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| Thai Buddhism In Daily Life |
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| It is beyond the scope of this site to do more than provide a brief overview of Buddhism in Thailand and some of the effects it has on the life of the Thai people. We feel that an outline knowledge is important if you are considering marrying a Thai partner as most Thais, 95%, are Buddhist. Whilst all religions are allowed in Thailand under Royal Patronage Theravada Buddhism is the predominant religion of the country. The earliest recorded mention of Theravada Buddhism is in the 13th Century during the reign of King Ramkhamhaeng who referred to a Supreme Patriarch or Chief Monk who oversees the Thai Sangha or Monk hood. This first recording is for a forest monk from the Southern province of what is today called Nakhon Si Thammarat. Theravada Buddhism is based on the Pali Canon augmented by the practices, beliefs and magic traditions that make it unique to Thailand. Buddhism is based on the Four Noble Truths (see below) through the practice of the Eightfold Noble Path (see below) and the daily Five Basic Precepts (see below). There are basically two types of monks, the Gamavisi or City Monks who practice the study of books (gantha dhura) and the Arannavasi or Forest Monks who practice meditation (vipassana dhura). In the early 19th Century King Mongkut, who had been a distinguished monk, was disillusioned with some of the practices of Buddhism as he interpreted the scriptures. He started a monastic reform which was known as Thammayut believing it to be a more pure form and he re-ordained monks into his way which was called nikai. Those who did not reform were known as Mahanikai and the differences between the two still exist and cause a division within the Sangha today. Nowadays most men over 20 years of age ordain as monks for a short period of time, often for the three month rainy season, and this is regarded as a step towards maturity. Males below the age of 20 may become novices. Monks are obliged to keep contact with the laity and this is most often done by way of the daily food alms round and temple festivities. Monks study not only the Buddhist doctrine but also the hierarchy of the Sangha and up to nine levels of the Pali language. The Sangha or temple school education system still exists for many Thais who do not attend a normal school and was the traditional education system prior to the establishment of state schools. The Thammayut order has its centre at Mahamakut Buddhist University at Wat Bovornives and the Mahanikai is centred at Mahachulalongkorn Buddhist University at Wat Mahathat. The word Wat means temple. Buddhist education is alive and prospering today and can be compared to the Montessori system of Western education which is based on all students being capable of learning at their own rate from their own experience and relies on hands-on or practical learning rather than purely theoretical and moves away from the rote learning methods used in most Thai schools. In this way Buddhism is not really just religious or for a particular religion, the process of self-development based on your own experience is a universal fact. Whilst some criticism has been made for the Sangha not keeping up and changing to suit modern times because it is too bogged down in tradition and internal bureaucracy there have been and still are many excellent teachers and reformers within the Sangha who strive to overcome this problem. THE 5 DAILY PRECEPTS OF THE LAITY The Thai layperson submits to the following five principles on a daily basis: 1. Not to kill any living creature. 2. Not to take anything which is not freely given. 3. Not to indulge in sexual misconduct. 4. Not to use incorrect or inappropriate speech. (This does not just mean bad language but also anything which could hurt the feelings or sensibilities of others including the Eastern idea of loss of face.) 5. Not to use intoxicating drinks or drugs which lead to misbehaviour. On Holy days another three precepts are adhered to: 6. Not to eat after 12.00 noon. 7. Not to indulge in singing, dancing, going to see entertainment or beautify the body in any manner. 