, 36 massage and spa shops, 553 national tour guides (with at least 126 women performing this role) and 41 provincial tour guides (including 11 women). All of this development has continued to attract tourists to continuously visit Luang Prabang each year!

Defining ‘Emptiness’ (Sunnata) and ‘Nothingness’ (Akincanna)! (5.2.2023) 

What does this mean? Dull nothingness (akincanna) is a thought form with a non-descript content. In other words, a thought is generated which is defined by the usual boundaries and parameters that constitute the average structured ‘thought’ form – but the meditator misunderstands this ‘non-descript’ content and mistakenly grasps it as being the empty mind ground. The trap here is that a manifest ‘thought’ (and stream of thought) is masquerading as the psychic fabric from which all structured thought arises – and which pre-exists all thought. This state is mistaken as complete and perfect enlightenment and those trapped within it start misleading others down the wrong path.

Football: Thailand Emerges Victorious in (Two-Leg) ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Cup! (17.1.2023)

This is the new approach. We used to let just anyone into the squad, but we really struggled in defence! Higher-up the decision was taken to ensure that every eligible player has at least 12-months living in a local Wat – including full ordination! Meditation practice of this length of time has really improved our ‘first touch’ of the ball, not to mention our running up the pitch and our creative passing! Although in Buddhism we are taught to ‘give everything away’ – this is not the case on the pitch! When we have possession of the ball – it is our time – and we will only give it away when the time is right – this is the result of developed ‘panna’. This is why before each half we have a team huddle and generate ‘metta’ (loving kindness) which permeates the changing rooms, the pitch, the stadium, country and universe! Dhammic-football will eventually become a worldwide phenomenon when Thailand lifts the FIFA World Cup! Of course, before that happens, we might have to teach the Thai people to read and write, build modern and safe housing, schools and hospitals, and develop a sustainable economy not premised upon Western religious fetish or sex tourism, but if our King can have sixteen wives due entirely to the good kamma he has generated in previous existences, so can we!” 

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