Throughout its
history, Thailand has been characterized by its tolerance for alien
religions and beliefs. Although census records that 94% of its
populace are Theravada Buddhists, the country has always extended
religious freedom to its subjects. Of the remaining 6% of the
population, 3.9% are Muslims, 1.7% Confucianists, and 0.6%
Christians (mostly hill-tribe people living in the north). Though
the King is the designated protector of all religions, the
constitution stipulates that he must be a Buddhist.
Buddhism, as practiced in Thailand, is not the other-worldly
religion of Western conception. Here, ultimate salvation or nirvana,
is a distant goal for most. Thai Buddhists pursue the law of "Karma". Meritorious acts are undertaken and demeritorious ones
avoided so that one's future life may be improved. This is the law
of cause and effect.
It is also important to draw a distinction between 'academic'
Buddhism, as it tends to be understood in the West, and 'popular'
Buddhism, as is practiced in Thailand. In Thailand, Buddhism is a 'syncretic'
religion that incorporates elements of Brahmanism, animism, and
ancestor worship.
One reason for Buddhism's strength is that there are few Thai
Buddhist families where at least one male member has not studied the
Buddha's teachings in a monastery. It has long been a custom for
Buddhist males over 21 to be ordained for a period ranging from 5
days to 3 months, at least once in their lifetimes. This usually
occurs during the annual Rains Retreat when all monks forego travel
and stay inside the monasteries.
Besides sustaining monastic communities, Thai temples have
traditionally served other purposes such as the village hostelry,
village news, employment and information agency, school, hospital,
dispensary, and community center. This gives them vital roles in the
Thai society. In fact, the surprisingly high literacy rate in
Thailand before universal education was introduced was explained by
the presence of temple education.
Today, the Thai government still allows civil servants to take
leave, on full pay, to enter the 'monk-hood' for 3 months! |
Thailand
