Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
considered as prestigious as monks and
don't have a function in the laypeople's merit-
making rituals.
2 KHAO PHANSAA (
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)
Temple Visits
Thai Buddhism has no particular sabbath day
when the faithful are supposed to congregate
at the temple. Instead, Thai Buddhists visit
whenever they feel like it, most often on
wan
prá
(holy days), which occur every seventh or
eighth day, depending on phases of the moon.
A temple visit is usually a social affair involving groups of friends, families or of-
fice workers. Thais will also make special pilgrimages to famous temples in other
regions as sightseeing and merit-making outings. For the older generation this is
the time to show off their most beautiful Thai silk dresses, which follow a standard
pattern style of a tailored shirt and ankle-length skirt. The younger generation re-
gards these dresses as old-fashioned but the act of merit-making remains timeless.
Most merit-makers visit the
wí·hăhn
(the central sanctuary), which houses the
primary Buddha figure. Worshippers will offer lotus buds (a symbol of enlighten-
ment) or flower garlands, light three joss sticks and raise their hands to their fore-
head in a prayerlike gesture.
Other merit-making activities include offering food to the temple
sangha
(commu-
nity), meditating (individually or in groups), listening to monks chanting
suttas
(Buddhist discourse) and attending a
têht
or
dhamma
(teachings) talk by the abbot
or some other respected teacher.
Thai Buddhists will also visit the temple to consult with monks in order to pick an
auspicious time to get married, start a business or perform child-naming rituals. Fu-
neral rites are also held at the temple.
See
Click here
for tips on temple etiquette.
3 SONGKRAN (
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Islam & Other Religions
Although Thailand is predominantly Buddhist, the minority religions often practise
alongside one another. The green-hued onion domes of a mosque mark a neigh-
bourhood as Muslim, while large, rounded doorways flanked by red paper lanterns
mark the location of a
săhn jôw,
a Chinese temple dedicated to the worship of
Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian deities.
