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Southeast Asian Buddhist Kingdom
 

Thailand is one of only two Buddhist Kingdoms remaining in the world (Cambodia is the other), and evidence of both its royal status and its Buddhist faith is everywhere. Fanciful, brightly coloured Buddhist monasteries are the overwhelming visual icons of the country, along with the brilliantly attired monks who are most noticeable in the early morning when walking the streets for alms.

Buddhist festivities dominate the annual calendar of holidays and cultural events. The daily routines of Thai life are interwoven with Buddhist duties and ceremony, including regular offerings of alms to monks and visiting the monasteries for a score of reasons ranging from visiting a monk relative, listening to sermons, seeking personal advice or enjoying evening entertainment.

Of the two major streams of Buddhism, Thais follow the Theravada, or ‘Smaller Vehicle’ branch. This came to Thailand via Sri Lanka some 1,000 years ago, and indeed, today, Buddhism in these two distant nations remains closely affiliated. The Buddhism of East Asia - China, Japan, Korea and Tibet - the Mahayana sect (the Big Vehicle) - incorporates many more mystical features and bears little physical resemblance to Buddhism as found in the four Hinayana countries of Southeast Asia: Thailand, Burma, Cambodia and Laos.

Before the arrival of Buddhism in Southeast Asia the populations here were animists, believing in and worshipping spirits in all kinds of natural phenomena. Interestingly, many elements of animism remain strong in Thai’s multi-layered belief system today. Evidence of Thais’ pervasive belief in spirits is seen in the little temple-like shrines erected in the compounds of virtually every house and building in the country. High-rise office blocks and major hotels erect large, fancy shrines in prominent positions, often housing Hindu gods in them. Just about the only structures in Thailand not under the protection of spirit houses are Muslim owned - or are Buddhist temples, from which they are banned.
 

The essence of Buddhism is more a philosophy than a religion in the Western sense, and as such it does not forbid belief in other faiths, as both Islam and Christianity do. When Thais adopted Buddhism they simply added it to a foundation of animist superstitions and traces of Hinduism. Buddhism is firmly at the head of this animist-religious pantheon, with images of the Buddha always placed higher than any other images in a room or present at a ceremony.

Fully 96% of the population consider themselves Buddhist, with the rest Muslims and a few Christian. Christian Missionaries have worked Thailand heavily for the past two centuries, but have made extremely few converts from the mainstream Buddhist population. Today their efforts at conversion are directed mainly at the hilltribes of the north, where they enjoy some success.
 

Buddhist related feature stories, with photographs, from Phuket Magazine that can be found on individual pages include:

 

• The Image Makers of Thailand - the history of bronze Buddha image casting in Thailand; by Steve van Beeke; with photos
   
• The Golden Legend of Wat Phra Thong – the legend of the ancient half-buried Buddha image on Phuket island; by John Everingham; with photos
   
• Taking the Vows: A part of Life – a look at the ordination of monks in Thailand; by Francis Hill; with photos
   
• Where spirits Dwell – the mysterious world of spirit houses; by Michael Beatty; with photos
   
• When Boys become Men – the ordination of Buddhist monks; by John Hoskin; with photos
   
• The Heart of the Community – A look at the history and role of the Thai temple; by Ellen Teper Lochaya
   
• Darker Dimensions – an exploration of spirits, deities, demigods, demons and witches; by Suttinee Kesten; with photos by John Everingham
   
• The Big Buddha – a look at the 20 metre high Buddha image as Khao Rang mountain near Phuket town; by Steve Rosse; with photos by Artasia
   
• Bun and Baph: A Celebration of the Dead – looking at Thai funerals; by Terrance Dillon Morin
   
• Blueprint for a Buddha – the history of the Thai Buddha image; by Terrance Dillon Morin
   
• Sprit Houses – the Phra Phum – an exploration of the Thai spirit house; by Chris Miller
   
• Seeking Enlightenment in Krabi’s Tiger Cave – a visit to Wat Tham Seua in Krabi; by Chris Miller

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