Multi-Religions and Beliefs in Thai Society

by Pakpong Wudthiwongse (Ph.D.)

S ? • Why does religion plays a major role in controlling a society? • Why does plays an important role in shaping Thai cultural and identity? • What are positive and negative values found in Thai society at present? • Any others beliefs and religions have influenced Thais Why? Let jogging your brain Pramarumas : King Rama IX

Mythical animal in Himmaphan forest

There are many groups of Himmaphan’s animals such as bird, elephant, lion, deer, sneak, crocodile, fish, dog, monkey, horse etc. Mythical animals reside in Himmaphan forest Pramarumus : Royal Cremation The world of beings in Buddhist Cosmology

The brahma world

The heavenly world

The human world

The unhappy world Luk Thep ; Soft spot for SUPERSTITION Angel Child

“It’s something that society should decide if it’s real or not”. (Prayut Chan-o-Cha) Kumanthong What is his name?

Brahma : The Creator Brahma Shrine at Ratchaprasong intersection, What did they talk about this bust?? What do you see in the picture? What is his name?

Lord Ganesh : God of Wisdom Thais worship Goddess of Earth : พระแมธรณ่ ี Lord Siva The Destroyer Indian supreme GOD Lord Pirun : The God of Rain The symbol of Kasetsart University and Ministry of Agriculture and Co-orperative Thakien Shrine Phra Budda Chinnarat

In Pitsanulok Province

The Most Beautiful Buddha Image in

King Cobra Shrine Koun-Imm Buddhi Sattwa : Lord Vishnu’s Carrier The King of Thailand ride the Garuda Thais worship A Spirit house

พระภูมเจิ ้าที่ Devotees at Gurudwala

In Bangkok Gurudwala Or Sikh

คุรุทวาร หรือ วดสั ิกข์ พาหุรัด Central Mudjid

In Yala Province Thailand Central Mudjid In Patani province

Uma Devi Temple Or Maha Mariamma Wat Kheak on Silom Road Lord Jatukham Rama Deva A form of Buddhi Sattwa The Stain Glasses of Saints in Catholic Church The Biggest Catholic Church In Thailand, Located in Chantaburi Province Thai classical music Guru Worshipping Ordain Ceremony พธิ ีบวช Vegetarian Festival In Thailand Praying for rainfall ceremony in the North East Talismans & Amulets What do they ask for?

From the presentation How many religions and beliefs are there in our society? Religions & Beliefs in Thailand There are 5 big religions in Thailand. 1. Buddhism 2. Islam 3. Christianity (Catholics & Protestants) 4. or Brahmanism 5. Other beliefs 1. Animism 2. Spirit, etc. The Primeval beliefs • The primeval beliefs of Southeast Asia people including Thais were created by members of agriculturally based society. • They believed in spirits, devas, goddess, and the unique fate of individuals or communities. What is the meaning of religion?

General term : A particular system of faith and worship

Sociological term : A set of beliefs, symbols and practices which is based on the idea of the sacred and which unites believers into a socio- religious community. • Religions & Beliefs create beliefs • Beliefs create Values • Values create Pattern of Bahavior or Social Norms - Folkways - Mores - Rule, Laws • Values create Material Cultures etc. About Buddhism in Thai Society

• Buddhism : Buddhism first obviously appeared in Thai kingdom during the period 13th to 15th century. • Around 94 percent of Thais believe in Buddhism. • Thai norms, values, beliefs mostly derive from Buddhism. About Islam in Thai Society

• Islamic communities has been established in Thailand before 16th century. • About 4 percent of Thais believe in Islam. • There are 2 big sects –Sunni and Shi’ite • Around 20 percent of them live in the four provinces in the deep south. • About 2,000 mosques in Thailand, 100 of which are in Bangkok • Some 200 Muslim schools offer secular and religious instruction. Christianity in Thai Society

• Catholics was first introduced into Thailand during 16th centuries by European Missionaries. • Protestant came to Thailand in early Rattanakosin period. • Around 0.5 percent of Christians living in Thailand. • The Christianity played significant roles in the development of modern education and modern medicine. (made the smallpox vaccination, wrote the first Thai-English dictionaries, trained the first doctors in Western medicine) Hinduism in Thai Society

• Less than 0.1 percent of the population believe in Hinduism and mostly concentrated in Bangkok. • Hindu came to Thailand from several regions of India. (UP, , Tamil, Delhi etc.) • There are many Hindu shrines located in Bangkok. (Uma temple, Vishnu temple, Thepmontien etc.) • The most important gods in Hinduism are Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Siva. Sikhism in Thai Society

• are accounted for around less than 0.1 percent of the population and concentrated mainly in Bangkok. • All most of them came from Punjab, India • There are 2 big sects of Sikhism in Thailand – Akali and . • They enjoy to intermarriage among themselves. The functions of religions

• Explain the meaning of the existence of things and the occurrence of phenomena. • Social controls • Consoling through constructive meaning of the crisis. The Concepts of Buddhism The Thai beliefs are mainly based on Buddhism.

