Boats and Beach

Boats and Beach

Thailand - Religion

Hierarchical Society
. Thais respect hierarchical relationships.
. Social relationships are defined as one person being superior to the other.
. Parents are superior to their children, teachers to their students, and bosses to their subordinates.
. When Thais meet a stranger, they will immediately try to place you within a hierarchy so they know how you should be treated.
. This is often done by asking what might be seen as very personal questions in other cultures.
. Status can be determined by clothing and general appearance, age, job, education, family name, and social connections.

Buddhism in Thailand
Thailand is a stronghold of Buddhism.
. Buddhists believe that life does not begin with birth and end with death, but rather that every person has several lives based upon the lessons of life not yet learned and acts committed (karma) in previous lives.
. Buddhists believe that selfishness and craving result in suffering and that
compassion and love bring happiness and well-being.
. The true path to peace is to eliminate all desire, a condition which Buddhists define as 'nirvana', an indescribable state free of desire, suffering, or further rebirth, in which a person simply is, and is completely at one with his surroundings.
. Buddhism is practised in Thailand by over 90% of the population.