Main religion of Thailand– Thai Buddhism. About 95% of the kingdom's total population professes this religion. The teachings of Buddha underlie the entire religion, and Thais live by its laws. Buddhism literally surrounds you everywhere in the kingdom, you can see many temples and Buddha statues around.

Of course, religion has a huge impact on the lives of the population in all areas. Buddhist holidays are considered public holidays for all citizens. Buddhism is the official religion of the country.

History says that...

Buddhism appeared in what is now Thailand around the third century BC. Missionaries from the city of Nakhom Pathom spread this religion throughout the kingdom. Now in the founding city there is one of the largest statues of Buddha. Thai Buddhism is one of the branches of teaching and its rituals are quite simple compared to other forms of Buddhism.

The state is headed by kings and the Thais love and respect him very much. It is considered one of the national symbols of the country. The king, of course, is considered a leader and also professes Buddhism.

Attention! In Thailand, you cannot disdain religious holidays and speak poorly of rituals. Insulting the crown is considered a national crime. In order to avoid trouble and have an uneventful vacation, it is strongly recommended to respect all temples and Buddha images.

There are approximately 32,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand. Each community goes to its own temple, and most of the monasteries are located in small settlements. Buddhist temples are considered among the most beautiful in the world.

The temples are completely open to everyone who wants to visit them, so if you want to take part in the religious life of the country, you can make a donation if you wish. It is recommended to come to the temples early in the morning to see all the beauty and participate in the activities.

What is important to know about prohibitions

Important! Women are not allowed to touch the monk. And even if she accidentally touched his clothes, he would have to quickly undergo a purification ritual. In addition, even one's own mother is not allowed to touch her son if her son is a monk. If you want to give alms to a monk, you can do it through any man who is nearby, and if there is no such man nearby, then you can simply put it on the floor next to him.

You cannot visit temples in shorts and be sure to cover your shoulders and knees when entering the temple. It is best to take care of your appearance in advance. When entering the temple, shoes are completely removed, in addition, you need to completely take off your shoes even if you enter a house where there is any image of Buddha.

It is prohibited to use mobile devices in churches, or to wear a headdress (hat or cap, or wear glasses).

Many temples have their own greeting signs for the monks; it is best to watch people from the outside in front of the temple before going inside. Repeat everything after those who profess this religion.

The position of the feet in the temple is very important; you need to carefully ensure that the toes do not point to any image of Buddha. Many visitors simply fold their legs under them and sit on them so that their socks are not visible at all. You cannot turn your back to Buddha; you need to be very careful when leaving the temple so as not to accidentally violate this condition.

Hello, dear readers – seekers of knowledge and truth!

Anyone who has been to Thailand, even in its most touristic place, has probably noticed how religious the Thais are: statues and images of Buddha are literally everywhere. And the pointed spiers of Buddhist pagodas here and there rise above the city, giving a special flavor to the area. Without such cultural relics, the appearance of the country would be unimaginable.

Today we invite you to talk about Buddhism in Thailand. This article will briefly tell you what features it has, which monuments in the form of temples and statues should be given special attention, how Thai monks live and how religion affects the everyday life of ordinary people.

We invite you on a virtual journey towards the sun, sea and inexhaustible philosophy!

Features of Thai Buddhism

Buddhist philosophy is accepted here at the level of the state religion. This is not surprising: ninety-five out of a hundred Thais consider themselves Buddhists. By law, even the king must certainly be one of them.

The history of Buddhism in this territory dates back to before the formation of the Thai state. The formation of a unified philosophy owes much to his missionary subjects.

If we talk about a certain branch of teaching, then “southern Buddhism” reigns here, as in the Sri Lankan, Laotian, Burmese, and Cambodian lands. This direction includes philosophy - the oldest of all other movements.

The peculiarity of the southern worldview is that believers treat Buddha not as God, but as an ordinary person, a Great Teacher. He managed to achieve enlightenment, thanks to him the laity can follow his path, therefore the prince from the Shakya family is worthy of respect and veneration.

They become an indirect tribute to the Teacher.

The basis of Thai Buddhism is the belief in cause and effect and laws. Everything we have now are the fruits of our past thoughts and actions, even from previous incarnations. And what we do at the moment will have consequences in the future.

The main goal of existence is liberation from suffering through enlightenment. It will help you break out of the series of rebirths by stopping the rotation. The main obstacle to liberation is our own attachments, desires, passions, so first of all we need to get rid of them.

