Tips for visiting Buddhist temples in Thailand

With a trip to thailand It is surprising to find a great abundance of temples in which an intense ritual life is carried out.

With an overwhelming majority of the Buddhist Thai population, this religion defines many aspects of society.

When traveling through the country we will continually find a thousand details that will remind us, from hundreds of temples, to the smallspirit houses” that we will see on the streets and that protect the buildings.

On a daily basis, many Thais try to achieve merit by making offerings, wearing amulets, and providing food to monks or even stray dogs.

meet some temples in bangkok or in other places it will be one of the most interesting experiences we can have when traveling through this country.

When visiting them we can enjoy an architecture and ornamentation that is very different from what we know of Christian churches in Europe.

But, above all, it will allow us to look into the Buddhist religiosity which, without a doubt, is one of the fundamental aspects of Thai society.

Can you visit Buddhist temples in Thailand?

La entrance to the temples is generally free throughout the country, although some, the most monumental and touristy, can charge an entrance fee.

The thai temples They are special places where, although foreign visitors are always welcome, appropriate behavior must be maintained.

Rules for visiting Buddhist temples in Thailand

Of course you have to dress modestly and, in fact, in royal temples the rules regarding clothing are a little stricter than in regular temples.

culturally Thailand It is one of the least westernized countries in the world. Southeast Asia, and there are behavioral guidelines that must be followed, at least in temples, and cultural values ​​that must be respected, even if they are very different from ours.

In general, Thais forgive incorrect behavior in the rules of courtesy if they consider that it is simply due to the ignorance of visitors.

In this regard, Thailand It is an extremely pleasant country to visit since its inhabitants are very understanding of foreigners.

One of the few exceptions is behavior that is deliberately degrading to everything they consider sacred; That's why we have to be very respectful in temples and in the dealing with monks.

Some notions about the thai temples and its characteristics It will help us enjoy and learn more from the visits we make to these places.

What a Buddhist temple is like in Thailand

El thai buddhist temple, whatIt can be a simple structure or a complex of numerous and varied highly ornamented rooms.

In the villages, el what may consist only of a muzzle, a room where the figure of Buddha and rituals are celebrated, and a small house for one or two monks.

In larger towns, temples include an area where the population gathers for social activities and ceremonies, funerals, or even voting in elections are held.

If there is land, there must be a bo tree and an area dedicated to a crematorium.

El bo is a horse fig reminiscent of the tree under which the Buddha achieved enlightenment.

In larger temples there may be one or several chedis, which is how it is known in Thailand stupas, massive structures built on the remains of people considered saints or donors who want, in this way, to make merit.

In the most important temples we can find mural paintings of excellent artistic quality that reflect a world based on sacred Buddhist and Hindu texts.

Of course in Bangkok and other big Thai cities there are temples which are almost like small cities that host hundreds of monks, nuns and lay people.

Temples are always surrounded by a wall that isolates them from the outside world.

In this way they tend to be quiet places, small oases that in places like the capital Bangkok They are very cozy to rest for a while from the noise and bustle of the street.

As it is made up of different rooms, some are more important than others. The most sacred is always the boots, and to access it you have to remove your shoes and any hat or cap you are wearing.

How to behave in a Buddhist temple in Thailand

Al visit any buddhist temple We always find many faithful meditating or making offerings.

As they are practices that each person performs on their own individually, there is no schedule for doing them and everyone goes to the temple when they can.

It must be remembered that in Thailand social activities are not clearly distinguished from religious ones.

It can sometimes be shocking to find some people chatting, drinking tea or smoking next to others who are fervently attending a sermon. Or that a faithful stops his offering to take a photo with his cell phone if he considers it appropriate.

Although foreign visitors go to the temples only to observe the thai ceremonial life, it is considered acceptable to participate in it and make merits.

The easiest way is to do the same as them and buy an offering for Buddha.

The most common is made up of three incense sticks, some flowers, a candle or a piece of gold leaf. After the offering you can make a small donation of money in the corresponding brushes.

The offeringAlthough done in public, it is actually a private activity between the individual and Buddha.

In temples there are usually no chairs or benches, so everyone sits on the floor.

The elevated seats were reserved, in this very traditional society, for royalty.

If in a temple we find a platform or other elevated platform, we must know that it is always reserved for the monks and never for visitors.

How to sit on the floor in a Buddhist temple

The most common position for us to sit on the floor, with legs crossed, is reserved in the muzzle to the monks.

Lay people should sit with their legs folded under their bodies and facing the picture of Buddha. For those of us who are not used to it, it is a rather uncomfortable position in which we do not last long.

This position must also be adopted when sit in front of a monk. Sitting cross-legged in front of a monk would be tantamount to saying that you are his equal, which is not the case in this society.

How to behave with Buddhist monks

Respect for monks is due to religious reasons, but also social ones.

In villages, monks fulfill many important functions, from teaching children to carrying out communal activities, such as building bridges and wells.

The monks undertake to fulfill the 227 vows of monastic life, and a majority are moral references for society.

Between the most common votes are found the of poverty and of g. One detail that surprises us is that they never eat after noon.

Although they also meet the vow of humility, the monks do not forget the status among themselves and with the laity; Although they all dress very similarly, they show their rank according to the model of fan they use.

Another detail that usually surprises visitors is knowing that In Thailand all men must become monks for a period of time before turning 20 years old.

Some meet this requirement for a few days and others for several months. In this way they accumulate merits.

In the temples or on the streets we can continually find monks. Sometimes they may address us in English, usually because they want to practice the language.

It is the opportunity to start a chat for a few minutes. Under no circumstances should women, especially women, touch or shake hands with a monk.

Avoiding any contact with women is fundamental for monks, so when traveling on a bus they always sit in the back seats.

They always find a place there, even if it is lifting another passenger. For this reason, women should look for a place in the front.