Religion in Thailand
Thailand is a rich and diverse country with a long religious background. Find out more below.
Theravada Buddhism, a descendant from Dvaravati Buddhism of the 10th century, is the professed religion of more than 95 percent of all Thais, and casts a strong infl uence on daily life. Thailand is the only country on the planet to successfully incorporate this form of Buddhism into its legal and moral structure.
Besides moulding morality, providing social cohesion and offering spiritual support, Buddhism has provided an incomparable artistic foundation. As Christianity influenced medieval European cathedrals, Thai Buddhism has inspired innumerable artistic multi-roofed temples to honour the Lord Buddha.
Another reason for Buddhism’s strength is that Thai Buddhist families seriously study the Lord Buddha’s teachings. It has long been a custom for Buddhist males over the age of 20 to be ordained for a period ranging from five days to three months. This usually occurs during the annual Rains Retreat (Buddhist Lent), a three-month period during the rainy season when all monks forego travel and remain within their temples. Besides sustaining monastic communities, Thai temples have traditionally served other purposes, such as the village shelter, news centre, employment information centre, school, hospital, dispensary and community centre. This gives them vital roles in Thai society. But Thais respect all religions. Thus, sizeable minorities of Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs freely practice their respective faiths in Thailand, under the King's patronage.
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