Buddhism is the backbone of Thai society. Whatever political point of view one has, whether one is a Red Shirt or Yellow Shirt (both groups are puppets of a power struggle between monarchists and other elements) or like the vast majority of Thais simply trying to make a living, the Buddhist community (the "Sangha") provides a common ground. I've written about this subject before and will return to it frequently, looking at various aspects, spiritual and temporal. Another dimension is academic. Scholarship is fundamental to Buddhism partly because the Lord Buddha Himself taught his followers that the path to enlightenment is understanding. Indeed the word "enlightenment" could be considered as synonymous with an understanding of how life really is, here and now. The Lord Buddha said, if you don't understand what I'm teaching, ask questions; if
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