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!”
THE SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR) 