Statement of the week: 'Thai are not Buddhists but animists'
It always looks beautiful the rituals of the Thai that outsiders associate with it Buddhism. But a spirit house or a sacred tree that houses a spirit has little to do with Buddhism. Hence the statement of the week: 'Thai are not Buddhists but animists'.
Imposing colorful temples scattered here and there and ubiquitous in all corners of Thailand. The orange-robed monks who walk barefoot through the streets after sunrise in search of a meal, handed to them by humble fellow villagers. They are impressive statues, but ask your Thai partner about the 'Eightfold Path' from Buddha's teachings. Do you get a correct answer?
According to the Thai government, 95 percent of the population is Buddhist, the percentage of Thais who have animistic beliefs is probably even higher.
For those who don't know what animism means: Animism is the philosophical, religious or spiritual concept whereby souls or spirits exist not only in humans and animals, but also in plants, stones, houses or mountains and rivers.
Those who know a little more about the culture of the Thai could say that the belief in ghosts among the Thai mainly stems from Hinduism and that the belief of the Thai consists of a mix of animism, Buddhism and Hinduism. That's right, but don't call yourself a Buddhist. And when I see what Thais are doing on a daily basis, it is mainly animism. Just watch the TV. A Thai is mainly concerned with appeasing the spirits or, above all, not making them angry. This sometimes leads to bizarre rules and superstitions that you can read again here: www.thailandblog.nl/cultuur/bijbelief-thailand/
Maybe it's also a flight, many Thai are a bit tired of it after the many scandals with the monks. For the ordinary Thai, many monks have long since lost their credit. If food or goods are given to monks at all, it is from an ancient tradition and not so much out of respect.
To come back to the statement: 'Thai are not Buddhists but animists', we again ask the opinion of the readers. What are your experiences, do you think differently? Comment and join the discussion about the statement of the week.
I completely agree with the statement. Most of the rituals practiced by the Thai John with the Cap have nothing to do with Buddhism and I would rather describe animism as “paganism”. People worshiped the elements of nature, something that is still found on a daily basis in Thai society: the inauguration of a new home, a new car, at cremations, at weddings, etc., etc. There are those who prosper from these rituals and especially try to don't argue with the Thais about it and leave those people in their "faith".
Lung addie
The statement is somewhat nonsensical. If Buddhism needs to be overhauled, who should take care of that, I wonder? A religion evolves and is not written as a party program. Thais are indeed mainly animists. Nevertheless, the Buddhist attitude to life has taken root in Thai society. Given the number of temples, you can also say that the Thai variant of Buddhism plays an important role. The Thais may not know the eightfold path to enlightenment, but they do understand the basic values of Buddhism. They know that you have to accept things as they are, especially if you cannot influence them. They know that you should not get too attached to earthly goods. They are aware of what Buddhism sees as good and what is less good. The fact that they do not always adhere to it is another matter. The meat is also weak in Thailand.
Animism also leads a life of its own. Thai society is imbued with that.
I don't think it says anywhere that Buddhism needs to be overhauled. The thesis is that Thais are more animists than Buddhists.
There is no mention anywhere in the statement that Buddhism needs to be overhauled. There is also clearly a huge mistake here in stating that Buddhism is a religion or religion, which it is not at all! Buddhism is a philosophy or rather a way of life. So making comparisons with other religions is simply not possible because it is not a religion in the first place.
Lung addie
Religion (Religare, Latin for connecting) is usually understood to mean one of the many forms of meaning, or the search for meaningful connections. In a broader sense, the word "religion" denotes a more general form of spirituality, feelings, thoughts regarding the meaning of life in relation to either a power or manifestat. To that extent, Buddhism is indeed a religion.
I read this statement and thought two things: what is the definition of Buddhism, and then what does it matter because:
from Wikipedia…
Buddhism is a philosophical and religious movement that, according to tradition, was founded by Gautama Buddha. The goal of Buddhists is to be liberated from the cycle of rebirth, never to suffer again.
?, well, that's it again! And then…..
The specific rules are:
Avoiding all wrong behavior,
undertaking the good,
And developing your own mind;
We already knew, 'by heart'. After this it remains as foggy as in any other faith. So what's new?
Everyone can believe what they want from me, but don't bother me with it and I will respect your beliefs.