Religion quite strongly influences the state and municipal government of the country. The sangha, the Buddhist community, decides a lot.

It, in turn, is divided into many administrative units: from large provinces to individual monasteries, of which there are over thirty thousand throughout the country. The management of the monastery has a special council, which, in addition to the abbots, includes the most influential people from the local population - the city elite, philanthropists, and representatives of culture.

The capital Bangkok is home to the distinctive Buddhist universities Maha Makut and Maha Chulalongkor. The headquarters of three important religious organizations are also located here:

• World Fellowship of Buddhists;
• Buddhist Association of Thailand;
• Association of Young Buddhists.

The scope of their activities is incredibly wide: they propagate the fundamentals of the Teaching and instill love for it through television, online communities, newspapers, magazines, and hold holidays, festivals, and conferences.

To Buddhist places

There are countless places of worship in Thailand represented by temples, or, as they are called here, wats, pagodas, stupas, and giant statues. But we will name the main ones, which can be added to your own “to-see list”.

White Temple in Chiang Rai

Locals call it Rong Hong. It is rather an exception to the rule, a phenomenon of surrealism among the colorful Thai pagodas. The snow-white facade of Rong Hong looks more like the residence of the Snow Queen, a palace covered with snow and frost, than a haven for Buddhist statues.

White Temple in Chiang Rai

But one cannot even argue with the fact that the creator of the temple is an extraordinary person. He created a modern masterpiece that is a must-see.

Temple and statue of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok

It is located not far from the residence of the King and is considered his property. The emerald statue on a golden pedestal is not known for its size - it is a little more than half a meter.

Emerald Buddha statue in Bangkok

But every season the little Buddha changes his clothes made of gold - of course, the monks help him in this, and sometimes the monarch himself.

The most famous cultural attraction of the most famous resort town in Thailand. It is located on the top of Mount Pratanmak.

Big Buddha statue in Pattaya

In addition to the main golden statue, here you can see Buddhas in different roles: ascetic, fat man, couch potato, rich man. Nearby there is a small wat where three Buddhas will help overcome health problems.

Wat Chalong in Phuket

The largest island in the country is also famous for its beautiful collection of several buildings with a rich exterior, truly Asian architecture, an adjacent flowering garden and incredible aromas that take you away from the tourist world.

Wat Chalong Monastery in Phuket

Life of Thai monks

The unusual Thai tradition is similar to military duty, with the only difference that young people have no choice but to temporarily become a monk. Temporary monastic vows are mandatory for all boys in the kingdom, even members of the royal family.

In the monastery they rise with the first rays of the sun, do a little meditative practice and go out into the streets to collect alms - this tradition is called “Bintabat”. Monks with jugs in markets, near shops, shops, houses are a common occurrence.

Interestingly, in Thailand, monks cannot cook their own food - they have the right to live only on alms in the form of food and money.

At around nine o'clock in the morning, breakfast begins in the monastery - without tables, on rugs, on the floor. It is curious that at first only monks can eat, and only then parishioners. Lunch follows the same pattern. After lunch, the monks are not allowed to eat - only water, milk and herbal tea await them.

The rest of the time they delve into the teachings, study, and meditate. This is their main task, and society provides everything they need.

Everyday life through the prism of Buddhism

The Buddhist tradition permeates every day of the average Thai. In schools and universities, even secular curriculum subjects touch on the basic concepts of Buddhism in one way or another. Every more or less important event: a birthday, a wedding, a funeral, buying a new house, selling a car, starting your own business is associated with certain traditions of Buddhism.

Thanks to their knowledge of the laws of karma, Thais approach life calmly and philosophically: all troubles are just working off karma, there is no escape from them. But to succeed in the future, you need to earn good karma.

To achieve this, Thais try to live a happy life according to Buddhist canons. They do good deeds, try to maintain purity in their thoughts and deeds, and refuse violence, lies, alcohol, and drugs.

And, of course, they try to appear in pagodas as often as possible, give offerings to the monks, read mantras. The number 3 has a special meaning here. Arriving at the temple, local residents approach the altar, bow three times and place three candles. The symbolism of the three is not accidental: it personifies the Teacher, his dharma and followers.

The Buddha tradition is the “heart” of the local way of life. Maybe this is why many Thais are so good-natured, smiling and friendly.

Conclusion

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Thailand is a mysterious, unusual and attractive country. There are not only magnificent beaches, warm seas, smiling residents, strange ladyboys and spicy food. There is also a completely different religion here, based on external canons completely different from Christianity. Let's try to lift the veil of secrecy a little and find out how the Thais live.

