Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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Reclining
The exact moment of the Buddha's passing into
parinibbana
(post death nirvana).
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Standing
Bestowing blessings or taming evil forces.
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Walking
The Buddha after his return to earth from heaven.
Guardian Spirits
Animism predates the arrival of all other religions in Bangkok, and it still plays an import-
ant role in the everyday life of most city residents. Believing that
prá poom
(guardian
spirits) inhabit rivers, canals, trees and other natural features, and that these spirits must be
placated whenever humans trespass upon or make use of these features, the Thais build
spirit shrines to house the displaced spirits. These dollhouse-like structures perch on wood
or cement pillars next to their homes and receive daily offerings of rice, fruit, flowers and
water.
Other Religions
Thai royal ceremony remains almost exclusively the domain of one of the most ancient re-
ligious traditions still functioning in the kingdom, Brahmanism. White-robed, topknotted
priests of Indian descent keep alive an arcane collection of rituals that, it is generally be-
lieved, must be performed at regular intervals to sustain the three pillars of Thai nation-
hood: sovereignty, religion and the monarchy.
Green-hued onion domes looming over rooftops belong to mosques and mark the im-
mediate neighbourhood as Muslim, while brightly painted and ornately carved cement
spires indicate a Hindu temple. Wander down congested Th Chakraphet in the Phahurat
district to find Gurdwara Siri Guru Singh Sabha, a Sikh temple where visitors are very
welcome. A handful of steepled Christian churches, including a few historic ones, have
been built over the centuries and can be found near the banks of Mae Nam Chao Phraya.
In Chinatown, large round doorways topped with heavily inscribed Chinese characters and
flanked by red paper lanterns mark the location of
săhn jôw,
Chinese temples dedicated to
the worship of Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian deities.
