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Although Thai people know and can use the Western calendar, all official documents and most public signs reflect the Buddhist epoch. That means, for example, that the Western year 2003 is 2546 in Thailand. |
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BUDDHIST HOLY SITES |
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In America, people often worship in churches, synagogues or mosques. In Thailand people worship at the "wat". |
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Sometimes stages are set up outside on temple grounds where singers or dancers entertain the community. During our stay in Na Lau, a giant screen was rented and huge loudspeakers were hooked up. Everyone in the village showed up carrying mats or chairs and spent the evening watching Charlie’s Angels in Thai! Another time, everyone gathered to hear a famous Thai singer and later to see dancers in cheerleader uniforms perform on a big outdoor stage. |
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The wihan,a community temple and assembly hall, is used for community worship. It is especially busy during holy day seasons. Often, people from the village carry food to the wat and have what looks to Westerners like a big picnic after worship is over. |
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chedis like these at Wat Po were built for people of royalty or for monks who were considered important in their faith. |
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The Sanghawat or Monks’ Residence |
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at wats because, like people, they are fed, cared for and treated with compassion. One wat is well known for the care of tigers that roam the grounds freely. When poor families do not have the resources to feed or educate all their children, it isn’t unusual for them to send a boy to live at the local wat and to become a novice monk. |
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Besides larger residence buildings, an individual monk may live in a small hut or kuti. These are sometimes tucked away in the woods where the monk can spend time meditating in nature. Other structures at a wat may include libraries, bell towers, meeting and lecture halls. There are also Bodhi trees. (see the section on Buddha). |
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ANIMISM - THE SPIRIT WORLD |
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shirts, and other items so they will be carried into the spirit world and serve as gifts for deceased ancestors. |
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One common sight around Thailand is the presence of spirit houses outside of homes and businesses. People often place candles, incense and food on these houses in an effort to give the spirits a place where they can be happy. People do this hoping the spirits will stay outside homes and businesses, leaving them in peace. Spirit houses on multiple legs are for ancestors while those on a single pole are for other spirits. |
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OTHER RELIGIONS |
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Of course, foreign residents in Thailand may be followers of these and other faiths as well. As a result, a great deal of religious diversity exists in most towns and villages. |
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For more information about Buddhism, click on Buddha, Teachings, or Monks on the side box. |
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