What is on their mind and what principles they adhere to in their personal lives.

The official religion of Thailand is Buddhism. Moreover, one of its oldest and most conservative branches is Theravada. It is professed by about 94% of all residents of the country.

It is this branch that has spread throughout Southeast Asia, including the Siamese Peninsula, the territory of which Thailand occupies.

Most Russians have only a vague understanding of the basics of Buddhism. We will try to popularize them.

Buddhism - translated from Sanskrit means "teaching of the enlightened one"(buddha dharma). How did it appear and what was it? There are two versions that do not contradict each other.

In the 6th century BC, the northern provinces of India suffered serious economic, cultural and political cataclysms. A different order of class relations began to take shape. It was at this time that a layer of people appeared who preached a different worldview. The people began to listen to them.

In 560 BC, the royal son Siddhartha Gautama was born into the Shakya tribe. Even before his birth, his parents were predicted that their son was destined to experience a lot of suffering and they decided not to let him leave the palace. He got married and had a son. But the prediction came true. One day, a young man got out of the palace and encountered death, disease, and poverty reigning on the streets.

All this amazed the rich young man so much that it turned his mind upside down. And at the age of 29, Siddhartha Gautama became a wandering hermit. He dreamed of finding the causes of human suffering and helping people get rid of them.

For 6 years he wandered, tried various spiritual practices, spent a lot of time in reflection, meditation and prayer. One day, enlightenment descended on him, and he understood the answers to all his questions. From this moment the countdown of Buddhism as a religion begins. Siddhartha Gautama began to be called Buddha (enlightened one).

Briefly about the basics of Buddhism

The Buddha's teachings are based on 4 pillars:

1. A person is born and spends his entire life in suffering.
2. Suffering is brought by desires, passions, bad thoughts and actions. The more a person is attracted to feelings and worldly goods, the more he suffers.
3. Liberation from suffering comes from the desire for nirvana - the highest state of the soul.
4. Nirvana can be achieved by purifying karma during the process of rebirth of the soul and incarnations in this world. Karma is purified by renouncing evil in actions and thoughts, and from bad inclinations. By doing good deeds, worship, vegetarianism and much more.

If a person did more good deeds in this life, his karma brightens and in the next life he can count on "raise". Accordingly, karma works the other way around. Vladimir Vysotsky spoke very schematically and cheerfully about Buddhism in "Song about the Transmigration of Souls".

Buddhism has many schools and interpretations. Monks have been studying it for decades. The mere fact that this religion spread throughout the Earth and became one of the main world beliefs speaks of its significance and high influence on the minds of people.

Religious holidays in Thailand

All religious holidays in Thailand are celebrated according to the lunar calendar. Therefore, they have floating values ​​- different every year.

• February 11 - Makha Bucha - day of remembrance of 1250 disciples of the Buddha, to whom he showed the path to enlightenment.
• May 10 - Visakha Bucha - the day of birth, enlightenment and death or transition to nirvana of the Buddha himself.
• July 9 - Asala Bucha - the holiday of the first sermon and monastic retreat of the Buddha. Coincides with the start of the three-month rainy season throughout Thailand. Some religious Thais, along with the monks, leave during this period "to the shutter" for 3 months. Weddings are not celebrated at this time.
• July 10 is the beginning of Buddhist fasting.
• August 07 – All Souls Day. In some provinces it is also celebrated as Hungry Ghost Day or simply Spirit Day. On this day, it is customary to remember those who were not buried according to Buddhist traditions, whose souls do not find peace.
• October 05 – Pavarana – Festival of Lights. This day marks the emergence of Buddha from monastic seclusion. And also the end of the rainy season.
• October 16 is the end of Buddhist fasting.
• November 4 - Anapanasati - the day of acquiring the teachings of breathing (meditation) of the Buddha. On the same day Loy Krathong is celebrated - translated means "sail the boat". Residents organize colorful processions, light candles, smoke incense, and launch krathong boats into the water, in which they place their cut hair and nails. They bring the boat to the forehead and pray that all problems will go away from life.
• November 18 - Procession of Elephants - Dedicated to the fact that Buddha once gave the example of a wild elephant, which is paired with a tamed one to teach obedience. People also learn spiritually under the guidance of experienced mentors.
• December 25 is Bodhi Day, the tree of enlightenment under which Buddha acquired his teachings.

