May I respectfully suggest that The Nation reconsider using "Buddhist Lent" as a translation of pansa?
"Lent" is a Christian term designating the forty days preceding Jesus' resurrection. Traditionally it was a time of penance devoted to prayer and fasting. More recently, people have taken to the practice of giving up something (maybe alcohol, tobacco, or meat) during Lent.
Unless I'm mistaken, pansa is the Thai translation of the Pali word vassa. It refers to the rainy season, during which Buddhist monks remain in their monasteries, devote themselves to study and meditation, and do not venture abroad. The Buddha originally prescribed this practice because householders complained that the monks sometimes stepped on rice seedlings, small creatures and insects when walking about during the rainy season.
The term "Buddhist Lent" is misleading. Pansa and Lent were established for different reasons, prescribe different activities, and represent different worldviews. Buddhism has its own rich vocabulary. It should not have to borrow terms from Christianity or any other religion.
Traditionally pansa and vassa have been translated into English as "the Rains Retreat" or "the Rains Residence". Terms like "the Rains Retirement" or "the Rains Seclusion" might also be used. Perhaps Buddhist scholars can suggest better translations. Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with either the Thai or the Pali word.
William Page
Samut Prakan
Eurocentrics, Thaksin and Oliver Cromwell
Re: "Khun Sumet, please give us the details", Letters, July 25.
I feel obliged to respond to Guy Baker, in reference to Eurocentrics, Khun Thaksin and Oliver Cromwell.
I have myself been accused of being a Eurocentric, which is a fair assessment since I regard England and France as my alternative homes. But that is the romantic part from my childhood background. The serious part is that we now have to live in a world that has changed into a pluralistic society in which the Western yardstick does not always apply to world events.
The second point concerns former PM Thaksin, who actually holds a doctorate degree in criminology from a reputable American university. He cannot be the "shadow" PM since he is not in the "shadow" cabinet. Related to this point, I do recall Guy Baker's spirited attack on the government (Nation letters, July 2) as consisting of "a bunch of over-educated fools", no doubt in reference to Oxonians. Well, I don't know what David Cameron has to say about this.
The third point concerns Oliver Cromwell, Mr Baker's hero. Well, he actually went up to Cambridge, which was the hotbed of republicanism, and I have it on good authority, a friend who happens to be a descendant of the Lord Protector, that with the Restoration he was dug up from the grave, quartered and beheaded. His head was impaled on a spike outside the city gate of London and was eventually smuggled by family members to his old college, Sidney Sussex, where it is hidden today somewhere under the stone floor of the chapel.
Sumet Jumsai
Bangkok
No end to spurious law suits
The Criminal Court has accepted a defamation suit filed by Thaksin Shinawatra. Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is quoted as having said: "A convict named Thaksin will never give up ... He will try in every way to take Thailand as his personal property."
Since when did telling the truth become a crime?
John Shepherd
Bangkok