Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Religion
Theravada Buddhism
Around 90% of Bangkokians are Buddhists, who believe that individuals work out their
own paths to
nibbana
(nirvana) through a combination of good works, meditation and
study of the
dhamma
(Buddhist philosophy).
The social and administrative centre for Thai Buddhism is the wát (temple or monas-
tery), a walled compound containing several buildings constructed in the traditional Thai
style with steep, swooping roof lines and colourful interior murals; the most important
structures contain solemn Buddha statues cast in bronze.
Walk the streets of Bangkok early in the morning and you'll catch the flash of shaved
heads bobbing above bright ochre robes, as monks all over the city engage in
bin·tá·bàht,
the daily house-to-house alms-food gathering. Thai men are expected to shave their heads
and don monastic robes temporarily at least once in their lives.
