THAILAND BUDDHIST TEMPLES - Amazing Thailand Part I

Bangkok can be called as“Temple City” with the presence of Buddhist temples. There are  thousands of Thailand Buddhist temples spread across the country and 400 to 500 Buddhist temples in Bangkok alone. These glitzy and fascinating temples serve as one of the greatest cultural symbols of Thailand.

Temples in Thailand are called "Wat" in Thai and are classifed into two main categories: Royal Temples and Common Temples.

Among the most popular Buddhist temples are Wat Arun, Wat Pho and Wat Phra Kaew. Wat Arun translates to “Temple of the Dawn” and has been a Bangkok landmark for hundreds of years. The temple has been in existence since at least the seventeenth century and underwent renovations in the early 1800s under the reign of King Rama II.

VISITING WAT PHO

Celebrating Thailand's New Year called "Songkran". Songkran is Thailand's most famous festival. An important event on the Buddhist calendar, this water festival marks the beginning of the traditional Thai New Year. The name Songkran comes from a Sanskrit word meaning 'passing' or 'approaching'.

VISITING THE RECLINING BUDDHA

When you visit a temple in Thailand you will notice that the Wat is usually in enclosed grounds and is a place of peace and calm away from the madness of the city. It is just surprising how calm they can be.

You will usually see people lighting candles and incense sticks and praying before the Buddha image. This prayer is conducted on an individual basis unlike in a Western church and you will see people coming and going all the time from the Bots

Dip Lotus Flower into their Holy Water and Shower it on your head. They believe that this will cleansed your spirit

BLESSING FROM MONK

WHERE'S NEXT?

What to Wear When Visiting a Thailand Buddhist Temple:

Ladies should wear a dress, skirt or preferably trousers, and a top with sleeves that cover at least the shoulders. Shorts or revealing tops are not acceptable dress.

Men should wear long trousers and a collared shirt or collared sports shirt. Shorts are not acceptable.

Bare feet are not allowed so wear closed shoes (males and females), or socks with flip flops.



Do's and Dont's When Visiting Buddhist Temples

Do's

1. Remove hats and shoes when entering the temple worship area. A pile of shoes outside the edifice inidcates where you can leave your shoes.

2. Dress Decently upon entering the temple.

3. Switch off mobile phones or set them into silent mode.

4. Respect the temple. Respect is also conveyed by removing your headphones, spitting out chewing gums, refrain from smoking and talking inside the temple.

5. If taking pictures with a statue, keep your head below the statue’s head

6. Sit down when talking to a sitting monk before starting a conversation.


Dont's

1. Don't point using your index finger at people or things. This gesture is considered rude around buddhist temples.

2. Do not touch a Budha statue without asking permission first. The same applies to taking photographs.

3. Do not use your ledt hand when receiving or giving something from monk.

4. Do not eat inside the temple.

5. Don't point your feet at any Buddhist (not just monks and nuns) while sitting, this gesture is also considered rude.


INTERESTING INFO:

Buddhists sweeping the temple stairs do their job to prevent someone steeping on insects more than just removing dirt.

A woman should never touch or hand a monk something - When this is breached, even brushing against their robes requires fasting to perform cleansing ritual. Should a woman extend food or donations to a monk, it must be passed to a man first then to a monk. A monk's mother is not even exempt from this rule.

Symbolically representing a whole, enter the Buddhist temple with your left foot first and exit by leading with the right foot. While this is certainly not expected from tourists, doing so means you researched more about Buddhist costum and went the extra mile.

It is best to visit a Buddhist temple early in the morning when the monks are just returning from their alms procession and temperature is relatively cooler than later in the day.


Sources:

travelertips.org
http://www.gotpassport.org
http://buddhajourney.net