Talk:Buddhadasa

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[edit] NPOV issues

Edits to this article on Jan 15, 2007 and Oct. 12, 2007 entered a number of NPOV issues. Specifically, statements like "He cannot however be flippantly consigned to the contested category Theravada, neither even classified as a Buddhist monk. He traditionally submitted to Siamese government-regulated ordination rituals but never admitted to the legalist primacy of any so-called Theravada sub-cult" MUST have a reference to support them. If a reference to a reliable source can not be found, then the information can not be placed here.--Alabamaboy 02:17, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

I have taken the above constructive comments by Alabamaboy to heart and altered my text in some accordance. I would appreciate any further feedback. I delete the use of Thai script as (i) few can read it, and (ii) it is already dubious as it says Buddhadasa BHIKKHU. Bhikkhu is a title, not a name. The point could get sticker if we question why Buddhadasa's "legal" monastic name is not insisted upon; for Buddhadasa was the name that the subject gave himself, a common practice in Siam and today in Thailand. Any discussion of Buddhadasa needs to bring out everything that stood against him, and not to merely--indeed, flippantly, use his bio-sketch as a opportunity to rehearse Thai culture. Finally, what can be said concerning authoritative or reliable source? I lived with Buddhadasa and personally interviewed him about these things. Pardon me for breaching any standard marks of decorum here. This is my first attempt at wikipedia editing. Tantidharo 04:19, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

Unfortunately, first-hand knowledge like that isn't considered a reliable source unless it has also been published in magazines, newspapers, or books. For more on this, see Wikipedia:Reliable sources and Wikipedia:Citing sources. I like what you've added but feel it needs a little work to be NPOV. Specifically, while your quote on Buddhadasa's "no religion" beliefs are dead on correct, he was considered a Buddhist monk and the article should say that. I'll try to merge what you have with the older info and see if we can get NPOV wording here. Let me know what you think. Best,--Alabamaboy 17:50, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

BTW, it is customary to retain the foreign spelling of names even if most people can't read it. Wikipedia style also puts the birth and death dates in () after the name. I have also followed WIkipedia style and sumarized the article in the opening lead and moved most of your extended info to the main article.--Alabamaboy 18:01, 17 January 2007 (UTC)