Bangkok Post Kriengsak Niratpattanasai Column.

Byline: Kriengsak Niratpattanasai

Nov. 2--Over the past few years, I have taken an interest in New Age trends, reading many books, mostly by New Age gurus from the United States. After reading several of them, many friends suggested that I also read some Thai books on Buddhism. I took their advice and was enlightened -- what today's gurus preach is almost the same as the principles behind the thoughts of Lord Buddha.

There are many good books available, but unfortunately for non-Thai readers, most are in Thai only. However, one book I liked contains text in Thai, English and Chinese. Its title in English is Handbook for Mankind, originally presented as a series of lectures delivered to would-be judges in May 1956 by the late Buddhadasa Bhikkhu.

One chapter in particular impressed me, as it described the "three universal characteristics": impermanence, unsatisfactoriness (suffering) and non-self. These three characteristics were aspects that the Buddha stressed in his teachings more than any others. Overall, I found this book particularly interesting and unlike typical religion books.

I admit that my knowledge about Buddha's thoughts is limited. I am learning. However, even with only little knowledge, I have seen ways to apply the teachings in day-to-day business life. Lord Buddha taught us many principles, with which most Thai Buddhists are quite familiar. They include the principle of karma and the Five Precepts (sil ha) that taught people to:

--Avoid killing;

--Avoid stealing.