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You are here: Home / Archives for Buddhism

Asahna Bucha Day

July 2, 2019 by Roy Cavanagh

Asahna Bucha Day in Thailand

Asahna Bucha Day is a public holiday in Thailand. The date of Asahna Bucha varies each year depending on the lunar calendar, but it usually falls in July or August. The holiday commemorates the day when the Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Festivals/Holidays

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

December 21, 2018 by Roy Cavanagh

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

If you only visit one temple in Chiang Mai, then Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is the one to visit. And don't just take my word for it; local people say that if you haven't been to Doi Suthep, you haven't been to Chiang Mai. The mountain wat that … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Tourist Attractions Tagged With: Chiang Mai

Sai Sin and the Sacred White Thread

June 5, 2015 by Roy Cavanagh

Buddhism and the sacred white thread of sai sin

If you're a regular visitor to Thailand, there is a good chance you've had white cotton bracelets tied round your wrists at some stage during your travels. This cotton thread has been blessed in advance by a Buddhist monk and is known as 'sai sin'. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism

Ban Baat Monk’s Bowl Community, Bangkok

November 28, 2014 by Roy Cavanagh

Ban Baat Monks Bowl Community, Bangkok

There was a time when all of the bowls used by Thai monks on their daily alms round were hand-made. Today, most of these alms bowls are mass-produced cheaply and quickly in factories elsewhere in Asia. But in Bangkok, one community is preserving the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Tourist Attractions Tagged With: Bangkok

The Rabbit on the Moon

September 14, 2014 by Roy Cavanagh

The moon rabbit in Thailand

Just as Western folklore has stories about the 'Man in the Moon', Thai folklore has stories about the 'Rabbit on the Moon'. If you look at a full moon in Thailand, you may be able to make out the outline of a rabbit or white hare. Depending on your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Culture Shock

Thailand Mourns Death of Top Buddhist Monk

October 25, 2013 by Roy Cavanagh

Thai national flag flies at half-mast

Thailand has entered into an official mourning period following the death of the Supreme Patriarch of Thailand, Somdet Phra Nyanasamvara. The head of the order of Buddhist monks in Thailand passed away yesterday evening at Chulalongkorn Hospital in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, News

The Three Jewels of Buddhism

May 18, 2013 by Roy Cavanagh

If you visit a Buddhist temple in Thailand, you will notice that the people making a prayer inside the main hall of the wat will bow down three times in front of the principal Buddha image. In the temple grounds you may also see people walking around … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism

Thod Kathin Robes Offering Ceremony (Kathina)

November 5, 2012 by Roy Cavanagh

Thod Kathin Procession in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Following the end of Buddhist Lent (Awk Phansa) new robes and offerings are made to the monkhood as part of the annual thod kathin or kathina ceremony. This ceremony often involves a procession of lay-people walking along a pre-arranged route to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism

Money Tree in Thailand

December 21, 2011 by Roy Cavanagh

Thai money tree to make merit

If you are travelling in Thailand for any length of time you may see a money tree at some stage during your journey. These can often be seen in temples after they've been donated, but whilst the trees are still 'growing' I've also seen them in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Culture Shock

The Guardian Naga Serpent

September 20, 2011 by Roy Cavanagh

Naga staircase at Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

Images or depictions of nagas are a common sight in Thailand, particularly at temples. If you see a staircase at a Thai temple, take a closer look at the decorations and you may notice the naga which in Buddhism is often depicted as a snake or a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism

Thai Mother Earth (Phra Mae Thoranee)

June 19, 2011 by Roy Cavanagh

A water fountain depicting Thailand's Mother Earth, high up on the hill at Khao Tao in Hua hin, Thailand

Many of Thailand's everyday features and sights are worthy of closer inspection because they often have a special significance. For instance, many temples and gardens feature fountains or water features which depict a woman with long hair. As shown … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism Tagged With: Hua Hin

Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai

June 17, 2011 by Roy Cavanagh

Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The picturesque temple of Wat Suan Dok is located just off Suthep Road in the western part of Chiang Mai city. If you are spending time in Chiang Mai it is worth a visit just to see the unique whitewashed reliquaries or shrines which contain the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Tourist Attractions Tagged With: Chiang Mai

