Buddhism in Thailand: Tradition, Symbolism, and Spiritual Power
Thailand is a country steeped in spirituality, temples, and ancient rituals. Buddhism in Thailand is not just a religion — it is the backbone of Thai culture, society and daily lifestyle. Around 94% of the Thai population is Buddhist, mainly from the Theravada movement. In this article, we dive deeper into the origins of Buddhism in Thailand, the symbolism of Buddha images by day of the week, and the lives of monks in their iconic orange robes.
Origins of Buddhism in Thailand
Buddhism reached Thailand around the 3rd century BC., during the reign of King Ashoka of India. He sent Buddhist missionaries to Southeast Asia, where the Buddha's teachings gradually spread. Over the centuries, Buddhism merged with local animist beliefs and Hindu elements.
The dominant movement in Thailand is Theravada Buddhism , also called “the teaching of the elders”. This movement emphasizes meditation, self-discipline and attaining enlightenment through individual effort.
Buddha images by day of the week
In Thailand, there is a unique tradition that depicts a specific posture of Buddha for each day of the week. These statues are popular with temple visitors and are often venerated based on someone's birthday.
Comment with a minimum of 10 words.