Thai Buddhism

History of Buddhism in Thailand

Buddhism originated in India, and it must have come to Thailand around the 5th century, even though it became the official religion only under the Sukhothai Kingdom, in the 13th century. During this period, the King was the patron of the religion, but religion and politics remained separate.

Before the 19th century, the kingdoms of Thailand tended to expand and constantly change the king’s authority. With the appearance of the Chakri dynasty, this stopped, and the kingdom and the sangha (the monastic community) became more centralized. King Mongkut (1804-1868), who was a monk himself, began a reform movement that became the basis for the Dammayuttika order of monks and a more rigorous discipline for Buddhists.

The King was able to tighten the relations between monarchy and sangha, and his reforms were followed by his successors. Rama V (1868-1910) promulgated the Sangha Law in 1902, which is still the foundation of the sangha administration in Thailand. During its history, Buddhism experienced periods of liberalization or strict state control, depending on the governor of the time.

The Story of Buddha

Prince Siddhartha Gautama lived more than 2,500 years ago in a city at the foot of the Himalaya. His parents were rich and lived in a huge castle.

His mother died giving birth to him, and he grew up inside his huge palace, without ever going out. He liked to help others and always avoided causing pain. But he soon realized that pain was unavoidable. He thus started meditating, and nothing could distract him.

Since nothing could cheer up the prince, his father allowed him to go for short trips to neighboring villages. In the first village, he saw an old man for the first time, and he realized that everyone will one day be old. Then he saw a sick man and understood that anyone could get sick.

When he saw a dead man, he realized that everyone will die. Finally, he saw a monk, and got inspired. He wanted to be free from the pain of life.

He then began to wander and meditate and, through the practice of asceticism, he finally found enlightenment, becoming the first Buddha.

Thai Buddhist Temple Attractions

There are more than 40,000 Buddhist temples in Thailand. The following ones are the most popular attractions among tourists:

Etiquette for Visiting a Wat

Visitors must be respectfully dressed and will be refused admission if inappropriately attired. This means covering the shoulders and knees and wearing shoes (or trainers/sneakers) with a heel. Shorts, flip-flops, sandals, singlets, spaghetti straps, fisherman’s pants are all inappropriate. Clothing can be hired from a small booth. Smoking is prohibited inside the complex. Please do not disturb monks or other people who are worshipping. Photography sometimes is not allowed in some buildings, please follow the rules.

Remember that you must not point at a monk or at a Buddha statue, neither with your fingers nor your feet. As a woman, you cannot touch a monk at all, even brush against his robes. Never touch or turn your back to an image of Buddha.

The Practice of Meditation

The traditional practice of meditation is described in ancient Buddhist texts. Buddhism uses meditation in order to pursue enlightenment and the nirvana. The goal of meditation is to develop mindfulness, concentration, and tranquility, thus removing hate, anger, and sensual lust.

In Thailand there are many meditation retreats, at which travelers can learn how to meditate through the teachings of knowledgeable monks. Some of them offer complete immersion in Buddhism, giving you the chance to lead the life of a monk.

You can find two-day retreats or ten-day ones, and everything will be provided, including accommodation and food. They constitute a wonderful opportunity to learn meditation in a unique way.