The book '10 Zen Tales and 10 Zen Riddles' is authored by Bhikkhu Buddhadasa and published by Sukhaphap Jai Publishing House for 115 baht. Sometimes the deepest teachings appear in the simplest stories. Zen Buddhism employs a unique teaching technique called "pointing directly at the mind," which directs instruction straight to the heart, enabling listeners to experience sudden realization or a rapid flash of insight and attain the Dharma instantly. Zen tales represent one of the widespread and popular teaching methods in contemporary Zen Buddhism. This book is the fourth discourse in the ethics guidance series, originally titled "Spiritual Entertainment for Ethics," which Ajahn Buddhadasa delivered to teachers at the Teachers' Council Auditorium on January 14, 1962. It was later published in Dhammakosanat volume 18 under the title "Buddhist Ethics." The current volume comprises 10 Zen tales accompanying the lectures, some of which may be familiar, such as the tale of overflowing tea. Ajahn Buddhadasa emphasizes that Dharma tales are essential as educational tools for teaching ethics to children and youth, as they make learning enjoyable and engaging while allowing young people to absorb the teachings naturally. Beyond the 10 Zen tales, the book also contains 10 Zen riddles with verses composed by Ajahn Buddhadasa based on Zen images from the Mokkhabhavan Spiritual Theater to help readers understand these riddles more easily. The Zen riddles include themes such as "The Sound of the Bamboo Flute Returns to the Bamboo Thicket," "Bowing to the Buddha Image," and "The Earthworm Writes a Letter to Humans," which invite readers to consider truths beyond their habitual thought patterns. All stories in the book are short, concise, and easy to read, yet they leave space for readers to discover meaning independently, which is the essence of Zen learning. It is hoped that this book will be suitable for teachers, students, and all those interested in Zen who wish to apply its teachings to their daily lives.

Maha Sarakham Municipality, working with the Maha Sarakham Provincial Culture Office, organized the Bun Sao Ha festival (the Seventh Lunar Month Festival) at the Kan Tharawichaya Mondop chapel in the municipality area of Maha Sarakham Province from June 8-10, 2569 (2026). The event drew large crowds of government officials, merchants, students, and residents.

For the 2569 celebration, Maha Sarakham Municipality commissioned the creation of sacred commemorative coins titled "Buddha Coins, Vitarka Mudra Edition—Precepts and Virtue Series."

The coins were created to commemorate the Bun Sao Ha festival and to generate donations supporting the Maha Sarakham Long Drum Association, local cultural events, and educational scholarships for high-achieving students.

The coins are rectangular in shape. The front features the Buddha standing in the Vitarka Mudra pose—also called the teaching or preaching stance—with both hands raised to chest level and fingers forming a circle. Two disciples stand on either side with palms joined in respect. The back features a sacred inscription reading "In commemoration of Bun Sao Ha, continuing the destiny of Maha Sarakham Municipality, B.E. 2567."

Production numbers are limited and include the following materials: gold (custom orders), 20 Maha Sethee sets; 9 silver coins; 100 alpaca metal coins; 100 new metal coins; 500 gold-plated bowl coins; 700 fire-finish copper coins; 100 bronze coins; and 400 lead coins for distribution.

The Buddhist consecration ceremony took place at the Kan Tharawichaya Mondop on June 10, 2569 (2026), attended by respected Buddhist monks held in high regard by local devotees, including Luang Ta Gaap (Wat Ban Uparat) and Luang Pho Monunchay (Wat Pa Sattadham), among others.

Venerable Dhammavichira, Special Advisor to Region 9's Buddhist hierarchy, lit the ceremonial candles to begin the rite. Luang Pho Monunchay extinguished the candles, officially concluding the ceremony.

Following the consecration, all the sacred coins were presented to Venerable Thepvichiranyansunthon (Luang Ajarn Suriyan Kothaparnya of Wat Pa Wang Nam Yen, Maha Sarakham Province) and Venerable Thepvachiravidyakum (Luang Ajarn Tom Apassaro of Wat Tha Saebng, Roi Et Province) for individual mental consecration rites.

Given the virtuous intention behind the creation of these coins, the presiding monks approached the consecration with sincere determination, instilling confidence in the spiritual power of the coins. Those interested may contact Maha Sarakham Municipality.

Saturday, August 8, 2025, marks the 47th anniversary of the death of Luang Pho Chan Khosokhit of Wat Had Song Khwae in Tron District, Uttaradit Province, a venerated scholar-monk deeply respected by the people of Uttaradit.

Born on March 14, 1897, as Chan Treeput on a Monday during the eighth lunar night of the fourth lunar month at Had Song Khwae village in Tron District, Uttaradit, to parents Nai Ki and Nang Bua Treeput, young Chan was a well-behaved, obedient child who caused no trouble to his parents. He showed deep compassion for his friends and all living creatures—so much so that the family sometimes went hungry because the boy would secretly take the fish his father had caught for food and release them into the Nan River out of pity.

He spent most of his free time at the temple learning to read, write, and recite sacred texts with the monks until evening. In those days, formal education was not compulsory as it is today; most learning depended on personal initiative and study with the clergy at temples. Chan was an eager learner with a keen interest in Thai and Khmer texts from an early age, and he reportedly recited prayers alongside the monks with remarkable fluency.

