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PILC learns about Buddhism
Elfi Seitz
At the last lunch meeting of the Pattaya International
Ladies Club (PILC), Thor Halland from Great Britain was the guest speaker.
Right before the excellent buffet was served, he gave a very interesting and
detailed lecture about Buddhism and especially about Buddha’s life.
 Sharon
Tibbitts, president of the PILC welcomes Thor Halland.
Thor, who is himself a Buddhist, told of how Buddha, the
rich son of a king in India, but dissatisfied with his life, suddenly
decided to leave his wife and his child and wander through the land in order
to find himself and the true meaning of life through meditation. Alone and
without worldly possessions he finally sat under a tree where he meditated
and fasted for 40 days. Then, so the story goes, a peasant woman approached
him and offered him something to eat. That was the moment Buddha found
enlightenment.
The
ladies are memerised by Thor’s talk on Buddhism
His fame spread more and more, and he became a very
famous teacher. Many people came to see him, among them many were of his
later followers, who wanted to learn from him and so they followed him
everywhere.
For the next 40 years Buddha travelled all over India and
taught his rules, wherever he went. By this time he had collected more and
more people who followed his teachings. After his death at a great age, his
fame spread across India.
Thor Halland explained to the attentive women about the
different forms of Buddhism, as they appear in all of Asia and now also in
the western world. At the end of his lecture the ladies an opportunity to
ask their eager questions.
Sharon Tibbitts, president of the PILC, was as usual an excellent hostess
and taught the ladies about the newest workshops and activities of the club.
And of course again this time nice prizes were raffled, before the event
ended.
An Indian wedding to remember
by Cupid
There is nothing more memorable than an Indian wedding.
It is such a colorful affair - be it the food, the dresses, the jewelry,
the music, or all the sorts of traditions that make it an unforgettable
experience.
 The
Sikh priest blesses the newlywed couple.
Sunday, August 22 saw the wedding of Adisorn Singh, son
of Surin Singh of Siam International Pattaya, with Jyoti, daughter of
Balbir Singh Madan, an established businessman from Nakhorn Phanom, at the
Sikh temple in Bangkok.
For those of you who don’t know, Indian weddings take
up almost an entire week. The first function is the lady Sangeet, where
the women of both families get together for a session of singing religious
hymns. This is followed by the Mehendhi ceremony. This is a beautiful
Indian tradition when exotic cultural designs are drawn on the bride’s
hands and feet. The custom is becoming very famous all around the world.
 The
happy couple pose with the groom’s sisters.
This took place at Bavarchi, an Indian Restaurant in
Suan Lum Night Bazaar. The day before the wedding saw the Sehrabandhi
attended by more than 600 people, when the groom received blessings from
his family. From that evening on he is not allowed to return home unless
he bring the bride along with him. The celebration took place at Sheraton
Grand.
It was an exciting party with lots of dances by family
and friends. Finally the big day arrived when the couple actually tied the
knot. The next day was the Muklawa, dinner hosted by the bride’s family
at Novotel Lotus Sukhumvit.
The weeklong celebrations then finally came to an end. Relatives and
friends of the family from near and far attended the whole affair.
Everyone is invited to
the shopping event of the year right here in Pattaya
PILC Holiday Bazaar, October 9, 2004, Siam Ballroom, Royal Cliff Beach
Resort, 10 a.m. - 4.30 p.m.
The PILC Holiday Bazaar has gifts for all occasions,
which can be selected from some of the finest products in Thailand! The
Royal Cliff will be providing a cafe service and there will be a colouring
contest and entertainment for children ages 5 to 13. There will again also
be a parcel claim where you can leave your purchases while you continue
shopping!
All proceeds from the raffle ticket sales and the bazaar
itself will go directly to PILC Welfare Projects in the local community. The
Holiday Raffle tickets will be on sale on the day of the bazaar until 1 p.m.
Once again there is a large selection of excellent prizes on offer and the
winning tickets will be drawn in the afternoon of the bazaar. Tickets are 50
baht each or 500 baht for a book of 12.
For more information on the bazaar contact Arlette Cykman
on 038 416 133.
Global Buddhist community to condemn ‘blasphemous’ advert
A senior Culture Ministry official in Thailand has called on Buddhists
across the world to send emails in condemnation of a movie flyer depicting
actor Philippe Caland sitting astride a Buddha image.
The advertisement for the film ‘Hollywood Buddha’
shows US actor and director Caland sitting on top of the Buddha image’s
head, considered by Buddhists to be the most sacred part of the body.
Describing the advert as “horrific”, Vice Minister
for Culture Weerasak Khowsurat said that it appeared to be intentionally
blasphemous. He also accused the director of deliberately trying to drum up
controversy as a mean of gaining extra publicity for the film due to open in
US movie theatres on September 24. “Tourists might do such a thing out of
ignorance, but this is a deliberate bid for notoriety”, he said.
Urging Buddhists and members of all religions across the
world to launch a protest against the adverts, Weerasak cautioned against
using any methods that might inadvertently create extra publicity for the
film.
Advocating contact with the director and the movie
company by email, letter or telephone, he expressed hope that heavy protest
would dent the company’s reputation.
The Religious Affairs Department will meet to debate the
advertisement on September 24-25, with the leaders of all religions in
Thailand invited to attend. (TNA)
Despite rainy season – the “Stammtisch” continues
Peter Nordhues
The regular Stammtisch meeting, organized by the German
Thai Chamber of Commerce (GTCC), was not put off by the rainy season and met
at the regular hour at the familiar place. On Friday, September 10, the Moon
River Pub welcomed a lot of members and guests from Bangkok and Pattaya to
the traditional Stammtisch.
 Rene
Pisters, GM of the Thai Garden Resort and Janine Tillmans seem charmed by
Dr. Paul Strunk’s words.
After a long period away, Dr. Paul Strunk, executive
director to the GTCC, again came to the meeting, and he presided over the
opening, giving a funny speech. “Despite the rainy season, a lot of
members and friends of the GTCC didn’t mind the weather and came all the
way from Bangkok. We came with a big bus and are happy to enjoy the
conclusion of the working week here in Pattaya. Our favorite pub, the Moon
River Pub, has, as usual, excellently prepared this evening. I had the
chance to taste this delicious buffet in advance, and I recommend that
nobody misses it,” he said.
 Thorsten
Spiering, Helmut Buchberger, Rainer Roessler enjoying the
‘gemuetlichkeit’ at the Moon River Pub
This didn’t have to be said twice, and after a moment
the buffet, a sumptuous mix of Thai and European food, was set upon by
hungry guests. But the fine dinner was not the main reason for the meeting.
More important was the opportunity to exchange thoughts and ideas and share
experiences among the business people who were present.
That’s why many were lucky that Dr. Strunk attended the
event, because he gave answers to questions from first hand experience. He
is a business lawyer with many years of experience in international trade.
The Thai media is continually questioning his thoughts and ideas about
commercial and political trends.
But also the entertainment inspired the participants.
“Re-bounce”, the Moon River Pub house band, elated everyone with their
lively rhythms and created a groovy mood. The band has become famous in
Pattaya, but unfortunately it’s leaving the city after the end of this
month.
The German Thai Chamber of Commerce has about 500 members; Thai as well
as German companies. Anyone interested in details about membership or
activities can contact the GTCC at tel. (02) 670-0600, fax (02) 670-0601 or
email [email protected]
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