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Buddhism in Thailand

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Title: Buddhism in Thailand


1
Buddhism in Thailand
  • Presented by YCEP Group at
  • Wat Buddhavas Temple

2
What is Buddhism?
  • The name Buddhism comes from the word 'budhi'
    which means 'to wake up' and thus Buddhism is the
    philosophy of awakening.
  • This philosophy has its origins in the experience
    of the man Siddhartha Gotama, known as the
    Buddha, who was himself awakened at the age of
    35.
  • Buddhism is now 2,500 years old and has about 300
    million followers worldwide.
  • Until a hundred years ago Buddhism was mainly an
    Asian philosophy but increasingly it is gaining
    adherents in Europe, Australia and America.

3
The Life of the Buddha
  • In the year 563 B.C. a baby was born into a royal
    family in northern India.
  • He grew up in wealth and luxury but eventually
    found that worldly comforts and security do not
    guarantee happiness.
  • He was deeply moved by the suffering he saw all
    around and resolved to find the key to human
    happiness.

4
The Life of the Buddha
  • When he was 29 he left his wife and child and set
    off to sit at the feet of the great religious
    teachers of the day to learn from them.
  • They taught him much but none really knew the
    cause of human suffering and how it could be
    overcome.
  • Eventually, after six years study and meditation
    he had an experience in which all ignorance fell
    away and he suddenly understood.

5
The Life of the Buddha
  • From that day onwards, he was called the Buddha,
    the Awakened One.
  • He lived for another 45 years in which time he
    travelled all over the northern India teaching
    others what he had discovered.
  • His compassion and patience were legendary and he
    had thousands of followers.
  • In his eightieth year, old and sick, but still
    happy and at peace, he finally died.

6
The Main Teachings of the Buddha
  • All of the many teachings of the Buddha center on
    the Four Noble Truths, just as the rim and spokes
    of a wheel centers on the hub.
  • They are called 'Four' because there are four of
    them.
  • They are called 'Noble' because they ennoble one
    who understands them.
  • They are called 'Truths' because, corresponding
    with reality, they are true.

7
The Four Noble Truths
  • The First Noble Truth is that life is suffering.
    To live, you must suffer.
  • The Second Noble Truth is that all suffering is
    caused by craving. When we look at psychological
    suffering, it is easy to see how it is caused by
    craving.
  • The Third Noble Truth is that suffering can be
    overcome and happiness attained.
  • The Fourth Noble Truth is the Path leading to the
    overcoming of suffering. This path is called the
    Noble Eightfold Path.

8
The Noble Eightfold Path
  • Perfect Understanding
  • Perfect Thought
  • Perfect Speech
  • Perfect Action
  • Perfect Livelihood
  • Perfect Effort
  • Perfect Mindfulness
  • Perfect Concentration

9
The Noble Eightfold Path
  • The Buddhist practice consists of practicing
    these eight things until they become more
    complete.
  • The steps on the Noble Eightfold Path cover every
    aspect of life the intellectual, the ethical and
    economic and the psychological and therefore
    contains everything a person needs to lead a good
    life and to develop spiritually.

10
Buddhism in Thailand
  • The Thais are a deeply religious people.
  • For the Buddhist majority it underlies all
    activities and is the backbone of the Thai
    culture - a culture that has survived intact and
    independent for so long largely because of the
    principles of the Buddhist faith.
  • Ninety percent of the population are Theravada
    Buddhists.

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12
Thai Buddhism Beliefs
  • The Theravada school of Buddhism is based more
    purely on the teachings of Gotama Siddartha
    (Buddha) without the refinements added on by
    later monks.
  • It is non individualistic philosophy which
    preaches that the suppression and eventual
    extinction of the ego are the only way to be
    content.
  • Almost all Thais believe in reincarnation,
    hopefully to a higher form of life, leading
    ultimately to the achievement of nirvana.
  • To this end they make merit by doing good
    deeds.

13
Common Ways to Make Merit
  • Giving money to beggars
  • Releasing caged birds
  • Giving food to monks who do their early morning
    alms round
  • Most males will do a spell (although generally
    only a few weeks) as novices in a temple
  • This brings merit to the family, and is expected
    of all boys once they reach the age of eighteen
  • Within the temple, they will be trained in
    Buddhist history and philosophy, the paths to
    enlightenment and the principles of meditation.

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15
Buddhist Monks
  • Buddhist monks must be treated with respect.
  • Monks cannot touch or be touched by females, or
    accept anything form the hand of a woman.
  • Rear seats in buses are reserved for monks other
    passengers should vacate these seats when
    necessary.
  • Never stand over a seated monk since they should
    always remain at the highest elevations.
  • The services of monks are requested for every
    occasion.
  • For example, new houses or cars should be blessed
    to bring good luck nine monks are required for a
    marriage, and three days of chanting mantras by
    a group of monks is normal at a funeral.

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17
Buddhist Temples in Thailand
  • In Thailand, a temple is much more than a place
    to worship.
  • The wat is the center of village life, serving as
    a school, orphanage, theatre, meeting hall,
    crematorium, youth club, playground - even
    sometimes a market, political center or
    restaurant.
  • Although ones behavior must always be correct
    and polite in a temple, there is no feeling of
    remoteness or superiority.
  • It is a repository for all aspects of the life
    and spirit, as well as the spirituality of the
    community it serves.

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