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Thais are intensely religious. For the Buddhist majority, faith defines devout fervour as much as cultural behaviour. Buddhism is the motivator and essence behind Thailand’s traditions and way of life. The Theravada Buddhist believe that existence equates suffering, suffering is the cause of desire, consequently by eliminating desire through reflection, an ideal condition of non suffering -- called nibbana (nirvana) -- can be achieved.
Thailand includes around 200,000 Buddhist monks, their daily life an assortment of material sacrifices that regular individuals may regard as purgatory on earth.
Young novice boys are often sent to monasteries by their parents as otherwise they wouldn’t be able to afford an education; however, for the most part, boys decide on monastic life on their own; children as young as10 can attend a monastery and begin training to become monks.
The sound of temple bells awakens residents at 4:30 in the morning on a regular day. Getting on the saffron robes is no easy task as it may be worn four different ways using different folds and twists with the cloth. At 5:00 and at 6:00 AM occupants draw together for morning chanting followed by group-meditation; Buddhist monks worship twice daily.
At sunrise, they venture on their alms-rounds collection, following specific itineraries or routes, generally walking in pairs, going barefooted in rural areas, but in Bangkok sandals are needed as streets are hazardous. In suburban neighborhoods, people gather by the roadside laden with food bags and boxes as they pause for the clerics to pass by. As the monks approach people automatically lower their heads in a sign of respect as they hand their gifts.
In busy city areas, especially before holidays, monks are seen loaded with bags as they walk in nearby street bazaars. All food is finally delivered to the monastery's kitchen, where it will be prepared and used for daily sustenance.
Monks never beg or ask for food directly on their alms-round; they accept whatever is given in silence. The alms-round is primarily a way to give the general population an opportunity to make merit as well as receiving some assistance for the monasteries.
The monks’ first meal is served early and soon after returning from their alms round; sitting on the floor, older monks eat companionably in smallish groups while newer monks and novices eat spread-out in a long line along the walls; group prayer reiterates that nourishment is a necessity to keep-up bodily function, and food consumption is not for social enjoyment. Meals are taken in absolute silence; good manners and propriety are a top priority. Monks lead a caring, considerate, and selfless existence throughout their lives. They share great respect for each other and for all living things.
Monks’ daily chores include hand washing their robes and cleaning common monastery areas and living quarters before joining classes in the temple’s school buildings to pursue studies of the old Pali language, and Dhamma which is the name for Buddha's teachings.
Close to the noon hour, a thunderous temple drum announces the second and last meal of the day. From now until tomorrow's sunrise no food will be consumed.
Occasionally, people drop by with food items and other worldly necessities such as toothpaste, soap, etc. In the cool months, blankets and sweaters are most welcome. If a special item is needed, perm
ission to go shopping can be requested. Bus fare is free to monks as is most medical care and medication. In most cases people providing the services (shop keepers, doctors, etc.) will take care of monks’ bills which increases their progression on the path to merit making.
Making merit, or tham boon, is essential in Thai Buddhist society and it provides a humanly conscious way to filter the mind of all imperfections: self-indulgence, greed, materialism, selfishness. As the mind gets liberated, good deeds become increasingly effortless, developing into worthy building blocks on the path toward spiritual enlightenment and soul immortality. This societal merit-making practice grants the general population a way to make the sustenance and survival of monks possible.
Monks however, don’t just subsist with donations; they are important counselors and Dhamma teachers serving people with their everyday life problems. Besides providing guidance, monk services are habitually required to give blessings and bring chanting to weddings and funerals; new homes and cars also need to be blessed to bring good luck and auspiciousness to their owners.
In Thailand, there seems to be an intermingling of philosophies, superstitions, religion and animism (a conviction that all things, such as forests, hills, buildings, rocks and bodies of water, have living souls) inspiring spiritual fervour.
As a ‘making merit’ society, opportunities abound not only in the monastic world, but also in the orphanages for the multitude of young and old who are chronically ill or handicapped in different ways. Monks make their own merit by assisting people or fellow monks in need; yet, most of their merit-making is achieved through daily meditation and the teaching of Dhamma.
Afternoon hours are spent in routine temple tasks and responsibilities; also studying; sitting, walking or standing meditation. By sundown monks assemble in their community room for twilight chanting, group meditation and some hot tea.
Resident monks sleep on the floor, no high or soft bedding is used. The floor is used for meditation, studying, eating as well as for praying. Smaller cabins or kuti for two people have two rooms with a shared bathroom; but, new monks and novices stay in dormitories. Many monasteries hold periodic meditation retreats when the attending public joins monks out of doors for day and evening meditation under a canopy for protection from the elements.
When monks are ordained the community offers sponsorship by contributing new robes, meal bowls and food for ordinance day; such an event provides yet another opportunity to make merit. 
Monks have their heads shaved once a month on the eve of the full moon and right before ordination.
Buddhism in Thailand shows up more as a personal philosophy -- jumbled with superstition and animism -- than the indoctrination of specific ideas. People make merit performing good deeds on an individual basis while following their own pace and specific path towards enlightenment.
Buddhism teaches and practices tolerance; it proposes that everything is questionable until a satisfying answer is found, encouraging humanity to think and make its own judgments. Buddhism has no need to gain converts; it is a religion purely pursued by an inquisitive candidate looking for enlightenment and answers to life’s challenges.
