monk – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

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)

20/09/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

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.

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

10/09/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

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).

Portrait of William of Ockham by Peter Paul Rubens 1617

UK: William of Ockham (1287-1347-49?) – Origin of “Occam’s Razor”! (22.8.2026)

22/08/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

The Church and the State would have us believe that out of this quagmire of human ignorance and darkness – rays of light emerged. I can say that William of Ockham did write copious numbers of texts on all kinds of academic and theological topics, including politics, biographies, and philosophy. Part of the delay in the examination of his work by the Vatican in the 1320s was caused by its sheer volume. And it would seem that after his “Excommunication” – the nature of his work became ever-more defiant and questioning of Church authority. I think his conflict with the Church solidified his method of the efficient use of knowledge as a means of critiquing Church dogma and theology. Indeed, William appears to become nearly “Protestant” in his argument with Avignon. He may not have coined the term “Occam’s Razor” (why would a humble monk do such a strange thing?) – but he certainly earned the right to be considered a strong candidate for its modern inception due to the nature of the hostility he had to contend with. Although I am always suspicious of bourgeois sources (due to their a priori anti-Socialist position) – I believe we can trust the two I have included below. As always – think for yourself.

80 000 Wooden Blocks of Complete Collection of Buddhist Scriptures

DPRK: Buddhist Sutras on Display! (17.6.2026)

17/06/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

On a slightly different note, there was an English man called “Stephen Bachelor” who travelled to South Korea and joined a Buddhist monastic order. Indeed, I believe he eventually met the woman who would become his wife – at the time a Buddhist “nun”. Upon returning to the UK he established a Buddhist College in Devon – but as the years went by he started to describe himself as an “atheist” who do not believe in any form of religion or mysticism. He even banned Buddha statues from his meditation rooms – and when my teacher – Richard Hunn – was invited to teach, he also banned all incense. Of course, Buddhism is not a religion with the Buddha being described as “non-theist” (he said gods only seem to exist until believers realise they are non-existent). Yes – monotheism was unknown in the Buddha’s time – so it is interesting to consider what exactly it was that Mr Bachelor was reacting to? Did he think Buddhism was a religion – and the Buddha a god? Is this what they were teaching in South Korea?

Peter Wyles Passes Away Sat Upright 29.5.2026 2015hrs

UK: My Father Radiating Peace & Love at the Point of Departure! (31.5.2026)

31/05/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

375. Control of the senses, contentment, restraint according to the code of monastic discipline — these form the basis of holy life here for the wise monk.

376. Let him associate with friends who are noble, energetic, and pure in life, let him be cordial and refined in conduct. Thus, full of joy, he will make an end of suffering.

377. Just as the jasmine creeper sheds its withered flowers, even so, O monks, should you totally shed lust and hatred!

378. The monk who is calm in body, calm in speech, calm in thought, well-composed and who has spewn out worldliness — he, truly, is called serene.

379. By oneself one must censure oneself and scrutinize oneself . The self-guarded and mindful monk will always live in happiness.

380. One is one’s own protector, one is one’s own refuge. Therefore, one should control oneself, even as a trader controls a noble steed.

381. Full of joy, full of faith in the Teaching of the Buddha, the monk attains the Peaceful State, the bliss of cessation of conditioned things.

382. That monk who while young devotes himself to the Teaching of the Buddha illumines this world like the moon freed from clouds.

Becoming Aware of the Mind - Moment To Moment!

BMA-UK: Uprooting the Delusion that Underlies Racism! (21.9.2025)

21/09/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

Racism is learned on the outside of the body – and imported into the interior of the mind – where it becomes a habit of interpretation regarding other objects in the world. Perpetuating racism is one manifestation of racism – as is being a victim of racism – or the recipient of racism. In Asia, the Buddhist answer is to remove all klesa (defilements) – greed, hatred, and delusion – so that the conditions that allow racism to exist cannot function. Laws can be changed outlawing racism in the external world – this only deals with the superficiality that is racism – the tip of the iceberg so-to-speak.

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