Recognizing his dedication to religious study, his parents arranged his ordination as a novice in 1910 when he was 13 years old. This young novice became known for his diligence and ability to fluently recite the Patimokkha and the Chin Banchon chants.

When he reached military conscription age, he was not selected for service, so with his parents' permission, he was ordained as a full monk at Wat Ban Kaeng Tai in Ban Kaeng Sub-district, Tron District, in 1919. Luang Pho Vichiyanpannya Muni (former provincial ecclesiastical chief of Uttaradit) was his preceptor, Luang Pho Pum Chantsaro, abbot of Wat Khlung Krach, served as his teacher of conduct, and Phra Khru Methavorakun (Phra Khru Mi), abbot of Wat Ban Kaeng Tai, was his witness.

He spent his annual retreats at Wat Had Song Khwae, studying Pali and Sanskrit scriptures. He also traveled to Wat Khlung Krach across the water to study and practice preaching with Luang Pho Pum, who became a renowned preacher throughout Uttaradit Province. He further studied Khmer linguistics and texts under Luang Pho Pum and Luang Pho Thongkham of Wat Tha Thong in Wang Kapi Sub-district, Mueang Uttaradit. According to tradition, Luang Pho Pum and Luang Pho Howb of Wat Samakkayaram had once journeyed to study Khmer texts under Luang Pho Ngern of Wat Bang Klang in Phichit Province, and part of their learning also came from Khmer texts from Viang Chan.

When asked about his purpose in studying Khmer, Luang Pho Chan always replied, "I study to help my fellow humans."

Eventually, he was appointed abbot of Wat Had Song Khwae, where he oversaw monks and novices and supported the lay community for many years. He ordained numerous disciples as novices and monks. Through his disciplined conduct and compassion toward his students and relatives over the years, he earned great respect. His creation of sacred amulets and talismans that brought devotees happiness, prosperity, and protection from misfortune further enhanced his reputation as one of Thailand's renowned scholar-monks.

On December 5, 1957, he was granted ecclesiastical promotion to the rank of Phra Khru with the royal title Phra Khru Nawakaan Khosokhit.

He commissioned several series of amulets, including his first edition in 1948 distributed to kitchen staff, amulets from 1961, amulets from 1973 (Friday edition), and amulets from 1977 (80th anniversary Saiyid edition), along with other sacred objects such as black and white photographs (1-inch size and postcard size), lockets, molded busts (5-inch chest size), and male and female golden lucky Gilaen amulets from the second series, as well as sealed yantra Buddha amulets.

Prepare yourself for a tale filled with love, loyalty, and revenge in the intense action-drama-romance "Two Hearts," produced by Hong Thannidit Chantaeksit from Hok Sai Aew Company, featuring explosive action sequences and emotionally gripping drama.

Superstars Nadech Kugimiya and James Ma headline the cast. Nadech plays Obb, a powerful and influential boxing camp owner who rose from the shadows, while James Ma portrays Dom, a temple boxer given a secret mission to infiltrate Obb's bar. Amanda Chalisa Abdram stars as Fon, a skilled police sniper who is Dom's wife and Obb's first love. The supporting cast includes Tae Decha, Top Totsapol, Smith Phasawitch, Ong Sittanat, Boy Phisanu, Gap Jakarin, Pop Sirrat, Ja Ja Dandao, Chom Sukol, and Kai Supranee, directed by Krisanu Amphlod.

"Two Hearts" is based on a screenplay by Petchpayathorn, adapted by Chayanan. The story follows Obb and Dom, two men willing to die for each other, whose bond runs deeper than brotherhood—yet both men's hearts belong to the same woman. Fon has always been Obb's first love, the woman he works tirelessly to build a future with, but she is now Dom's wife, the one for whom he sacrificed everything. Each loves differently, each remains unaware, and each must suffer. Only the heart can decide.

Nadech shared his thoughts on the role: "Obb is a character I really love because he is clear about his love, loyalty, and vengeance. This story has both action and drama that touches emotions. It's not just about love, but also explores the relationships between characters with reason. Every decision has consequences."

James Ma spoke about Dom: "He is a temple boxer facing a major turning point in his life. This role is very challenging because I had to train in boxing and understand a complex character—a good man caught in a stressful situation. I hope fans will be excited to follow Dom's journey."

Amanda added: "Fon is a sniper police officer who is skilled, decisive, and tender with those she loves. This is my first time firing a real gun and doing serious action scenes. I hope everyone will watch because you'll see a very different character."

Watch "Two Hearts" every Monday and Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 3, premiering Tuesday, August 11, on TV Ch. 33, online at 3Plus, and on Netflix with replays at 10:30 p.m.

Khon Kaen PAO is moving forward with organizing a new election for provincial governor on September 27, with candidate registration open from August 17-21 and a budget allocation of 70 million baht. According to Pongchet Porkuna, acting provincial administrator and director of the election commission, the plan was announced on August 7 after the Regional Court of Appeal issued a judgment ordering a new election in a case between the Election Commission and former challenger Wattana Changhlao, citing violations of local election law. The court has instructed that the new election be completed within 60 days of the judgment issued on August 6, which falls on October 4. To comply with regulations and budget cycles, candidate registration was set for August 17-21 with voting scheduled for September 27. Officials expressed confidence that more than 70 percent of Khon Kaen's 1.8 million eligible voters would participate. The election is open to all qualified candidates, including the previous provincial governor and all prior candidates, provided they meet eligibility requirements and do not violate established regulations.