8. Not to sleep on a high or luxurious place. THE 7 DAYS OF BUDDHA Traditionally it is believed that Buddha spent seven days following his enlightenment thinking of the suffering of all living creatures and how unimportant his life was prior to reaching enlightenment. Thais are superstitious and believe that their day of birth reflects their life and there are seven Buddha images to reflect each day of the week. SUNDAY  The Day of Restraint. This image shows Buddha standing with the right hand covering the left and represents the period when he had reached enlightenment. Respectable, wise, loved by friends and family. A person born on this day is likely to be in a professional occupation. Lucky day is Wednesday and lucky colour is green. Unlucky day is Friday and unlucky colour is blue. MONDAY  The Day of Making Peace. This image represents the Buddha standing with his right arm raised in a pacifying gesture. Serious with a good memory and a love of travel. This person is likely to be in a skilled occupation whose lucky day is Saturday and lucky colour is black. Unlucky day is Sunday and unlucky colour is orange. TUESDAY  The Sleeping Day. This image of the Buddha lying on his right side signifies his passage into Nirvana and the death of his physical body. This person is serious, brave and active most probably in the services. Their lucky day is Thursday and lucky colour is yellow. The unlucky day is Monday and the unlucky colour is white. WEDNESDAY According to Thai astrology Wednesday is divided into day and night.  The Morning is for Receiving. This image shows Buddha holding an alms bowl. This person is polite, artistic and emotional. Most likely working creatively. Wednesday night is their lucky time and the lucky colour is green. The unlucky day is Tuesday and the unlucky colour is pink.  The Evening is for the Blessed One. This image shows Buddha seated to receive gifts from a monkey and an elephant. As Buddhism teaches respect for everything living this posture shows the respect of all living things for the Buddha. This person is hard working and honest. Likely to be employed in a profession with the lucky day of Monday and the colour white. The unlucky day is Thursday and the unlucky colour is yellow. THURSDAY  The Day of Meditation. This image depicts the classic meditation position with both the soles of the feet and palms of the hand visible. In this position the body is receptive to energy entering via the palms or the top of the head. This person is peaceful, calm and honest. Likely to be a teacher or in the legal profession. The lucky day is Sunday and the lucky colour is orange. The unlucky day is Saturday and the unlucky colour is black. FRIDAY  The Day of Contemplation. This shows the Buddha thinking about how he can teach the doctrine to others. The hands rest across his chest with the right hand covering the left. This implies meditation and a spiritual transformation based on personal experience. This person is fun loving, friendly and ambitious. Probably an entertainer or public figure. Their lucky day is Tuesday and the lucky colour is pink. The unlucky time is Wednesday night and the unlucky colour is light green. SATURDAY  The Day of Protection. This shows the Buddha in meditation and protected from tempest by the King of the Naga. Mucalinda, a coiled snake. The Naga appears since ancient Egypt as a force of good and is even used today as a symbol of medicine amongst other things. This person is calm, logical and a bit of a recluse. Very likely engaged in manual work of a skilled nature. There lucky day is Friday and the lucky colour is blue. The unlucky day is Wednesday during the daytime with the unlucky colour of green. LUCK AND MAGIC IN THAI DAILY LIFE The Buddha expressed himself logically and encouraged his followers to listen to the words of teachers, including himself, but not to blindly follow. Instead he encouraged people to learn from their own experience to generate compassion and avoid self-delusion. Buddha images are to be revered for what they represent but not to be worshipped themselves. In Thailand it is normal to see lottery tickets for sale outside Buddhist temples and some monks gain short lived fame for their ability to foretell lucky numbers. Some people believe that making merit or praying will bring them luck or even that some charms are lucky or will prevent them from harm. It is normal for a car or motor bike owner to bring his vehicle to the local; temple to be blessed in the belief that this will protect them from accidents. This is based on tradition but in total contrast to the teaching which says that everything in life depends on cause and effect, that if you wish good things to happen in the future you should do good things now. As westerners may say what goes around comes around. In Buddhist philosophy everything is in a sate of constant change and nothing is permanent. Re-incarnation is part of the belief and everyone must go through this several times before reaching the plateau of nirvana. The fact is that all images and charms should only be credited with having inspirational power. Briefly the underlying logic of Thai Buddhism is explained below. THE THREE CHARACTERS OF EXISTENCE 1. Dukha. This may be explained as suffering, dissatisfaction with your life, unhappiness, anxiety. It means something is missing from your life and this gap is natural, how you perceive and deal with it are more important than the fact it exists. 2. Anicca. This means impermanence. Nothing in life is permanent, all things change for better or worse. We are powerless against natural forces. 