What was Lord Buddha enlightenment? The Noble Truths and Eightfold Path What are the Noble Truths?

• All existence is suffering ทุกข์ • The sources of suffering สมุทยั • Suffering must be eliminated นิโรธ • The way to eliminate suffering มรรค Do you know the Eightfold Path? 1. Right Understanding สมมาทั ิฐิ ทฤษฎีถูก 2. Right Thought สมมาสั งกั ปปะั คิดถูก 3. Right Speech สมมาวาจาั วาจาถูก 4. Right Action สมมากั มมั นตะั กระทาถํ ูก 5. Right Occupation สมมาอาชั ีวะ อาชีพถูก 6. Right Effort สมมาวายามะั พยายามถูก 7. Right Mindfulness สมมาสตั ิ ระลึกถูก 8. Right concentration สมมาสมาธั ิ จิตต้งมั นถ่ั ูก Buddhism shapes the Thai cultural identity

• Habit : Compassionate, Smiling, Polite, Peace- loving • Arts : Buddha images, Temples, Stupas, Chetiyas • Language and literature : Pali, Sanskirit • Ways of lives : interact with one another • Customs and Etiquettes : Festivals, being grateful • Education : Schooling • Music : for special occasion of religious rites and festivals Belief in Buddhism

• Belief in the Law of Karma • Belief in beneficial effect of virtuous action and adverse effect of malicious actions. • Belief in one’s ability to get oneself liberate from the “Samsara” วฏฏะสงสารั Does Buddhism has deities?

Yes , of course Goddess of Earth : พระแม่ธรณี God : พระอินทร์ Earth Guardian : ทาวจต้ ุโลกบาล Why does Buddhism firmly establish in Thailand ?

• Buddhism is blessed with succeeding generations of monks and royal support. • The temples in Buddhism serving as the linkage between ruling elites and their subjects, schools community’s forum, art centers, nurseries for children and the elderly, and also animal sanctuaries. The belief in Hinduism

• Believe in Gods and Goddess such as Tri Murti – Brahman, Vishnu, Siva and others like Ganesh, Durka (Uma), Luxmee, Lord Ram etc. • Worshipping Gods and sacrificing for them • King as Avatar of Lord Vishnu or • Believe in Phra-Bhum etc. The beliefs in Animism

• Good spirits – Ancestral spirits, Spirit House • Harmful spirits - Spirit evil, Demon Beliefs results in the creation of value rites, customs and norms • Reverence of and loyalty to the king. • Fondness for money • Admiration for the persons with power • Inclination for merit-making • Fondness of fun and amusement • Inclination for consumption and consumerism • Inclination for gambling • Fondness for festivals • Emphasis on seniority, rank, and title. • Emphasis on gratefulness. The five basic values

• Self-dependence, diligence, responsibility • Thriftiness • Observance of rules and laws • Observance of religious precepts • Patriotism, ties with religion and loyalty to the king Multi Religion & Beliefs in ASEAN religions in our neighboring countries

• Buddhism, sect is the main religion in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. • The majority of population in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia are Muslim. • Christianity is the main religion in the Philippines. • Almost all Singaporean Chinese and Vietnamese are Buddhist, Mahayana sect. Myanmar Laos Singapore Malaysia

Brunei ? • Why does Buddhism play a significant role in Thai society? • What are the contemporary values in our society? (5 items with a brief explanation) • What are the five basic values issued by the National Commission? • Please illustrate influences of Hinduism in our society? • Which aspects of cultures did Christianity bring to Thai society? Conclusion

Buddhism No GOD, but many spiritual beings The Afterlife? : Rebirth – we are endlessly reborn in new bodies, unless we achieve “Nivana” Scriptures? : Tripitaka พระไตรปิฎก Hinduism GOD? : Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Sarasvati, and many others The Afterlife? : Reincarnation Scriptures? : Vedas, Upanishads and others Sacred Animal? : Cow is the symbol of Earth Christianity One GOD? Yes, one in three persons The Afterlife? : A final judgment, followed by heaven or hell Founder? : Jesus Christ Scriptures? : The Bible Major Festivals? : Christmas, Easter Islam One GOD? : Yes, Allah The afterlife? : A last judgment, followed by heaven or hell Founder or Prophet? : The Prophet Muhammad Scriptures? : The Koran Holiest Place? : The Ka’bah at Mecca in Saudi Arabia Sikhism One GOD? : Yes, He is the True Name, He is the Creator The Afterlife? : Rebirth –unless we achieve “Agaburush” Founder? : Scriptures? : The Religious symbols : 5’K (Sword, Comb, Bangle, uncut hair, breeches)

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