Lessons in Buddhism

That "Thailand is a Buddhist country" seems to me to be both obvious and somewhat foreign. It's obvious in the sense that the national census figures nearly 95% of the population to be Buddhist. It's obvious in the sense that you'll see a wat (temple) on most city streets, and plenty of orange-robed monks walking to and from the wat. And it's obvious in the sense that schools and post offices are closed on Buddhist holidays.

But sometimes it still seems rather foreign to me that "Thailand is a Buddhist country." Chiang Mai, the city where I live, is an international hub of action, and a large number of the ex-pats and Thais I hang out with are Christians. So when I had two Buddhist friends invite me to two separate Buddhist-related outings this month, I decided to accept their friendly invitations and join as an observer.

Event 1: Ordination as a Buddhist Monk

A friend from the dormitory recently graduated and has decided that he will be a Buddhist monk for three months. On the morning of the ordination, he had his head and eyebrows shaved.

Many spectators entered the temple to see this "cohort" of monks be ordained.

The novice monks were dressed in white at the beginning of the ceremony and later changed to orange robes partway through the ceremony.

Event 2: Buddhist Holiday "Asarnha Bucha Day"

Also this month, a friend from the dormitory I lived in last year invited me to join the dorm staff members on an excursion to the temple to make merit. I told her that although I wasn't interested in making merit, I would be interested in seeing what transpires during such a ceremony.

While the dormitory staff went to the front of the temple to kneel and make their offering to the monk, I wandered around the temple and noticed the artwork on the walls. I'd guess that just as our stained-glass windows at church often depict important stories from the Bible, these pictures likely have relevance and meaning to the Buddhist.

I'm glad to have had the opportunity to observe these Buddhist events, to know and understand a bit better what my friends believe and hold in their hearts.

My joy and my hope, though, remain attached to the LORD. "Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord; no deeds can compare with yours" (Psalm 86:8). I pray that my lifesong sings harmoniously with a confession of faith in the Lord who we can call Creator, Redeemer and Counselor.

In Christ Alone,

Eric