3. Anatta. The self or soul does not exist. We are subject to many different temporary, impermanent, conditions such as sickness or work situations. We have to adjust to the conditions we find ourselves in or dukha will surely follow. We are not as others see us and others do not see us as we think they do. THE FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS 1. Dukha happens. 2. Dukha has a cause. 3. We can put an end to dukha. 4. There is a way to put an end to dukha and that is to follow the Eightfold path. THE EIGHTFOLD PATH 1. Proper understanding. 2. Proper thought. 3. Proper speech. 4. Proper action. 5. Proper livelihood. 6. Proper effort. 7. Proper mindfulness. 8. Proper concentration. The above should be thought about, meditated upon, rather than explained in order that you can find your own way to nirvana. The answers are normally found within yourself and the Three Jewels. THE THREE JEWELS OF BUDDHISM 1. The Buddha. 2. The Dhamma (teachings, philosophy, experience). 3. The Sangha (here being used to refer to the entire Buddhist community of monks and laypersons). IN SUMMARY Theravada Buddhism is not a religion into which you are baptised or join. You are Buddhist if you say you are. There are no Sunday services to attend and no set times to pray. It is entirely flexible and it is up to the individual to adjust themselves to reach the goal of Enlightenment by the way in which they live their lives and by their actions and consideration of others based on the above precepts which may be viewed as signposts towards the ultimate goal. As a matter of interest the Thai Buddhist Year (BE) is often used within Thailand, it runs from 1st January to 31st December and is 543 years in front of the Christian (AD) calendar. So 2000 AD is 2543 BE. Buddhists believe that the current phase of Buddhism will last 5000 years. The astrological chart Year of the Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Ram, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig, Rat, Buffalo lasts 12 years and 12 years equals one cycle. Hence the Thais celebrate every cycle with vigour. To find your Chinese sign you can look it up or calculate it from the following list of AD Years: Tiger 1938,1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 Rabbit 1939,1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 Dragon 1940,1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 Snake 1941,1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 Horse 1942,1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 Ram 1943,1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 Monkey 1944,1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 Rooster 1945,1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 Dog 1946,1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 Pig 1947,1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 Rat 1948,1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 Buffalo 1949,1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 DISPLAY OF BUDDHA IMAGES In virtually every house, shop and business premises in Thailand you are likely to see a Buddha image displayed in addition to a photograph of the King of Thailand. Buddha images are displayed as a reminder of how life should be led. The feet of the image are always above eye level and higher than any other image in the room. The height is a reminder to refrain from pride and ego. Individuals often wear Buddha images as a reminder of the way of life and some people believe that they act as charms to protect the wearer or bring good fortune, which is not the purpose of them. Thais living outside Thailand usually wish to display at least one Buddha image in their home and this belief should be accepted even if the religion and reasoning is not understood. For those with a deeper interest in Buddhism and its effect on Thai daily life we recommend the following website: http://www.thaibuddhism.net The following are Thai Temples in the UK: Wat Buddhapadida, 14 Calonne Road, Wimbledon, SW165HJ. Tel: 020889461357 Wat Buddharam, 347 Cann Hall Road, Leytonstone, E113NL. Tel: 02085342138. Wat Buddhavihara, 5 Hampton Road, Aston, Birmingham, B66AN. Tel: 01215151518. Wat Sanghathan, 107 Handsworth Wood Road, Handsworth Wood, B206PH. Tel: 01215515729. Wat Charoen Bhavana, Gardner House, Cheltenham Street, Salford, M66WY. Tel: 01617361633. Wat Pah Santidhamma, Lower Fulbrook, Sherbourne, Warwickshire, CV358AS. Tel: 01926624385. Wat Amaravati, Great Gaddesden, Hemel Hempstead, HP13BZ. Wat Aruna Ratanagiri, Harnham, Belsay, Northumberland, NE200HF.  Orchid of Siam are authorised to provide immigration advice and services by the Immigration Services Commissioner Ref. No. F200500016. Members of the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association. |
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