Here is the way forward

Suthichai Yoon's spiritual journey from Suan Mokkh in Thailand to Plum in France has ended, but his quest for spiritual answers continues - through journalism.

 Over the past 40 years, news has been his "religion", and he's learned that, while the actors might come and go, the story remains the same.

 Nation founder Suthichai has seen lots of people, and especially politicians, try their best to avoid answering his questions. "There are no stupid questions, only overused answers," he wrote in one of his books, "Nakkhao Nokkok" ("Outcast Reporter"). 

 But at Plum - the Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh's meditation retreat in France - it was his questions that were stupid, he realised, while the answers with always intelligent.

 The monks there showed a profound understanding of Buddhism, and of life.

 "They're more knowledgeable than I am," Suthichai says. "In fact I know next to nothing when it comes to the spiritual world. I wanted to try and learn more, so I went there as a journalist, curious to find some spiritual answers to my questions.

 "My atta [self] has decreased a great deal. I used to think I knew a lot, but when I met these Buddhist intellects, I realised I knew very little about the subject. It was a happy pursuit of knowledge, though, because I was always aware of what I was looking for, and where to find it."

 Central to his sojourn at Plum were his conversations with Thich Nhat Hanh - people call him Thay, meaning "master" or "teacher". Suthichai and Thay talked about birth, life, death and rebirth.

 Thay believes we should be reborn to help others escape the wheel of karma. In this regard he stands apart from the late Buddhadasa Bhikku, who taught at Suan Mokkh that the goal should be freedom from rebirth.

 Regardless, Suthichai prizes life - this present life - the most, and that's why he's a journalist. He believes in "constructive" journalism. The reporting should be compassionate, guided by understanding and kindness. It should seek to reconcile the differences in society and foster social reform.

 But he sees that there can be no progress until individuals first undergo personal reform.

 "If you don't change yourself, the social and global problems will remain," Suthichai says. "That's because humans prefer to see other people's mistakes rather than their own."

 If social change can only come through reconciliation, Thailand currently needs political reconciliation.

At Plum, Suthichai learned this first-hand from monks who were credited with a high level of spiritual attainment. They said spiritual practice ultimately leads to reconciliation.

 Also at Plum, Suthichai met veterans and other survivors of the long war that engulfed Thay's homeland, Vietnam. They assured him that, through spiritual practice, it's possible to forgive an enemy and thus allow the wounds to heal. 

 It's this approach, Suthichai says, that Thai politicians would do well to adopt. They might become less selfish and regard people without discrimination. "This process can lead to true reform in Thailand," he asserts.

 What kind of spiritual practice would make the politicians less corrupt?

 "We have to engage them in a conversation about misery," Thay told Suthichai.

 "You need to understand that these people have their own misery, worries and stresses. If you want to help them, first you must talk about their misery and show that you understand their situation and can help them.

 "You have to try to use a new way of communication to make them less miserable and more eager to learn meditation."

 Thay insisted that, while anyone can meditate, it's wise to learn the practice from specialists, and ideally from those who'll be trained at his proposed centre for applied Buddhism.

 These specialists will be able to deal with politicians and businesspeople much better, to ease their misery, he said.

 "That is the kind of New Age Buddhism we want. We'll have more followers, Buddhism will become fresh again, and it will truly serve our society."

 This attitude instantly fascinated Phra Maha Vudhijaya Vajiramedhi, the Thai monk who writes books under the pen name as V Vajiramedhi. He's Suthichai's co-host for the documentary series still airing on TV.

 Vudhijaya also sees meditation as a way toward reconciliation in Thailand.

 "If more people turn to meditation, the country will change in a peaceful way," he says. 

 Vudhijaya cites Suthichai's substantial "social capital" as a tool for spreading the virtues of meditation, so that more Thais will be "awakened". Thai Buddhism needs more people like Suthichai, he says, since few Thai Buddhist monks are of any substance.

 "You've done a lot on the outside - now it's time to cultivate the inside," Vudhijaya implores him. "You can capture the core concept of both Nhat Hanh and Buddhadasa Bhikku.

 "It's no use if people are encouraged to hate each other - there's only harm. Why not use your social capital to persuade people to love each other, to practise meditation?"

 Vudhijaya sees potential in also harnessing the self-effacing style of his other co-host, Suthichai's son Prabda Yoon.

 "At Plum Prabda opened up to new wisdom from every culture. He's a man of well-rounded perspective. His humble disposition is an outstanding quality that's expected of a true intellect."

 Vudhijaya lamented that too many young Thai intellectuals are aggressive and ruthless, using their words to hurt others, especially those who disagree with them.

 "Prabda is not one of them. You won't change society with aggression - only gentleness, peace and sincerity. That's what we can learn from a new-generation man like him."

 

 The TV series "Zen 2010: From Suan Mokkh to Plum Village" continues on ModerNine every Wednesday at 11pm until mid-September.

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