NOTES ON A CULTURE (Wisdom Quarterly)
Thai novices (temporarily ordained monastics-in-training) (AP/BBC)
What is Thailand? Thai ("free") land is a Theravada Buddhist country in Southeast Asia. It is predominantly Buddhist with a small percentage of animists in the forested north and Muslims in the tropical south. There are no fully ordained nuns, but there are Mas. They are 10-precept nuns who usually wear white. A professor made tremendous waves by seeking full ordination, becoming the first woman to do so. However, nearly all men of means become (temporary) monks at some point. To do so makes them sought after marriage material. Prostitution, which seems semi-legal, is certainly a quietyl accepted fixture in Thai culture. The majority of patrons are Thai, in spite of its legendary red light districts. It also has a third gender (kathoey).
Thai novices (temporarily ordained monastics-in-training) (AP/BBC)
What is Thailand? Thai ("free") land is a Theravada Buddhist country in Southeast Asia. It is predominantly Buddhist with a small percentage of animists in the forested north and Muslims in the tropical south. There are no fully ordained nuns, but there are Mas. They are 10-precept nuns who usually wear white. A professor made tremendous waves by seeking full ordination, becoming the first woman to do so. However, nearly all men of means become (temporary) monks at some point. To do so makes them sought after marriage material. Prostitution, which seems semi-legal, is certainly a quietyl accepted fixture in Thai culture. The majority of patrons are Thai, in spite of its legendary red light districts. It also has a third gender (kathoey).
Buddhas, monks, temples, and beaches (Edmund Lou/Demund on Flickr.com)
There is a tremendous influx of spiritual and sensual foreign tourists from the West, who seem to be in search of exotic culture, religion, and morals, flaunting Thai standards of modesty. Worldwide travel by Wisdom Quarterly staff confirms that Thailand is perhaps the most hospitable and kind place to travel. The people are enormously generous, innocent, and mild. Of course, this is changing, particularly in the larger cities. Buddhism has exercised a sense of decorum and propriety, notably on how guests are treated, that is remarkable. Unfortunately, this does not extend to neighbors and age-old rivals in Cambodia. (A border and temple complex dispute still flares up from time to time).
Political turmoil in April 2009 rocked the capital with the red shirts versus yellow shirts (AP).
Economically, like most of Asia, it is trying to be Japan. It may get there. But some political upheavals and corruption have brought strife to an otherwise passive and peaceful kingdom. The king, who is the longest reigning monarch in the world, is not involved in daily affairs. But he is revered, and it is unthinkable and illegal to criticize him or his policies. One does not come away with the impression that Thais want to criticize. While politicians and even the Sangha (monastic order) may be of questionable repute, the king is untainted and very helpful to the people.
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