Tuesday, December 21, 2010

What should I know about living in Cambodia

What should I know about living in Cambodia?
I'm in Thailand now, familiar mostly with Chiang Mai and BKK. What is LOW cost of living, with respect to lodging-like guest house in or out of the capital? I want to train Khmer boxing, and will go between Thailand and Cambodia, and possibly Myanmar. I've found lodging in Thailand everywhere between 2 and 3k baht, 60-100$. What is the low end there in Cambodia?
Other - Asia Pacific - 1 Answers
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1 :
depending on where you are in Cambodia the prices vary from similar to Thailand to a little higher. I have found very inexpensive lodging in Phonm Phen and prices to be somewhat higher in Siem Reap. Probably because of the popularity of Angkor Wat. Remember everything, and I mean everything is for sale in Cambodia. Most of the serious grifters in the world end up there at some point in time so hold tight to your wallet. Keep a small amount of local currency in one pocket and the bulk of your pocket money in the other. If stopped by one of the three police agency's pull out the small denomination cash when they want the bribe and you might even be able to argue them down a little. If you pull out the big bucks its gone. I have a friend who takes a book everywhere he goes. If he gets stopped by the cops he just sits down and pulls out the book and starts reading. waits them out! he usually gets off Scot free. Don't ever run or try to dodge the military police. they would just as soon shoot you as look at you. You are safer to hire a driver than renting a bike. Just trust me on this. its worth it. I have more if you need it and check out this site for some inside expat info. www.asia-expatsforum.com/phpBB2/cambodia-links.php

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Tuesday, December 14, 2010

What is the meaning of the "Strenuous terms"

What is the meaning of the "Strenuous terms"?
He said. "I therefore call, in the most strenuous terms, on the Government of Myanmar to put its people's live".
Languages - 2 Answers
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1 :
ie in the strongest terms or I really urge you STRONGLY
2 :
Strenuous terms means, terms which will exhaust you and be very difficult to acomplish. Terms which are tiring and cause major difficulty.

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Tuesday, December 7, 2010

If Myanmar is so oppressive to its own, why do organizations believe that they will accept aid that is sent

If Myanmar is so oppressive to its own, why do organizations believe that they will accept aid that is sent?
Most people are aware that Myanmar is not open to outside assistance of any kind, so isn't a waste of time and energy to send aid to them? I fully sympathize with the people who are living there who have no freedom and who have lost loved ones in the cyclone, but you just can't walk in somewhere like that and expect them to change their ways at the drop of a hat just to suit what you think is right because it's something you're not accustomed to.
Religion & Spirituality - 7 Answers
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1 :
Not everyone agrees that the world should ignore governments that oppress the people.
2 :
It will never be a wast of time and energy to send aid to a country in desperate need of help even though that country refuses help. Myanmar doesn't know it yet, but they will eventually realize their situation is much too dire to keep refusing aid. The question is, how many more people must die before they realize that?
3 :
Because they need help. Better to believe rather than not.
4 :
People are suffering and dying in their own filth and sewage. We have to make every attempt because they are human beings who did not ask for a militant regime governing them. No one deserves to suffer like that. And if the only way the junta will allow aid in is if they are the ones handing it out and therefore getting the credit from the people of Myanmar, so be it. Principle is never more important than human life.
5 :
I thnk what will happen is most of these supples will find their way to a warehouse somewhere and supply the Army for many years to come. It's sad but what can ya do? My bet is that US Army Special Forces are there as we speak. They will train a resistance party so the people can fight for themselves. Any remaning supples will be destroyed by either SF or Rangers, I garuntee it! Theres no way the US will let their army use those releif supplies for personal gain.
6 :
The alternative would be to just ignore the fact that our fellow human beings are in great distress and walk away.It is a far better thing to try to help even if that help is rebuffed. It is like giving to charity. Sometimes the money you give is not used properly. Nevertheless better to have given and tried to help than to have walked away and never atttempted to help. It is our duty to help our fellow man. We are all living on this planet together.
7 :
Anything that gets donated is most probably going to be stolen by the military there anyway, not used for helping the people. It's terrible; but the impetus for change has got to come from the people of Myanmar themselves, not from outside.

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Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Where could I become a Theravada Buddhist monk ? ( meditation visa , live there the rest of my life)

Where could I become a Theravada Buddhist monk ? ( meditation visa , live there the rest of my life)?
Would you still go in Birma (myanmar) to become a renoncant (Monk)? Would you go in this day and age , to live among the Buddhist monks (theravada) I wish to renonce to this world and its the only place they really accept foreigners , also the population support the monk there , like old days. I do not know where else I could go , if you know monks , have contacts , information and so on , It would be greatly A plus would be a place where we collect food with the bowl , and all that Siddhartha accepted Because as a renoncant (monk) you cannot buy , cook , ask for food , it would be against the teachings and would encourage a critical eye on foods ( to decide , i like , i dislike. So people must cook and give food. you can never posses money , buy , sell , trade
Religion & Spirituality - 2 Answers
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1 :
I spoke to a western Therevada monk who travelled all over Asia learning and experiencing monkhood. His experience was suprisingly bleek; but then again Buddhism's about acknowledging truth and reality. He told me there are a few places that are good for learning, but most are far from the spiritual experience you'll be expecting. The vast majority of westerners who become Therevada monks quit within a few years with a very bitter taste in their mouth. He told me Thailand is the worst place to learn. He said they can be pretty arrogant and rude. Some Thais' first sexual experience is in the temple during their first time of temporary monkhood. I was told a story where a teenager went to live in a temple and his monk 'roommate' kept masterbating. He complained to the abbot and the abbot was so offended at the suggestion that the abbot couldn't run a monstery properly that the teenager had to leave the temple. This allowed the abbot to keep face. Ajahn Bram said in some temples in Thailand the monks would revere the books without ever reading them. What's the point? Thai Buddhism's strongly influenced by animism and local culture too; just as all Buddhist societies are. Don't get me wrong, there ARE great monasteries and monks out there. Ajahn Cha is one such Thai monk who's excellent. He founded a forest monastery in northern Thailand. Burmese monks were said to be similar to Thai monks. The two most respected monks in some place in Burma couldn't stand the sound of each other's name because they had different interepretations and jealousy. A suitable attitude in some religions where there can be only one 'right' view, but most unsuitable for a Buddhist monk. In general, Sri Lanka is the best place to learn Therevada Buddhism. Even most common Sri Lankans are aware of the basic concepts and Pali words and it's less superstitous than in other countries. If you're from a developed country then getting a visa isn't a problem. If you want to live like Siddharta then you can never ever touch money again; in this world it's just too impractical. Only in South East Asia do they still use the alms bowl to request food from people (oh another monk story- I was told of some monks who collected rice from villagers, brewed into alcohol and then sold it back to the villagers at a high cost). Buddhism's one of the few religions that recognises change is inevitable, and you're probably richer than most people in developing countries so I don't know why you'd want to have them donate food to you. So I'd go to a place based on recommendation from someone who's personally experienced it all.
2 :
I take it you wish to ordain in the Theravada tradition. In that case you can go to Thailand, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia, England, or California.

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