Wednesday, September 25, 2013

The Santi Asoke Buddhist Reform Movement

The Santi Asoke Buddhist Reform Movement Of Thailand

This image was taken during the fascist People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) anti-government protests of 2008.

These 8 nuns were sitting on the footsteps leading up to the Makhawan Rangsan bridge waiting for a senior monk. He was listening to speakers on the stage setup directly on Ratchadamnoen Avenue in front of the United Nations compound in Bangkok. The nuns were sitting in various stages of impatience.
The Santi Asoke (สันติอโศก) was established by a former television entertainer and songwriter Phra Bodhirak after he "declared independence from the Ecclesiastical Council in 1975".
He had originally ordained within a monastery recognized by the Thai Sangha, but soon left with a small following to form this group, which he sees as a mixture of both Therevada and Mahayana Buddhism.
Described by Donald Swearer as "a radical sectarian movement" that "reflects the forest tradition's ideals of simplicity", the tradition also claimed an early influence from Buddhadasa, which it later rejected. 
Asoke later turns to play a part in politics. Phothirak has taken part in several anti-government protests, including that of the Yellow Shirts against Samak Sundaravej in 2008. - Wikiepdia

Moments after this photo was taken they realized that they were being photographed and their composure changed sharply.




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Saturday, September 14, 2013

Amsterdam City Revisited


Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme
Classic Dutch Architecture
Amsterdam is such a great city. One of my own personal favorites. Having made one earlier visit during the 1990's, I have been eager to return ever since. I was working in neighboring Switzerland at the time so I booked a flight and spent a long weekend in Mokum. The flight was quick and uneventful. I arrived at Schiphol and quickly made my way to the station under the airport. I arrived at Amsterdam Central Station and saw this view as I stepped off the train.



I arrived late in the evening just as the sun was setting behind one of the imposing cathedrals next to the central train station. I stepped out of central station to encounter this scene on the Damrak.


Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme
Evening crowds on the Damrak
As you walk down the Damrak you will see a line of buildings off to your left across the canal where they park the tourist boats.

Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme
Reflections from canal

There were numerous street festivals going on. People were drinking en mass on boats in all of the canals.


Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme

Beautiful blue skies behind the Royal Palace and Obelisk in Dam Square near the Amsterdam Central Station.

Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme


Boats line this quiet residential neighborhood not far from the Museum district in Amsterdam. A cathedral tower rises in the background.


Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme

Beautiful mansions  along sides of a major canal near the Vondelpark and Museum districts. I really enjoy exploring old European cities, especially the ones which survived the world wars. I enjoy the reflections on the canal water.

Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme

The stone cathedrals, palaces, statues and sculptures from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries are connected by watery bands lined with beautiful, mature trees.


Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme

The water and green space promotes a sense of tranquility among the hectic bustle of city life. The city planners control and prevent change rather than exploit it. The canals are relatively clean compared to the ones around my home in Bangkok.

Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme







The bells on the bicycles rang incessantly. One would expect that collisions between wheels and pedestrians would be more common but there remains a sense of order & rhythm arising from the chaos.

Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme

Bicycles parked in front of a headshop in the red-light district. These head shops sell practically everything. The Dutch are a very progressive people compared to the rest of the world.

Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme

Sex is everywhere in this city. The red light district offers something for practically everyone. The narrow city streets puts all involved parties within close proximity of each other.


Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme

Amsterdam street art on local shop house. Strange, colorful splashes of creativity among an medieval city. The Condomerie (Condom Store) and GreenDayz Coffee shops on the Warmoesstraat road.

Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme
Warmoesstraat 141, 1012 JB Amsterdam, Netherlands

The city is lit quite beautifully at night. Tourists come out in droves to take photos of all the landmarks around the city's biggest squares.

Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme

The boats, bicycles, cars, trams and trains keep the city buzzing with an eclectic sense of movement.
Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme

The city is rich in history and works of art can be found prominently displayed all over the city.

Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme
Keystone artwork under a bridge in Vondelpark. The Vondelpark is 120 acres of beautiful nature located west from the Leidseplein and the Museumplein..

Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme

Overlooking the noisy scenes and nightlife around the Warmoesstraat.

Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme

Steep staircase in typical Amsterdam building

Amsterdam, Holland 2013 © Michael LaPalme


Explore Amsterdam Yourself



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