Monk Baskets

February 28, 2011 by Roy Cavanagh

Monk baskets

If you are out and about shopping in Thailand you may notice some shops selling orange baskets or buckets which contain a number of everyday items like soap, detergent and toothpaste. These buckets are bought by lay-people who then donate them to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Culture Shock

Buddha Images for Each Day of the Week

January 24, 2010 by Roy Cavanagh

When you visit temples in Thailand, you may notice a line of Buddha images in different poses. Each image reflects specific events in the life of Buddha which occurred on different days of the week. In Thailand, the day of the week on which you are … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism

Releasing Animals to Make Merit

September 17, 2009 by Roy Cavanagh

In Thailand, many Buddhists believe that releasing animals back into the wild can help an individual to accrue merit. The act of releasing animals has its roots in the traditional rural communities. In the dry season, rice fields and small ponds … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Culture Shock

Big Buddha Ko Samui

August 21, 2009 by Roy Cavanagh

If you are flying to Ko Samui, keep an eye out for the largest Buddha figure on the island which is clearly visible as you come in to land. For a close up view, visit Wat Phra Yai the temple which is home to the Big Buddha and overlooks Bangrak Beach … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Tourist Attractions Tagged With: Ko Samui

Wan Khao Phansa

July 8, 2009 by Roy Cavanagh

Novice monks meditating on the eve of the Phansa rains retreat

The day after Asahna Bucha is another important day in the Buddhist calendar. The day is called Wan Khao Phansa and marks the beginning of the three-month long period known as Phansa which is the Buddhist retreat period and is sometimes referred to … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism

End of Buddhist Lent (Awk Phansa)

October 14, 2008 by Roy Cavanagh

Awk Phansa (end of Buddhist Lent) Thailand

Awk Phansa marks the end of the three-month Buddhist Lent period and the traditional end of the rainy season. The final day of the Buddhist Lent period falls on the full-moon day of the eleventh lunar moon and is known in most parts of Thailand as … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Festivals/Holidays

How to Make a Buddhist Offering (Wai Phra)

September 28, 2008 by Roy Cavanagh

When Thai Buddhists visit the temple they will normally make an offering. This act is known as wai phra; wai being the traditional greeting with palms pressed together and raised towards the face and phra being the word for a Buddha image, monk or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism

Respecting Buddha Images

August 7, 2008 by Roy Cavanagh

Wherever you go in Thailand you will see Buddha images and it doesn't matter how small, old or what state of disrepair it may be in, the image is still sacred. Standing on an old Buddha statue to have your photograph taken is one of the most … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism

Theravada Buddhism in Thailand

May 19, 2008 by Roy Cavanagh

Buddha image at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai

There are various forms of Buddhism followed throughout the world, but in Thailand 95% of people are Theravada Buddhists. Theravada Buddhism Theravada ('the Teaching of the Elders) is a school of Buddhism that believes it has remained closest to the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism

The Life of Buddha

May 19, 2008 by Roy Cavanagh

Reclining Buddha, Chiang Mai, Thailand

There is some debate about the exact date of birth of Gautama Buddha, but general consensus seems to put it at around 500 to 400 B.C. He was born as Prince Gautama Siddharta into a royal warrior family in what was northern India (now Nepal). At the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism

Getting a Tattoo in Thailand

August 9, 2007 by Roy Cavanagh

Sak Yant tattoo

I'm not sure what it is about Thailand that tempts so many people to get tattoos done during their stay here. It's probably cheaper than having it done back home and then there's the mystical, spiritual element that clearly tempts people to get … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Culture Shock

Visiting Thai Temples

June 25, 2007 by Roy Cavanagh

Wat Phra Singh temple, Chiang Mai

Visitors to Thai temples (wats) may find the atmosphere surprisingly relaxed as they often serve as local community centres. Within the temple grounds children can sometimes be seen playing games of football or basketball and monks may engage you in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Buddhism, Etiquette

Buddhism and Merit-Making

September 21, 2006 by Roy Cavanagh

make merit Thailand

Thailand is pre-dominantly Buddhist (over 90% of the population are Buddhists). I am far from being an expert on Buddhism, but living in Thailand it is impossible not to realize the impact it has on everyday life and the value placed on merit-making. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Basics, Buddhism, Culture Shock

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