Buddhism In Thailand

Asserting its place as one of the most practiced religions in the world, Buddhism focuses on achieving an enlightened state of mind and body. The religion, philosophy, as well as overall way of life are based on the teachings of the awakened one, Siddhartha Gautama, who first established Buddhism in India. The exact number of followers throughout the world is unknown but it is estimated somewhere in the region of 350 million.

Religious Schools

Buddhism is divided into two main religious schools: Theravada and Mahayana. Whereas the latter is mainly seen throughout China, Japan, Korea and Mongolia, Theravada Buddhism is popular amongst Sri Lankans, Southeast Asians and, of course, the people of Thailand. Practiced by around 95% of the population, Theravada Buddhism is the national religion of the Land of Smiles, and it keeps to the original practices and doctrines of the Buddha.

What Comes Around Goes Around

To the outside world, the most well known beliefs associated with Buddhism include the endless cycle of rebirth and death, as well as karma, which focuses on the negative and positive energies contained within everything we do. The basic rule of thumb is that if you do good, good will be done to you. Conversely, if you spend your spare time killing kittens and making babies cry it will come back round to sting you in the back.

The ultimate achievement in Buddhism is nirvana, which is a state achieved when the endless cycle of life and death is finally broken. It is through the Four Noble Truths that Buddhist’s understand how to satisfy this goal. The first truth deals with the burden we face through a continuous cycle of rebirth, marred by weakness and poor health. The second truth states that it is our desires in money, fame and lust that cause this suffering. The third truth informs us that doing away with our desires can end suffering. The fourth truth refers to the Buddha’s Eightfold Path, which leads to the feeling of release from this cycle. This is the ultimate aim of Buddhist ideology.

One of the most interesting aspects of Buddhism deals with the law of karma. Accomplish more good deeds than bad and you will lead a more rewarding life. Some Thai males attain their merit by joining the monkhood, even if it is for only days or months. In fact, all Thai males are expected to become monks at some stage in their lives, and this rule is generally adhered to.

Any act of kindness, even if it’s just helping someone across the street, is seen as tilting the scales of karma in your favor. Other acts include supporting advances in education, assisting the monastery, or being kind to animals.

A large part of Buddhism in Thailand deals with a deep respect for ancestors. If you walk around the streets you will start to notice shrines laid out at regular intervals with offerings of food and drink for the ghosts of the dead. What is most intriguing is that Thai people often leave red Fanta out for the ghosts. So if you’ve ever wondered what all the little bottles of red soda strewn across the streets were for, now you now.

Charitable acts towards Buddhist monks also make up part of daily life in Thailand. If you wake up early enough, you will be able to see the monks of the area walking through the streets with bowls in their hands looking for donations of food and drink. This is not for them, but for the people, as they are offering a chance to make merit. If you ever pass a market and see someone selling birds from a cage, this too is a way to gain merit. By purchasing a bird and setting it free, this is considered an act of kindness worth merit, although the motives of those selling the birds is often just to make money. Negative karma points await them, as another part of the theory of karma is that it is greatly influenced by motives. If your intentions are pure then you have nothing to worry about, but if you are acting with hidden intent then you might end up reborn as a slug.

Buddhist Temples Throughout Thailand

The number of temples throughout Thailand is vast. Located in the heart of Bangkok you will find the marble temple of Wat Benchamabophit. This Dusit district temple is considered one of the most beautiful temples in the area, bringing thousands of tourists to experience its wonder. Upon entering the ordination hall, 52 Buddha statues greet you. It is quite a sight to see each of the Buddha images, and if you explore the grounds you will find quaint little food stalls to eat at and even a secondary school full of boisterous boys who will be more than keen to try out their newly learned English phrases on you.

In Phuket, one of the most revered temples in the area is Wat Chalong. As for animal lovers, they may appreciate a visit to Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, better known as the Tiger Temple. Situated in Western Thailand, tourists flock to this location to experience closeness to the many animals on the premises. White-handed gibbons and deer roam freely, but the biggest draw comes from the tame tigers, which can actually be petted by visitors. Since 1999, the temple has taken in numerous tiger cubs, many of which were left motherless from poachers. Throughout the years, it has become a thriving sanctuary for these majestic beasts. If nothing else it makes for some great snaps to show the folks back home.

Respecting the Buddhist Temples

When you want to explore some of the cultural aspects of Buddhism, especially when visiting Thailand, there are a few etiquette rules to follow. The clothing you wear to these temples is very important. Wear the wrong thing and you might find yourself receiving a few scathing looks. No matter how bright and warm the day may be, there are a few articles of clothing to leave behind when paying a visit. Stay away from tank tops, shorts, sleeveless shirts, swimwear, mini-skirts and any other revealing piece of attire. If you slip up on any of these rules a helpful local might give you a little nudge. If you ever see a rack for shoes, do as the Romans do and take yours off.

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