Yes, in my chatrium hotel an invasion of monks who have been dropped off with a luxury bus, and have been enjoying all the luxury the hotel has to offer for a week now. Does this have to do with Buddhism, I didn't think so. mgv kees
Right Keith,
And this trip was paid for by the donations of people who really can't afford to miss it, but yes, it is "prescribed"
LOUISE
It is with great pleasure that I am part of a Thai family.
I am an atheist myself!
But they don't force anything on me, and I quite like it!
I think this is the best 'religion' in the world.
Can many take an example!!!!!
Most religions incite murder, manslaughter and war.
The Thai, alone, so not!
Can't believe what I'm reading right now. Your last 2 sentences are everything. Are you still living in reality Dear Jan? I'm an atheist too, let me start with that. Murder? Warp and weft in Thailand, check the news. Manslaughter, war. Check if the red and yellow shirts are opposite each other. Take a look at what happened in BKK a few years ago and see recent coup. Stealing from the poor is even more important for their status, let's share everything nicely! Nice that philosophy of life of the Thai, which is otherwise not a religion! I agree with previous comment of I respect you and leave me alone with your hypocritical stuff!
Noah
Just ahead of time.
I also think the meat is better than the legs, but allow everyone the freedom to believe what they want.
In my opinion, Jan refers to, for example, iconoclasm/Catholic (before my time *grin*), Ireland, Catholic/Protestant, Taliban has also carried out a kind of iconoclasm, Islam (don't believe in this, go finish that bite)
I'll probably skip a few more, but you get my point I suppose.
Sorry, but I can't compare these wars to the red/yellow problem.
You are right in this that one color is not awake when another color is killed.
Uuhh, taking money from the poor is what the temples and their inhabitants are very good at.
A while ago I read that there was a temple for sale somewhere and the asking amount was huge.
Do you think, if the temple is sold, the monks will give the village there a lecture?
After years of maintaining things, both garden and building??
And no one bothers you about faith and no one is hypocritical.
Kuhn Peter posits a proposition and asks for reactions/opinions on/about it.
Everyone is free to do this or not.
LOUISE
Leave one in his or her worth as far as faith is concerned. You can think about it all you want and say something about it. Please respect it and ask if necessary. Now I know from experience that you should never ask a Thai why. That is avoided. It's just the way it is. Let them be as they are in their faith.
Experienced a cremation two months ago. I was amazed, but it's just the ritual.
You know, a Thai is never satisfied with his faith, just think about it.
Succes
I think it is very fortunate that the Thais have no religion: there is no god in all of Buddhism, and Buddha is not a prophet of that god or a son of it. Apparently that protects the Thai from being a fanatic, as we know it today from the Muslims, and especially from the Christians in the past. And it protects them - I don't think apart from that - from propagating their faith, read from imposing it on 'unbelievers'. It is one of the great freedoms you are allowed in Thailand. That freedom is a blessing to me, a blessing that was denied me in the Netherlands, where - to name just an example of behavior that is unthinkable in Thailand - it can happen that a neighbor keeps track of whether you go to church every Sunday. go. The farang thinks it is something very wonderful in himself if he says he is able to respect the other person. For the Thai this is a matter of course. Whatever incites them to politically related violence or other improper conduct, such as corruption, does not override or accommodate the incitement to such conduct from their religious beliefs; I even think that the Thais have no "religion" (with what all that entails). And look around you (beyond just Thailand): that makes a big difference in the treatment of the other person who is of a different ethnicity, or who adheres to a different religion (or no religion at all), or who is perhaps sexually 'deviant'. ' is. Or could you have chosen domicile in, for example, some Middle Eastern country as well as in Thailand?
What the Thai call Buddhism has little or nothing to do with Buddhism.
Want
The Buddha never asked to build temples
The Buddha never asked to worship him
The Buddha never asked that one should sacrifice even to monks
The Buddha never asked to wear amulets
99.99% of Thai monks do not follow the Buddha's recommendations.
Because they make predictions about the future
Eat meat, fish and poultry, because in Buddhism all life is sacred, so that not only means that you should not kill, but that you should also not allow yourself to be killed.
They do all kinds of tamboons,
In short, call the religion that the Thais practice whatever you want, but don't call it Buddhism, because it is not that.
By the way, animism is also very peaceful.