Buddhism has been Thailand's national religion for 700 hundred years. Temples, the house of monks and religious images, play a crucial role in Thai's lifestyle. In the past, temples were the places of education , because monks were the elites of Thai's society. Men at 21 years old got into monkhood, in order to study in both academically and morally. Also, temples were markets, hospitals, community centers, and temporary shelters in emergency cases. Today Thai's lifestyle was changed by the influence of the Western World's domination, but temples are still the community's center in the other ways. The establishing of schools, hospitals, markets or shopping centers outside the temples may alter Thai's behaviours, but not our believes in Buddhism. Therefore, temples are still the domain of our community in some aspects. The picture above showed the role of Wat Yai at Pisanulok Province. This temple became the tourist attraction place and the economic stimulation center for the province.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Roles of Temples in Thai Society
Buddhism has been Thailand's national religion for 700 hundred years. Temples, the house of monks and religious images, play a crucial role in Thai's lifestyle. In the past, temples were the places of education , because monks were the elites of Thai's society. Men at 21 years old got into monkhood, in order to study in both academically and morally. Also, temples were markets, hospitals, community centers, and temporary shelters in emergency cases. Today Thai's lifestyle was changed by the influence of the Western World's domination, but temples are still the community's center in the other ways. The establishing of schools, hospitals, markets or shopping centers outside the temples may alter Thai's behaviours, but not our believes in Buddhism. Therefore, temples are still the domain of our community in some aspects. The picture above showed the role of Wat Yai at Pisanulok Province. This temple became the tourist attraction place and the economic stimulation center for the province.
