Is Muay thai a religious fighting style?

Question

Muay thai is from thailand and it is ancient. It is the science of the 8 limbs (fists elbows knees kicks), and it also include grappling. Thailand is 95% buddhist and I was wandering if it is safe to say that muay thai is religous or not.

Answer 1

I guess some could consider it religious in a sense.

Traditional Muay Thai has a long history in Thailand. Martial arts have been used by the military since ancient times. The military style of Muay Thai is known as Lerdrit, while today's "Sport Muay Thai" varies slightly from the original art and uses kicks and punches in a ring with gloves similar to those used in Western boxing. Muay Thai is referred to as "The Science of Eight Limbs", as the hands, shins, elbows, and knees are all used extensively in this art. A master practitioner of Muay Thai thus has the ability to execute strikes using eight "points of contact," as opposed to "two points" (fists) in Western boxing and "four points" (fists, feet) used in the primarily sport-oriented forms of martial arts. Muay Thai is an especially versatile, brutal, straightforward martial art.

Even before entering the ring many fighters perform rituals. Some may kneel before the ring, others might pray with their coach or by themselves or perform a series of repetitive movements, such as touching the ring ropes 3 times. Thai boxers always climb over the top rope when entering the ring, because in Thai culture the head is considered to be more important than the feet, which are thought to be dirty. It is therefore important to always have the head above the feet while entering the ring. Once in the ring, a fighter might go to the center and bow to each side.

Now begins the Wai Kru ritual or (Wai khru ram muay). The Wai Kru usually starts with the fighter walking around the ring, counter-clockwise. This could be described as "sealing the ring", showing that the match is between only these two combatants. The ritual is both practical and spiritual. In a practical sense, it prepares the body for combat. During the Wai Kru there are many different movements and steps that a fighter might perform before the match, along with stretches. Some motions imitate, for example, a swallow, a hunter, a soldier or an executioner. Some fighters use this ritual to attempt to scare their opponents, commonly by stomping around them. But in a deeper sense, the fighter is expressing religious devotion, humility and gratitude. Transcending both physical and temporal limitations, he opens himself to the divine presence and allows it to infuse his heart and soul. In ancient times, the ritual was intended to show devotion to the King and the fighter's mentor. Today, that devotion is given to the organizer of the match and the fighter's trainer.[1] The ritual also gives the fighter some time alone before the fight to collect his thoughts and concentrate on the task ahead.

After this dance, the fighter walks over to his coach who removes the Mongkon and the Pong Malai. The match begins after a review of the rules by the judge and a glove shake.

Answer 2

I would not say that Muay Thai is a religious fighting style.
Buddhists are not looking to fight or hurt anyone. There is no connection from the religion standpoint. Buddhists are not supposed to hurt any living things and are supposed to be kind.
However, Thai boxers are mostly Buddhists. Thai Buddhists incorporate other influences into Thai Buddhism. The belief in supernatural and superstition is widely held along with different rituals from Hinduism and others. Therefore one may encounter Buddhism and semi-Buddhism philosophy and rituals associated with Thai boxing. For example, the dancing ritual of paying respect to the teacher before the fight. I don't believe the boxers are looking for Nirvana, peace, detachment, or other religious questions and answers during the pre-fight dance.
I don't think there are Thai boxers practicing in the temple much. But at least in the movies, we can see Chinese Kung Fu and martial arts practiced in Chinese temples like Shaolin.

Answer 3

I don't think it related to religion
but from the name of many combo as you might know
it come from Indian triology name "ramayana"
itwould be more like religion brought Indian tradition into thailand which influence many of thai culture included Muay Thai

Answer 4

The art itself is not religious and doesn't incorporate buddhism into it. However, many fighters do perform Wai Kru which can be considered religious.

Answer 5

It is a Religious Tradition.

Answer 6

i would say it isnt. i train in muay thai and am not a budhist neither does my school include any religious traditions in our training.

Answer 7

People will incorporate martial arts into any religion that they choose. look at those wacko christian guys who use Karate to spread their message of yellow pages tearing!

Answer 8

its more about tradition.