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Slide 2 A body of knowledge for rationalizing and sanctioning certain types of behavior and for disapproving of others Serves to induce predispositions and attitudes in the religious context which influence activities in non-religious context Slide 3 Rituals and ceremonies usually incorporate abstract ideas, values and beliefs which mirror religiously defined world view Religious values and beliefs are often incorporated into concrete everyday behavior and situations and inspire the motivation of individual Slide 4 Provides a brief account of the world view of Theravada Buddhism which has been predominant throughout Thai history Examines the relationship between Buddhism and Thai world view as expressed in various aspects of social life Slide 5 4 Noble Truths: Suffering Cause of suffering Extinction of suffering Path to extinct suffering Suffering covers both mental and physical unpleasant conditions Slide 6 1. Corporeality (Rpa) = Body 2. Sensation (Vedan) = Feeling 3. Perception (Sanna) = Recognition 4. Mental formation (Sa khra) = Thinking* 5. Consciousness (Vinnna) = Nerves *Some text explains this as volition. Slide 7 Impermanence Changeability Not-Self *The first two are also found in Hinduism but the third is exclusively of Buddhism. Slide 8 Avoids 2 extreme practices: Indulgence in sensual pleasures Self-torture as severe asceticism (Common practice among Indian hermits) Slide 9 Slide 10 Nirvana (Nibban) through the Noble Eightfold Path: 1. Right Understanding 2. Right Thought 3. Right Speech 4. Right Action 5. Right Livelihood 6. Right Effort 7. Right Mindfulness 8. Right Concentration Wisdom Morality Concentration Slide 11 One can attain enlightenment only through ones own effort This belief has been thought to have significant influence on Thai world view and behavior i.e. individualistic nature of Thai character Lack of rigid structure in Thai society Slide 12 In Buddhism, action (karma) can be categorized as: Physical Verbal Mental Action without volition is considered as void thus no result. Slide 13 Nibbanic Buddhism Deals with individual salvation Karmic Buddhism Deals with worldly matters i.e. happiness- suffering, good-evil, merit-demerit, etc. (In Pal, the word world-loka means dual) To discipline ones behavior, perform good acts, accumulate merit, etc. *Karmic Buddhism must be adequately (and properly) done before one can proceed to Nibbanic Buddhism. Slide 14 Boys can be temple boys to serve monks, learn Dhamma, or get ordained (novice) and continue studies Girls help in household matters or support family by working Men are likely to be practitioners Women are likely to be supporters Slide 15 What is world view? The sum of ideas and conceptualizations which individuals in a cultural system have towards their environment and universe. Its manifested in various forms of behaviors and attitudes and can be seen as collective characteristics of the people enculturated in the same cultural setting. Slide 16 Individual are seen as either higher or lower, younger or older, weaker or stronger, inferior or superior, richer or poorer, and rarely equal. The kinship term phi (elder brother/sister) is often added in front of a persons name to indicate that s/he is older than the speaker. In a more formal situation, the word khun (polite title to call people regardless of age and gender) is always used esp. in the city. Slide 17 Age and seniority are sensitive issues for Thai so that they can use not only proper terms in conversation, but also appropriate behavior. Thi sung thi tam (high place, low place) is an important concept. Those who do not recognize and conform to this norm are frowned upon and disliked in society. Social status, either high or low, is considered as a result of bun-bap (merit- demerit) karma (deeds) in ones past lives. Slide 18 11 Kama Bhava - Beings consist of form and sensual desires. 4 Kinds of low beings: animal, ghost, demon, hell Human being*(the most suitable for enlightenment) 6 Kinds of deities and gods 16 Rupa Brahma Higher Beings consist of form only, no sensual enjoyment 4 Arupa Brahma Higher Beings do not have perceptible bodily forms and sensual enjoyment. Slide 19 Most Buddhists (monk and lay) prefer rebirths within the world of sensual happiness to complete salvation from suffering. In short, nirvana (the ultimate goal) is less desirable than worldly happiness in Thai popular Buddhism. Slide 20 King Lithai in Sukhothai period depicted the Buddhist cosmology of three worlds in this text. Kirsch(1975)s Moral Hierarchy King&Noble Politicians Gov. official The Wealthy The Poor Monks Slide 21 Unequal in terms of quality and quantity of individuals accumulated karma in past lives (Theravada) Equal in terms of everybody has Buddha Bhava or nature of enlightenment (Mahayana) Slide 22 In Buddhism, what one is does not matter as much as what one does In Hinduism, what one does does not matter as much as what one is (due to caste system). Brahman Noble Vaisaya Sutra Jandan (untouchable) There are some Hindus who converted to Buddhism b/c of caste system i.e. Dr.Ambedkar Slide 23 Confusion of term usage Karma = deed, either good or bad Bn = merit Bp = demerit, but Thais often use karma for this meaning A Thai proverb: Bun tham karma