So all those Thai lads are going to become Buddhist monks now, apparently

So that's not weird at all.

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Originally Posted by Burney

So that's not weird at all.

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Pretty well all young Thai men do a stint as a monk. It's just a part of their education really and perfectly normal. :shrug:

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Originally Posted by Sir C

Pretty well all young Thai men do a stint as a monk. It's just a part of their education really and perfectly normal. :shrug:

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Does it not mean a lifetime of poverty, chastity and obedience, then? What's the point in that?

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Originally Posted by Burney

Does it not mean a lifetime of poverty, chastity and obedience, then? What's the point in that?

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Nah, they do it for a few months and then go back to the gambling, boozing and whoring so beloved of the Thai male.

All in all, a great bunch of lads in my experience.

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Originally Posted by Sir C

Nah, they do it for a few months and then go back to the gambling, boozing and whoring so beloved of the Thai male.

All in all, a great bunch of lads in my experience.

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Fair enough, but it's not proper monking, is it? It's basically a sh1t gap year.

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Originally Posted by Burney

Fair enough, but it's not proper monking, is it? It's basically a sh1t gap year.

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I'm not sure how you define 'proper monking', but when you are fed by wandering around the streets in the morning with a bowl in which random people dump cooked rice, I'd say that's pretty fúcking austere. Mind you, the robes are a cheerful shade of orange. And I suppose when you get upset about something political you're supposed to set yourself on fire; that's pretty hardcore.

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Originally Posted by Sir C

I'm not sure how you define 'proper monking', but when you are fed by wandering around the streets in the morning with a bowl in which random people dump cooked rice, I'd say that's pretty fúcking austere. Mind you, the robes are a cheerful shade of orange. And I suppose when you get upset about something political you're supposed to set yourself on fire; that's pretty hardcore.

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Meh. Monking is hanging around in an old building with a load of other fellas, tonsures, not having any carnal goings on for the rest of your life, itchy, hempen garments, a lot of silence interspersed with plainsong and haunting places for centuries after your death.

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Originally Posted by Burney

Meh. Monking is hanging around in an old building with a load of other fellas, tonsures, not having any carnal goings on for the rest of your life, itchy, hempen garments, a lot of silence interspersed with plainsong and haunting places for centuries after your death.

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That's an Umberto Eco novel. I'm talking proper monks, particularly those who follow Our Dear Leader, HHDL. :cloud9:

He must be almost dead now. I wonder who the next one will be? Exciting times.

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Originally Posted by Sir C

That's an Umberto Eco novel. I'm talking proper monks, particularly those who follow Our Dear Leader, HHDL. :cloud9:

He must be almost dead now. I wonder who the next one will be? Exciting times.

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So how does it work? Do they have to find someone who's born at the same time the old one wears out?

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Originally Posted by Burney

Meh. Monking is hanging around in an old building with a load of other fellas, tonsures, not having any carnal goings on for the rest of your life, itchy, hempen garments, a lot of silence interspersed with plainsong and haunting places for centuries after your death.

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And making beer.