Thailand is a full on Buddhist country, there is a small Hindu and Muslim community and an even smaller Christian community.
The religion is more a part of people’s daily lives in Thailand than being a Christian is in the UK. At least one day of the week seems to be a “Buddha Day”, meaning that the monks cannot leave the temple (Wat).
Most Thai men at some point in their lives become Monks; Nuch’s Brothers did it for three months and three weeks. Sometimes seen as a way of getting out of the Army or in some cases getting out of family responsibilities.
As far as I can tell, Buddha was an Indian bloke, who one day around 2500 years ago went off into the wilderness and after lengthy meditation achieved enlightenment, were he became one with the universe. I quite like the aspect of Buddha being a man and not an all seeing God.
Thailand’s calendar is taken from when Buddha achieved enlightenment, in Thailand the year is 2549.
The religion is based around the Wat (Temple), as you drive around Thailand you come across Wats like you see Church Spires in the UK, these are little communities in themselves, with homes for the monk, places of worship and Schools. Most morning you will see Monks walking round the community collecting food and giving blessing.
Like Christianity there are several types of Buddhism. Indian, Thai, Chinese and Tibetan. All maintain a standard belief in the achievement of enlightenment and reincarnation.
It seems a fairly cool religion and does not conflict with any other religion, unfortunately in the deep south of Thailand, Buddhists do seem to be targeted as easy prey by the Muslim Insurgents, and so the unflappable image of a Buddhist will soon be tested.
The religion is more a part of people’s daily lives in Thailand than being a Christian is in the UK. At least one day of the week seems to be a “Buddha Day”, meaning that the monks cannot leave the temple (Wat).
Most Thai men at some point in their lives become Monks; Nuch’s Brothers did it for three months and three weeks. Sometimes seen as a way of getting out of the Army or in some cases getting out of family responsibilities.
As far as I can tell, Buddha was an Indian bloke, who one day around 2500 years ago went off into the wilderness and after lengthy meditation achieved enlightenment, were he became one with the universe. I quite like the aspect of Buddha being a man and not an all seeing God.
Thailand’s calendar is taken from when Buddha achieved enlightenment, in Thailand the year is 2549.
The religion is based around the Wat (Temple), as you drive around Thailand you come across Wats like you see Church Spires in the UK, these are little communities in themselves, with homes for the monk, places of worship and Schools. Most morning you will see Monks walking round the community collecting food and giving blessing.
Like Christianity there are several types of Buddhism. Indian, Thai, Chinese and Tibetan. All maintain a standard belief in the achievement of enlightenment and reincarnation.
It seems a fairly cool religion and does not conflict with any other religion, unfortunately in the deep south of Thailand, Buddhists do seem to be targeted as easy prey by the Muslim Insurgents, and so the unflappable image of a Buddhist will soon be tested.
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