Talking with Phra Pandit: Is Having Everything the Same as Desiring Nothing? (2.16)

Continuing with our Buddhism series, we welcome Phra Pandit, a
Brit who has been a monk in Thailand for the past 20 years and is
a noted lecturer on Buddhism, dhamma, and psychology. Desire - or
the lack of it - is one of the key themes that the Buddha taught
his followers. But as we find out in this very interesting
discussion with Phra Pandit, it's not as easy as saying "I can do
without those cool new pair of shoes."


(Direct download .mp3)


(Direct download .mp3) Since Evo is off galavanting around
Europe, Greg talks to Pandit about what it means to have nothing,
how it feels to want nothing, and why having or wanting nothing
doesn't necessarily make you a better Buddhist than someone who
has everything. Indeed, Greg poses a question - when someone has
more money than they will ever use, things that are valuable
to the 'average' person - like an iPhone - become almost
meaningless. Since this person places no great value in craving
the iPhone, or grief when he loses it - is that a similar state
of mind as not desiring an iPhone? It's a great conversation
about exactly what desire is - and how wanting something isn't
always a bad thing. Phra Pandit also gives a shoutout to his
friend Marisa Cranfill (a previous guest on the Bangkok Podcast),
one of the foremost (non-Thai) experts on Thai spirit
houses. She will be giving a seminar later this month about this
topic, where you can finally learn the answers to the big
questions: why is red Fanta left out more than other drinks?
Why do zebras get left so often? Why are some houses supported by
one pillar, and others four? Head to www.littlebang.org to read
more about Marisa's speech on Saturday January 28th at the Rojana
Center. And since this episode airs a few days before Chinese New
Year, Greg - who lived in Yaowarat, Bangkok's Chinatown, for 4
years - gives his advice for really getting the most out of a
visit to one of Bangkok's most interesting neighborhoods, and the
center of the city's Chinese New Year celebrations. And just for
an extra visual, here are the incense sticks that Greg talks
about. Note the dudes on the bottom left for scale. You can also
follow the Bangkok Podcast on Facebook, or Evo and Greg on
Twitter.