“My first exposure to Buddhism was through Tibetan Buddhism. Could you please comment on what you think are the essential differences between Tibetan and Thai, or Suan Mokkh, Buddhism? Would reading books on Tibetan Buddhism only confuse what we have learned here?”

“My problem is that over the last few years I’ve spent much of my free time alone. Nothing wrong with that. And even though I have tried to capture the positive points of myself during this time, there is this strong feeling lurking in the background that I am not whole, or that I am less complete due to not having a meaningful loving relationship in my life; family excluded. If it matters I am not promiscuous. Any suggestions or methods to alleviate this feeling? Or gain a stronger sense of self?”

“Buddhism specifies that there is no self at all, no permanent center in anything, nothing that does not change. But isn’t the element of consciousness, which is found in all living things, that unchangeable center? And though it may not be called the self, as ego is self, it is in its purified form that found in Nibbāna, the essential spirit of all living things. So while we do not contain self, while the self is illusion, spirit is not. We contain spirit, spirit is real.”

“Do you think traveling around the world is just an escape from your responsibility for the society you’re involved with?”

“How would Buddhism approach the problem of addiction? Whether it be alcohol, drugs, food, or other forms such as gambling?”

“‘Do good and get good, do bad, get bad.’ But some people do bad things and get good. Please advise on this?” 

“Do you think it is wise to introduce our friends or family members who have such strong problems that they need years of psychotherapy to come back to a normal, what means peaceful life to the Buddhism, to meditation, or to both? Could that help far away from a Buddhist country? Which way of doing this would be best? Should we give them books about Buddhism or meditation? Should we discuss what we learned about? Should we send them to Thailand? Or what should we do?”