Transcript Lesson3_background information

Lesson 3 - Message of the Land
Part Two
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Lesson 3 - Message of the Land
Background Information
I.
Author
II.
Bangkok
III. Thai Buddhism
IV. Monks in Thailand
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Lesson 3 - Message of the Land
I.
Author
Pira Sudham is considered Thailand's
leading English language writer, who
was nominated for the 1990 Nobel
Prize for Literature. His literary works
are concerned with social-economicpolitical changes occurring in Thailand.
Widely read and highly acclaimed, his
books have given an expedient voice
to the poor and the voiceless.
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The end of Author.
Lesson 3 - Message of the Land
II.
Bangkok
Bangkok, population 8,538,610 (1990), is the
capital and largest city of Thailand. The city is
located on the east bank of the Chao Phraya River,
near the Gulf of Thailand.
Bangkok is one of the fastest-growing, most
economically dynamic and socially progressive
cities in Southeast Asia. Local people like to think
that it is emerging as a regional centre to rival
Singapore and Hong Kong (SAR), China, but it
suffers from major infrastructure and social
problems as a result of its rapid growth. It is also
one of the world's most popular tourist
destinations.
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Bangkok from the Chao
Phraya River at sunset,
July 2004
Lesson 3 - Message of the Land
II.
Bangkok
Bangkok is the economic center of
Thailand. The Chao Phraya River allows
Bangkok to function as a port. The Stock
Exchange of Thailand is located in Bangkok.
Tourism is a major source of revenue. The
city contains many Buddhist temples
(known in Thai as Wats), among the best
known being Wat Pho and Wat Arun.
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The Wat Phra
Kaew Temple
Lesson 3 - Message of the Land
II.
Bangkok
Bangkok's educational and cultural
facilities include several universities, a fine
arts academy, a national theater and a
national museum. Processed food, timber,
and textiles are leading exports. Industrial
plants include rice mills, cement factories,
sawmills, oil refineries, and shipyards. The
city is a famous jewelry center, buying and
selling silver and bronze ware.
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The end of Bangkok.
Lesson 3 - Message of the Land
III.
Thai Buddhism
Buddhism is Thailand's main religion. 94% of Thai
people are Buddhist. The other are Muslim, Catholic or
Chinese. Buddhism was born 2,546 years ago (the
official year in Thailand is the year 2003 and the
traditional year is the year 2546). Buddhism is linked
with the historical Indian prince, Siddharta Gautama,
who became the Buddha and reached the
enlightenment. Now his teachings are still followed. His
teachings say that people suffer because they are
attached to material things, to women or men by heart
links. These links cause suffer, jealousy so pain. People
are never satisfied, i.e. they want more money, more
power. The aim of Buddhism is to get rid of these pains
and of these links. There are several kinds of Buddhism.
Thai Buddhism is called Theravada Buddhism.
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Lesson 3 - Message of the Land
III.
Thai Buddhism
Everyone can hope to reach enlightenment one day but
path shall be long. It takes many lives. Each time
somebody or an animal dies, it reincarnates in
something else. It is the endless cycle of existence.
The rebirth depends on your "KARMA". If you have
done good deeds in your life, next life will be better. If
you have done bad deeds, next life will be harsh.
Thai Buddhism is fascinating because it is mixed with
older religions (Animism, Brahmanism) which were
present before the introduction of Buddhism in
Thailand. Nowadays the influence of the previous
religions is still present.
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The end of Thai Buddhism.
Lesson 3 - Message of the Land
IV. Monks in Thailand
Monks are more suited to reach enlightenment
because they follow a strict way of life far from
material attachment. Their life is based on 227
monastic rules and 5 major precepts, i.e. no sex,
no lies, no robbery, no alcohol, no killing.
In a temple, some men have been monks for
decades but there are also some men who
became monk only a short time ago. They do it in
order to bring merit to their parents ("THAM
BUN"). A boy is not a man if he hasn't been a
monk once in his life. Even the King of Thailand
Rama 9 had been a monk for one month. In old
days this period was three months. Now it can be
only a few weeks or a few days.
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Lesson 3 - Message of the Land
IV. Monks in Thailand
Some families still refuse to marry their daughter if
the future husband hasn't ever been a monk. It
means that he isn't ripe enough. Ordination is an
important part of life in Thai society. A boy that
becomes a monk ("PHRA") for a few months is
making a really good action towards his parents.
Monks represent the Lord Buddha. When Thai people
greet a monk or even a novice, they greet the Lord
Buddha's teachings. In a bus, seats in the back are
reserved to monks. If a woman is sitting there, she
should leave because a woman cannot touch a monk.
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The end of Monks in Thailand.
Lesson 3 - Message of the Land
Part Two
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of Part Two.
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