Thailand in Focus - Thailand - page 659

humblest abodes and protective amulets, ranging from discreet to overt,
are common pieces of jewellery.
Buddhism
Approximately 95% of Thai people are Theravada Buddhists. This form of
Buddhism is often called the Southern School because it travelled from the Indian
subcontinent to Southeast Asia. Mahayana, the other branch of Buddhism, followed
a northern migration through Nepal, Tibet, China and the rest of East Asia. The two
forms differ in doctrine, canonical texts and monastic practices.
Religious Principles
Buddhism was born in India in the 6th century. A prince named Siddhartha
Gautama left his life of privilege, seeking religious fulfilment. According to the Hindu
practices of the time, he became an ascetic and subjected himself to many years of
severe austerity before he realised that this was not the way to reach the end of
suffering. He became known as Buddha, 'the enlightened' or 'the awakened', and
spoke of four noble truths that had the power to liberate any human being who
could realise them.
The four noble truths deal with the nature and origin of suffering and the path to
the cessation of suffering. Loosely explained this includes dukkha (all forms of ex-
istence are subject to suffering, disease, imperfection), samudaya (the origin of suf-
fering is desire), nirodha (cessation of suffering is the giving up of desire) and
magga (the path to cessation of suffering is the eightfold path).
Houses of the Holy
Many dwellings in Thailand have a 'spirit house' for the property's prá poom (guardian
spirits). Based on pre-Buddhist animistic beliefs, guardian spirits live in rivers, trees and
other natural features and need to be honoured (and placated) - like a respected but
sometimes troublesome family member. Elaborate doll's-house-like structures, where the
spirits can 'live' comfortably separated from human affairs, are consecrated by a Brahman
priest and receive daily offerings of rice, fruit, flowers and water.