ReligionThailand is primarily a Theravada Buddhist country, over 95 % of its people is a Theravada Buddhist. Theravada Buddhism is the oldest surviving school of Buddhism. This school says that insight must come from the aspirant's experience, critical investigation, and reasoning instead of by blind faith; however, the scriptures of the Theravadin tradition also emphasize heeding the advice of the wise, considering such advice and evaluation of one's own experiences to be the two tests by which practices should be judged. The Theravadin goal is liberation (or freedom) from suffering, according to the Four Noble Truths. This is attained in the achievement of Nirvana, or Unbinding, which also ends the repeated cycle of birth, old age, sickness and death. Theravada teaches that Nirvana is most quickly attained as an enlightened noble disciple of Buddha.
Many Buddhist temples have their own schools. Every Buddhist boy lives in a temple for a while to be a monk and practice the religion. Nowadays, this still happens, but most boys live this lifestyle only for a short while, e.g. a week. Especially poor families send their sons to a temple. Here, they will get besides free accommodation and food also free education. In a temple, meditating is one of the main activities during the day. By meditating, a practitioner can gain valuable insight on himself/herself.
Buddhists are relaxed, happy and proud en they’re always smiling. Therefore, Thailand is often named as ‘Land of the Smile’.
When Thai people say hello to each other, they make the traditional Wai-greeting. Their hands are placed together just below their chin and they bow. The higher the hands are placed, the more important is the person you greet. The highest position with the hands is made for the king, as high as the head.
In Buddhism, the head is holy so never touch the head of a Buddhist. Not even a child. This is seen as a major insult. Feet are seen as dirty and not pure so never sit in a temple with your feet towards the Buddha.
Music and DanceThai dance, like many forms of traditional Asian dance, can be divided into two major categories that correspond roughly to the high art (classical dance) and low art (folk dance) distinction. Thai classical dance drama includes Khon, Lakhon, and Fawn Thai. Folk dance forms include dance theatre forms like Likay as well as numerous regional dances (Ram) and the ritual dance. Though Thailand was never colonized by Western powers, pop music and other forms of European and American music have become extremely influential. The two most popular styles of traditional Thai music are luk thun and mor lam.
FestivalsTheravada religious festivals are:Vesakha Puja: Buddha’s birthdayAsalha Puja: This festival takes place in July, on the fifteenth day of the waxing moon of the eighth lunar month. It commemorates the Buddha’s first sermon in the Deer Park in Benares and the founding of the Buddhist sangha. In Thailand, Asalha Puja is a government holiday.Uposatha: This is the Buddhist sabbath day, from the Buddha's time through today in Theravada Buddhists countries. The Buddha taught that the Uposatha day is for "the cleansing of the defiled mind," resulting in inner calm and joy. On this day, disciples and monks intensify their practice, deepen their knowledge and express communal commitment through millenia-old acts of lay-monastic reciprocity.Vassa (Rain Retreat): This is the traditional retreat during the rainy season lasting for three lunar months from July to October. During this time Buddhist monks remain in a single place, generally in their temples.
Koh Lanta CultureIn contradiction with the rest of Thailand, the majority of the people living on Koh Lanta are Muslim. The main income is still fishery. Koh Lanta is also known for its sea gypsies who live in the little village of Ban Sangka-U, in the south of the island. |
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“Enjoy the experience of quality diving” Koh Lanta – Krabi – Thailand
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Thai Culture |