Many of these days are non-working public holidays. On such days, Thais try to indulge in meditation and prayer. In churches and monasteries throughout the country, services and processions with candles and incense are held. Sometimes something like carnivals are organized with national dances and the carrying of epic figures and models of temples.

Important point. During religious holidays in Thailand it is prohibited to sell alcohol. The ban most likely will not affect tourist sites, but you need to keep this in mind.

Religious objects

Those who have been to Thailand have probably seen snow-white temples with dark roofs. On their territory, in addition to Buddha statues, you can see various figures of people, animals and characters from religious epics - demons, guardians, etc. The Golden Stupas are another impressive sight.

It is not customary to enter temples wearing shoes, or without covering your shoulders, knees and chest.

Every house, shop, hotel has a small temple or statue of Buddha, which residents decorate with flowers and, passing by, raise their folded hands to their foreheads. Like ours, in temples they light candles and smoke incense.

Modern Buddhism

From the outside, Buddhism looks very romantic, but life, as always, makes its own adjustments. Thais are quite religious, but just like everywhere else there are observant rituals and "believers in the soul". Thais do not always become Buddhist monks because of spiritual dictates. In remote villages and in poor families, boys are sent to a monastery in order to somehow give them a chance to learn and become an educated person.

Those who were not able to be placed in a monastery can be sent to "rework" like a girl. Girls have no chance of studying at the expense of the monastery, but there is an opportunity to earn money in a less chaste way.

Other religions in Thailand

As we said, 94% of Thais profess Buddhism, approximately 4% profess Islam - mainly in the southern provinces bordering Muslim Malaysia. About 1.5% of the population are Christians of any denomination (Orthodox, Catholics, Lutherans, Baptists, etc.). The remaining 0.5% are Hindus, Jews and other small groups.

We hope that our article helped you understand a little about the religion of Thailand.

Have a nice trip!

In Thailand, the official religion is Theravada Buddhism. This religious and philosophical teaching is based on understanding and accepting the world as it is. The main goal of Thai Buddhism is to be able to find yourself outside the three worlds, in Nirvana. To do this, we need to go around our life, the world of joy and the world of grief.

Buddhism in Thailand deeply penetrates the life of every Thai from birth. Everything that surrounds a small child in the first years of his life is in one way or another connected with the Buddha and his good instructions.

Every respectable, believing Thai follows all the instructions of the Buddha, so that after the worldly cycle of life, he finds himself in that very nirvana, going into favorable oblivion.

Thanks to such an optimistic and kind faith, for the most part, local residents are friendly, open and unperturbed. By the way, in our time such characteristics are becoming rare.

Features of the religion of Buddhism in Thailand

On the streets of Thailand you rarely see those who are in a hurry and fussing somewhere. The Buddha's teaching emphasizes the transience of life. Teaches you to be able to feel all its facets, subtle moments and branches from a positive point of view.

To some extent this irritates Europeans and representatives of other religions. With such relaxation, it is very difficult to “deal with” the Thais and build any kind of financial relationship. Unlike our compatriots, a Thai will not be upset that he was late for an important meeting or let a group of people down because of his slowness. Of course, this state of affairs is influenced not only by the Buddha, but also by the impressive heat, “melting” the body and personal qualities.

The meaning of Thai Theravada Buddhism

As mentioned earlier, Thais are immediately given a life goal at birth - to live the worldly path as sinlessly as possible, not to stain their karma, and to achieve nirvana. For monks, this path will be a little shorter than for an ordinary local resident. The monk is not distracted by everyday problems, having the opportunity to find himself in nirvana a little faster.

Nirvana - according to the beliefs of Thai Buddhism, is a state of weightlessness, enlightenment and a feeling of bliss. There is no place for negative emotions, problems and experiences. One calmness, lightness and peace.

Unlike other forms of Buddhism, Thai Theravada believes that the Buddha is a real person who has achieved that very state of nirvana. Before he passed into oblivion, he left some instructions, later called the teachings of the Buddha.

Thanks to this realistic state of affairs, Thais do not rely on a mythical character, only on their own achievements. In Thai Buddhism there is no place for sins that can be prayed for, actions that can be smoothed out through alms to God.

As a comparison, let's talk about a branch of Buddhism - Mahayana. This level of religion is recognized in Tibet, Mongolia, and somewhat in Japan. Unlike the Thai worldview, here Buddha is considered God. You can turn to him and atone for your guilt by coming to the temple and making a donation.
Knowing such subtleties about religion in Thailand, you can take a moment to look into the soul of a local resident, understand their views on life, and find explanations for some of their actions.