Thailand Theravada Buddhism

18 May 2010

Theravada, practised by about 90% of the citizens of Thailand, is one of the two major branches of Buddhism. According to its followers, life consists of attaining karma and undergoing successive reincarnations.

Thailand | Buddhism is first and foremost contemplation, meditation and concentration (by h-k-d )

If you have merited good enough karma your previous incarnation, in your present life you excel, and fortune favours you. People possessing power or great wealth deserve their fate thanks to excellent karma. The poor and unfortunate must have broken many moral rules in their previous life, for which they are being rightly punished now. This extraordinary social harmony - accepting one’s fate and the desire to live a sanctified earthly life – are ensured by the religion Thai people espouse - Theravada Buddhism.

By living according to The Buddha’s „Four Noble Truths, you are able to break the cycle of reincarnations and achieve the ultimate aim – nirvana. Thai people can help to accelerate the achievement of this aim by living an active religious life - frequent visits to wats (temples), making offerings, and praying in front of the portrayals of the Enlightened One, and also taking care of and showing respect to the monks (feeding them and inviting them to important celebrations like weddings). Places of prayer and congregation can be visited by the faithful any time night and day – there aren’t any fixed services but only meetings and teachings you can pray individually and also talk freely with the monks and seek advice or help from them.

The Four Noble Truths revealed by the The Buddha.

1.    There is suffering
2.    The cause of suffering is craving
3.    The suffering can be overcome by eliminating craving
4.    Craving can be eliminated by following the eightfold path

The path leading to ultimate enlightenment and fulfilment presupposes the right, sanctified attitude to specific perspectives: views, intentions, speaking, actions, life, aspirations, concentration and meditation. If all these elements are “correct” you will have the chance to liberate oneself from the fetters of craving and this leads straight to nirvana.

Thailand | Reincarnation presupposes the possibility of rebirth in another body (by alles-schlumpf )

Elements of religion can be observed in all aspects of everyday Thai life. Most holidays and festivals have a religious character. Faith and the rituals are an inherent part of life for the Thais – and a real attraction for the tourists. The variety of Buddhism here is syncretic, so also connected with Hinduism. According to Buddhism, good deeds ensure a successful next life. In earthly life, in turn, solving everyday problems and achieving desired aims is helped by Hindu deities (they are brought flowers, incense and food) and nobody sees a contradiction in this. The deities tend to be friendly towards people but you have to seek the favours of phi (spirits), e.g. by building them special houses.