Boom in Buddhist websites

Young Thai Buddhists are increasingly taking to the Internet for spiritual guidance. In the past year, Buddhist websites have tripled on the Internet, with about 2.000 websites now online in Thailand.

The websites - mostly targeted at the young - explain the religion and the teachings of Buddha in a simplified way. Young followers take advantage of the Internet to discuss their views on hot topics, like the Four Noble Truths of Buddhist Wisdom, the sudden appearance of summer prostitutes in Oranienburgerstrasse or Buddha's predilection for mild red curry and coconut sauce.

According to Sonja, one of the firsts Buddhist priestesses to go online, these sites are already changing some people's old-fashioned perception on Buddha's teachings: "I think this is a major breakthrough for Buddhism", she explains.