Buddhists welcome promotion of Phra Payutto

The Bangkok Post, 11 Dec 2016

Outsider is highly regarded for his contribution to Buddhism

Bangkok, Thailand -- His Majesty the King presided over an annual ceremony on Monday to promote senior Buddhist monks in the cleric ranking system.

<< Phra Prayudh Payutto has been promoted.

Among the 159 promoted monks, Venerable Bhikkhu P A Payutto received the title Somdej Phraracha Khana, the second-highest position after Supreme Patriarch in the ecclesiastical nine-tiered hierarchy.

Speaking to his followers after the appointment on the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday, Bhikkhu P A Payutto told his followers to feel grateful to the late King Rama IX for his contribution to Buddhism.

He also said humbly that much of the work to promote Buddhism at the temple came from his Buddhist followers as he has not done much in recent years due to his poor health. He told people to treat him the same way they always had.

Widely called Phra Prayudh Payutto, his appointment was unexpected. "Phra Maha Prayudh Payutto was an outsider from the administration of the monks' governing body, even though he is widely respected and revered for his discipline and intelligence," said Phra Palad Wisarut Thirasaddho, a monk from Wat Thumkaocha-ang Temple in Kanchanaburi who formed a network of progressive monks on Facebook.

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Story of Buddhism (53)

I didn't need to read all the books in the world

Donating Dhrama

A mp3 player with dramna files

December 20, 2016 01:00 By PARINYAPORN PAJEE THE NATION

A group of generous volunteers is distributing mp3 sets with audio files of prayers and mantras to the sick and underprivileged

Dhrama texts have long been known to soothe the minds and spirits of the sick, whether they are bedridden, in palliative care or terminally ill and nearing death. For those who are in severe pain, physically reading the texts is often not an option. Caregivers can help out but all too often do not have the time. Now, though, help is here through the advent of dharma audio books.

The initiative, known has Wittayu Boon (literally merit radio) consists of a pocket mp3 radio player containing dozens of dharma audio book files. These are now being distributed to hospitals for use by patients, mostly on palliative care or ICU wards, on a loan basis at no charge.

North-east Buddhist retreat backed by planners

by Ryan Cryle, Evening Express, 17 Dec 2016

Aberdeen, Scotland (UK) -- Proposals to turn a cottage on the outskirts of Aberdeen into a monastic retreat have been backed by planners despite fears over traffic.

Varapunya Meditation Centre submitted plans to Aberdeenshire Council to change a residential property into a place for Buddhist teachings.

Planned by Venerable Sujan, the new base, at Easter Mains Cottage between Kingswells and Westhill, will include ancillary woodland,a meditation garden and two summer houses.

Harvard Has a Free Online Course on Buddhism That You Can Take Right Now

by Paul Ratner, Think Big, December 4, 2016

If you wanted to learn more about Buddhism, but needed an easy and authoritative resource, you are in luck. Harvard University made a great course on the religion available online for free.