●*Buddhism and Thailand!

Buddhism



Introduction about Buddhism

Before the B.C.E, they had a one prince. His name was Siddharta Gautama, who born to the Shakya clan, at the beginning of the Magadha period (546-324 BCE), in the plains of Lumbini. And he was considered about life. And he got to think about that. At that time, he was already married but he wants to know about that so he went to somewhere very far from the palace and close his eye and didn’t eat on the rock. When he became 29 years old, he notices about the life and he care about citizen and became an important God in the world. He and his follower teach about Buddhism to make them give a good comment and solve the problem and they really are kind to everyone.

Things that affect to Thai

The history of the Thai Buddhism is because of the one grope who believed Buddhism called, Kummel. They’re culture was higher than Thai and they lived in Thailand. So the main believe of Thailand became Buddhism. Then the Burma came to the Thailand for 14-17 centuries. But they Burma fall at 1766-1767. But it’s hard to found the history of the Thai Buddhism because many temples were disappeared because of the Burma. So this story is not perfect real story. They think of Buddha like very high God like their King and they respect a lot. For the way of life, Thai people often to go temple for pray and they have monarchy in their home. Also many temples have monarchy that is related to the Buddhism.

Who is Siddhartha Gautama?

Siddhartha Gautama is the Buddha’s real name. He is the son of chief and he was considering about life so he came out from palace and he stayed in one rock and thinking and thinking. Also he didn’t eat during him thinking. Finally he notice about life and he became a Buddha. And care about the entire citizen.

●*Ancient City

Ancient City on FEB 12th

On FEB 12th, grade 7 and 8 went to Ancient city for field trip. One guide came with us and he talked and talked. I didn’t want to stay in the bus any more because it doesn’t have air conditional.

First, we went to the big temple called, Sanphet Prasat Palace. There were many murals that are related to Hinduism on the wall inside the temple. I got lazy to write the sheet so I just look around. And this temple was covered with sliver.
Sanphet Prasat Palace

Next, we went a Thai style house called Khun Phaen House. I can remember it very clearly because it has many ants. This house was in front of one small river. There were some pictures that show past time.
Khun Phaen House
Next place that I went was one thing that I can’t remember the name. Maybe that is The Audience Hall of Thon Buri but I don’t think so. However that place was like the place that we can relax.
The Audience Hall of Thon Buri

Then we went to floating market and ate rice noodle. I enjoyed the food except I put too much pepper… after that; Jinsun, Dasom and I ate the ice cream. While we waited in the bus, I saw one man riding a bicycle so I feeling so envy!!! Of curse, we didn’t have time to ride.
Floating market

The last place that I went was the old market town. I was so lazy about walking and buying. So I just looked around. Only Dasom bought something. I was so tired and sleepy so when I got back to the bus I was half asleep.
The Old Market Town

●*NATION of Thailand

NATION

History of Thailand
Long times ago, Chinese came to Thailand and build one country called, Siam. Siam is the Thailand’s old name and that is what we know still now. From 1768 to 1932 was the modern Thailand called, Siam. Ancient Thailand to modern day, they had 4 kingdom, Sukhothai, Ayutthaya, Thonburi, and Rathanakosin. Now I will describe more detail about them.

Sukhothai
This kingdom was the first kingdom. King Ramkhamhaeng was the important person during Sukhothai. He brought his people rights, freedom and make citizen to be not starved. They had a one more powerful family name, Ayutthaya so they became the center of the political power. Almost Sukhothai control the country for a 700years.

Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is the one of the kingdom during ancient Thailand. This kingdom was exists from 1350 to 1767 by Prince Utong. He is King Ramathibodi1. They had interchange with Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch and French. During Ayutthaya, that was most influence for their history. They fell because of the Burmese. And they started to trade with the other country. Ayutthaya is 400miles south from Sukhothai and King Taksin established a capital at Thonburi, across the Chao Phraya from the present capital, Bangkok,

Thonburi
In 1767, King Taksin established Tonburi. He was very wise and kind King but during he was still working hard, he go crazy because of the work so his retainer thought he will make citizen to be hard to kill him. Also they have problem with Burmese. After his dead, then new capital was located on the island of Rattanakosin.

Ratthanakosin
Later the King Taksin, they had one new capital city called, Ratthanakosin. It became capital city on 1782. Ratthanakosin was near to the Chao Phraya River which was Bangkok. They had palace called, Grand Palace that is famous in Thailand, this area following the idea of building Wat Phrasri Sanphet inside the Grand Palace of Ayutthaya.

★

Thai Flag
They have Red->White->Blue->White->Red. Red’s meaning is the blood of the citizens. White means, Buddhism. And blue means, Thai King.
Proportions: 2:3 Thai Flag Description:
National Anthem
When you’re in Thailand, you might notice that the national Anthem is played twice a day at 8am and 8pm on radio, bus station, and more. Thai people are played that because to show respect to the country. And this is always we sang during the assembly.

Royal Anthem
National anthem is every country has but royal anthem is only for the Thailand. When you go to Movie Theater, you will hear this song and the pictures of the King. This song shows the respect to the King and to be thanks to the King.


Military
Long times ago, Thai people used to ride elephants for the wars. And they have military elephants that they have beautiful decoration and many weapons. So we can notice how important is the elephants. But now they use more new weapons like gun and ride a tank.

Government
Ancient Thailand has many problems with the government and the succession to the throne. They kill each other and they had good government also. Also modern time we have problem with government like Ttaksin.

●*Wai Kru Ceremony

Wai Kru Ceremony

Wai Kru day is to show respect to the teachers. Wai Kru is the one of the biggest celebrations in Thailand. Students hold the flower arrangement with two hands and give it to the teachers. In Thailand, the teacher’s day is 16th of January. Wai Kru started in 1957.
On this day, students show respect to their teachers by giving them a special flower arrangement that consists of eggplant flower, Bermuda grass, and popped rice. These flowers have meaning; eggplant flower stands for humility, Bermuda grass for patience and popped rice for discipline. Once students give flowers to the teachers, they have a short speech to thank the teachers. Finally, everyone prays for teachers’ happiness.

For Korean Teacher’s day, we don’t have such a big assembly or purposes. We also don’t give flowers and just give HR teacher who teach almost every subject. We give some kinds of presents or whatever we want to them. Even Japan doesn’t have teacher’s day so it shows that we’re not so interested about teacher’s day but for Thailand it is really considered a special day because teachers are highly respected in the country.

I also gave flower to teacher on 16th Jan, 2008 To Ms.Tonja. I feeling like I can’t understand Thai way to respect to teacher reason why I’m foreigner. I did Way to teacher and stand up. When I did that, I don’t know why I need to do this even I’m foreigner. I thought only Thai is include. But you know, RIST’s not so much of purposes. Then staffs and teachers were busy at prepare. Day before we started the show, we did the practice but when Ms.Ying told our class about it, she didn’t called me and my friend who need to give flower that’s why I thought we don’t need to but when I just go through the PAC, one Thai teacher called us and we did practice.

By Christina