According to 2010 estimates, the vast majority of the Thai population (93.6%) identify as Buddhist. Public signs of reverence for the religion are evident throughout the culture. However, Buddhism is commonly thought of as 'a way of life' rather than a religion by many Thai.
Religion. The vast majority of people in Thailand are adherents of Buddhism. The Theravada tradition of Buddhism came to Thailand from Sri Lanka and is shared by peoples in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and parts of southern China and southern Vietnam.
Buddhists do not believe in any kind of deity or god, although there are supernatural figures who can help or hinder people on the path towards enlightenment.
Although Thailand guarantees freedom of religion, and many religions are represented in the country, 95 percent of the population is Theravada Buddhist. Muslims compose about 4 percent of the population. There is also a small number of Christians in Thailand.
Instead of going vegetarian, some Buddhists will opt to prioritize preventing food waste over vegetarianism. While alive, the Buddha merely restricted his intake of meat but did not fully ban it. In fact, the Buddha's last meal was tainted pork which led to the Buddha contracting food poisoning and death.
Buddhist cuisine is an Asian cuisine that is followed by monks and many believers from areas historically influenced by Mahayana Buddhism. It is vegetarian or vegan, and it is based on the Dharmic concept of ahimsa (non-violence).
Buddhism, the Thai state religion, teaches that use of intoxicants should be avoided.
The steps of the Noble Eightfold Path are Right Understanding, Right Thought, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration.
Shinto and Buddhism are Japan's two major religions. Shinto is as old as the Japanese culture, while Buddhism was imported from the mainland in the 6th century.
Buddhism is the leading religion of the country, with 55% identifying as Buddhist. Confucianism and Taoism denote an ancient and profound Chinese influence. The first Portuguese missionaries arrived in Vietnam in the sixteenth century and today Catholics represent about 7% of the population.
In Thailand, majority of Christmas activities are restricted to schools only. Although Christmas is not recognised as a holiday in Thailand, Santa still makes a visit to all of the children. He can usually be spotted at various family-friendly events or in some of the bigger shopping centre.
Contrary to popular belief, many Buddhists do participate in the holiday season. Among Asian American Buddhists, three-quarters celebrate Christmas. On Dec. 8, some Buddhists also observe Bodhi Day, which marks when the Buddha reached enlightenment.
Chinese Buddhism and Folk Religions
China has the world's largest Buddhist population, with an estimated 185–250 million practitioners, according to Freedom House. Though Buddhism originated in India, it has a long history and tradition in China and today is the country's largest institutionalized religion.
The law officially recognizes five religious groups: Buddhists, Muslims, Brahmin-Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians. While there is no official state religion, the constitution requires the King to be Buddhist and declares that he is the “upholder of religions.”
Food is prepared as a spiritual exercise with attention to balance, harmony, and delicacy. Conscious eating is followed among all Buddhists. Buddha advised monks to avoid eating 10 kinds of meat for self-respect and protection: humans, elephants, horses, dogs, snakes, lions, tigers, boars and hyenas.
Marriage in the Buddhist faith is very traditional and simple. They don't like to use lots of complicated rituals. It is not a religious affair. During a Buddhist marriage the bride can change her dress up to 5 times!
Instead of religion, some Muslims regard Buddhism as a philosophy since Buddha's original teaching never teaches about God. If it is a religion, it should consist of the concept of faith in a supreme power that protects all beings, determines human destiny, and accepts God-provisions over humans.
Most modern Buddhists are less strict concerning intoxicants, and although coffee has a mild effect on the brain, social and daily consumption is generally accepted.
The term “sin” does not have any special connotation in Buddhism, as it has in major theistic religions like Christianity, Judaism, or Islam. In all these religions, the general belief is that sins are individual actions which are contrary to the will of God or to the will of the Supreme Being.
The first meal is breakfast, which is shoshoku. It usually consists of rice and pickles. Lunch, called tenshin, is also rice or soup, also with pickled vegetables.
Traditional Buddhist Prayer
May all be free from sorrow and the causes of sorrow; May all never be separated from the sacred happiness which is sorrowless; And may all live in equanimity, without too much attachment and too much aversion, And live believing in the equality of all that lives.
There are three types of chivara: the inner robe (Pali: antaravasaka), made of 5 strips of cloth; the outer robe (uttarasanga), made of 7 strips; and the great robe, or cloak (samghati), made of 9, 15, or 25 strips. In order to avoid the primary colours, Buddhist robes are of mixed colours, such as orange or brown.