By Edie Wilcox @ February 2006
Read about Spirits and their connection to Buddhism in the next Post-Cards from Siam
Thais are intensely religious. For the Buddhist majority, faith defines devout fervour as much as cultural behaviour. Buddhism is the motivator and essence behind Thailand’s traditions and way of life. The Theravada Buddhist believe that existence equates suffering, suffering is the cause of desire, consequently by eliminating desire through reflection, an ideal condition of non suffering -- called nibbana (nirvana) -- can be achieved.
Thailand includes around 200,000 Buddhist monks, their daily life an assortment of material sacrifices that regular individuals may regard as purgatory on earth.
Young novice boys are often sent to monasteries by their parents as otherwise they wouldn’t be able to afford an education; however, for the most part, boys decide on monastic life on their own; children as young as10 can attend a monastery and begin training to become monks.
The sound of temple bells awakens residents at 4:30 in the morning on a regular day. Getting on the saffron robes is no easy task as it may be worn four different ways using different folds and twists with the cloth. At 5:00 and at 6:00 AM occupants draw together for morning chanting followed by group-meditation; Buddhist monks worship twice daily.
At sunrise, they venture on their alms-rounds collection, following specific itineraries or routes, generally walking in pairs, going barefooted in rural areas, but in Bangkok sandals are needed as streets are hazardous. In suburban neighborhoods, people gather by the roadside laden with food bags and boxes as they pause for the clerics to pass by. As the monks approach people automatically lower their heads in a sign of respect as they hand their gifts.
In busy city areas, especially before holidays, monks are seen loaded with bags as they walk in nearby street bazaars. All food is finally delivered to the monastery's kitchen, where it will be prepared and used for daily sustenance.
Monks never beg or ask for food directly on their alms-round; they accept whatever is given in silence. The alms-round is primarily a way to give the general population an opportunity to make merit as well as receiving some assistance for the monasteries.
The monks’ first meal is served early and soon after returning from their alms round; sitting on the floor, older monks eat companionably in smallish groups while newer monks and novices eat spread-out in a long line along the walls; group prayer reiterates that nourishment is a necessity to keep-up bodily function, and food consumption is not for social enjoyment. Meals are taken in absolute silence; good manners and propriety are a top priority. Monks lead a caring, considerate, and selfless existence throughout their lives. They share great respect for each other and for all living things.
Monks’ daily chores include hand washing their robes and cleaning common monastery areas and living quarters before joining classes in the temple’s school buildings to pursue studies of the old Pali language, and Dhamma which is the name for Buddha's teachings.
Close to the noon hour, a thunderous temple drum announces the second and last meal of the day. From now until tomorrow's sunrise no food will be consumed.
Occasionally, people drop by with food items and other worldly necessities such as toothpaste, soap, etc. In the cool months, blankets and sweaters are most welcome. If a special item is needed, perm
ission to go shopping can be requested. Bus fare is free to monks as is most medical care and medication. In most cases people providing the services (shop keepers, doctors, etc.) will take care of monks’ bills which increases their progression on the path to merit making.
Making merit, or tham boon, is essential in Thai Buddhist society and it provides a humanly conscious way to filter the mind of all imperfections: self-indulgence, greed, materialism, selfishness. As the mind gets liberated, good deeds become increasingly effortless, developing into worthy building blocks on the path toward spiritual enlightenment and soul immortality. This societal merit-making practice grants the general population a way to make the sustenance and survival of monks possible.
Monks however, don’t just subsist with donations; they are important counselors and Dhamma teachers serving people with their everyday life problems. Besides providing guidance, monk services are habitually required to give blessings and bring chanting to weddings and funerals; new homes and cars also need to be blessed to bring good luck and auspiciousness to their owners.
In Thailand, there seems to be an intermingling of philosophies, superstitions, religion and animism (a conviction that all things, such as forests, hills, buildings, rocks and bodies of water, have living souls) inspiring spiritual fervour.
As a ‘making merit’ society, opportunities abound not only in the monastic world, but also in the orphanages for the multitude of young and old who are chronically ill or handicapped in different ways. Monks make their own merit by assisting people or fellow monks in need; yet, most of their merit-making is achieved through daily meditation and the teaching of Dhamma.
Afternoon hours are spent in routine temple tasks and responsibilities; also studying; sitting, walking or standing meditation. By sundown monks assemble in their community room for twilight chanting, group meditation and some hot tea.
Resident monks sleep on the floor, no high or soft bedding is used. The floor is used for meditation, studying, eating as well as for praying. Smaller cabins or kuti for two people have two rooms with a shared bathroom; but, new monks and novices stay in dormitories. Many monasteries hold periodic meditation retreats when the attending public joins monks out of doors for day and evening meditation under a canopy for protection from the elements.
When monks are ordained the community offers sponsorship by contributing new robes, meal bowls and food for ordinance day; such an event provides yet another opportunity to make merit. 
Monks have their heads shaved once a month on the eve of the full moon and right before ordination.
Buddhism in Thailand shows up more as a personal philosophy -- jumbled with superstition and animism -- than the indoctrination of specific ideas. People make merit performing good deeds on an individual basis while following their own pace and specific path towards enlightenment.
Buddhism teaches and practices tolerance; it proposes that everything is questionable until a satisfying answer is found, encouraging humanity to think and make its own judgments. Buddhism has no need to gain converts; it is a religion purely pursued by an inquisitive candidate looking for enlightenment and answers to life’s challenges.
By Edie Wilcox @ February 2006
Read about Spirits and their connection to Buddhism in the next Post-Cards from Siam