tang means Bn does and bp directs Slide 24 Thai names, esp. traditional names are likely to have bn somewhere in the first name or even family name Thai songs, both classical and contemporary, use of the words karma, bn, and bp and many other related terms. Suk kan ther rao = Lets be happy (MV) Slide 25 The world is like a play, we just have to follow each scene as we are destined. Dont worry, keep smiling and we all will be fine. Lets be happy, why getting sad for nothing. Dont worry, its just waste our energy. We were born as humans so we have to be patient. Dont be sad, we just have to bare with it. The world is like a play, dont worry. Happiness and suffering come together. Let bun and karma(bap) play as they wish. Dont be sorrow but keep smiling for it. Lets enjoy ourselves and be happy together. Forget the suffering and refresh your mind and feeling. Being happy is good, dont be hesitant. Dont be frowned but smile. Lives must go on and we have a long way to go, renew our lives by smiling. Slide 26 Either success or failure, is a result of bn and bp from past lives Love and marriage are caused by 1) both partners had been together before in their previous lives 2) assistance and favor done to each other in the present life Slide 27 Religious activities i.e. giving food and offerings to monks and nuns, chanting, supporting temple, observing precepts, listening to sermons, practicing meditation, etc. Social activities i.e. digging communal wells, building roads, taking care of aged parents, helping the poor, etc. Can bring better life in the future according to law of karma Slide 28 Law of karma in Buddhist belief may be compared to the law of motion in Western science. Reynolds (1976), Karma gives order and regularity to the moral and social universe much as the Newtonian laws of Western science give order and regularity to the physical universe Slide 29 1. Karma Law of action/reaction 2. Mind Mind manipulates body 3. Climate Beings can survive in a certain temperature 4. Intake i.e. food, contact, etc. Thais dont explain everything with law of karma. A Thai saying for car users: Accident isnt bad luck(bp), but caused by reckless action Slide 30 Help or favor done by someone which entails gratitude and obligation on the part of the beneficiary. The recipient would feel mentally indebted, be grateful to the giver, and supposed to seek an occasion to repay the favor whenever s/he can. Slide 31 What parents do for their children is bun khun so children should repay them whenever they can. Taking care of aged parents is social obligation rather than option because of this concept. Abandoning parents is considered ungratefulness. The Buddha said Mother has more bn khn than father Slide 32 1) Those who have rendered a favor (pubbakr) 2) Those who show gratitude and repay the favor done to them (katann kataved) This falls under give and take circle. Buddhism regards such persons as examplary individuals whose actions bring harmony and happiness to society. Slide 33 Cool heartedness is a typically Thai value, not that every Thai is a cool- hearted person, but its quality is highly valued in Thai culture esp. in the crisis situation. King Rama VI composed a poem those who should be praised even more are those who still smile when facing dangers Slide 34 1) Psychological quality of not being anxious when confronting problems 2) Not getting angry easily when one should be or expected to be 3) Ability to suppress ones emotion and not becoming easily nervous or emotionally disturbed 4) Indifference In short, it is the characteristic of a stable personality Slide 35 Slide 36 Chai-yen-yen = to be cool-hearted Mai-bpen-rai = does not matter Phillip(1965) regarded this as social cosmetic Choei-choei = indifferent, stable Thai social life places strong value on overt calmness in social interaction. To express open anger, dislike and annoyance is considered improper. Slide 37 1. Mett = Loving kindness 2. Karu = Compassion 3. Mudit = Enjoy others success 4. Ubekkh = Equanimity (Be indifferent after have done everything one supposed to do) Slide 38 Equanimity = Indifference Allow wrong-doers not being punished Law of Karma The mistreat we received is a bad karma of our past lives. Once we have paid-off, we should stop this circle of karma Most Thai Buddhists forget that Everything has a beginning Therefore Thai Buddhists have perpetuated violence and social injustice somehow more or less. Slide 39 Buddhism emphasizes the individuals effort as the only means for any achievement. An individuals self is his refuge Ones self is the most beloved Winning ones self is the true victory Its the maker who reaps his bn, not somebody else To do as one wishes is to be a genuine Thai Comparatively to the West, Thais have not been very good at teamwork in any level. *****Social harmony yet individual success*** Slide 40 Unlike Hinduism, Buddhism allows individuals who occupy any social positions to be free to move in any direction much as soccer players. Cool-heartedness is characterized by stability of personality, control of feeling and emotion, and the ability to handle situations with care and prudence. Buddhist emphasis on individualism seems to play an important part in shaping up the individualistic tendency in Thai attitude and behavior. Slide 41