why do thais believe that buddha is god? why do thais believe that buddha is the way?
do you thais know that buddha said that HE IS NOT THE WAY?? do you know that buddha also said,"DO NOT WORSHIP ME"?
2007-03-10 12:55:03 · 10 answers · asked by sylll 3 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Thailand
i blieve what i see.
they have statues of buddha, and they burn incense to him. and they pray to him and ask of him. when he became NOTHING, according to what he claims
2007-03-10 13:04:53 · update #1
it shows you know nothing about Thia's people and their religion
2007-03-10 13:01:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some Thai's do not have a very good education or a very wide knowledge so they mistakenly worship Buddha. Most Thai's respect Buddha in the same way that they respect the king. Buddha images are just a reminder of the person rather than an object of worship to most Thai's and most Buddhists. Only those without knowledge believe in supernatural powers. Granted there are many in Thailand who believe that an image can have magical powers but this is not quite the same as believing that Buddha is God.
Of course Buddha taught that the way does not lie through him but through your own awareness but he also taught compasion and understanding for those who have not yet found the way. Why be angry or upset with those who don't yet understand? Much better to show them by example.
2007-03-12 02:32:48 · answer #2 · answered by John B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all, to all Buddhists, The Buddha is NOT a god. I am not aware that Thais think he is a god. He was a teacher and guide to life. While I am not a follower of The Buddha, my brother-in-law is a Buddhist monk and I am interested in the religion/way of life. As you rightly say, The Buddha said he was not a god. I know of no real Buddhists who think he was/is a god.
He is revered and honored, as he should be, as a great, intelligent, dedicated, and spiritual leader who told people how to live their lives. His conversion from a privileged person of wealth to a seeker of poverty and goodness speaks of a man who understand (and resisted) temptation of the world. Buddhism has been described as a religion, but I feel it is more of a way of life since there is not a central "god" figure at all.
2007-03-11 05:04:57 · answer #3 · answered by Rick 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe you do not know Buddhism very well. How it is practised by the Thais too. Have you really asked any Thai if what you wrote is what they think?
I think it is not good to generalise your personal perception and apply it to the country. There are different levels in practising Buddhism. May be you should enrol in a Buddhism class to learn if the Thais are taught to pray to Buddha as God.
What you wrote in the second para can be found in most temple walls in Thailand, depiction on Buddha attainment of enlightenment.
2007-03-10 22:26:43 · answer #4 · answered by peanutz 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
So - what does it matter to you - - my wife is a devout Buddhist and the practices of Buddhism make her very happy - isn't that good? She doesn't harbor any hatred toward other people of any faith and you can't help but think if there were more people like her, the world would be a much better place -
And the fewer people who seem to enjoy fighting and disproving other religions, once more, maybe the world would be a better place - - - If I were you, I would ask where your hatred stems from... and I hope for you that some day you will find a love for others who do not wish to harm you... It sounds like something is horribly wrong for you.. i hope you get better.. good luck
2007-03-11 08:32:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
hey! I asked the same questions and Thais don't know the answer. You could ask a monk maybe? Their kind of buddhist is called something like "workship of elders". So all those insense are for their grandparents and for king Rama IV. It has nothing to do with that 2550 years old indian Buddha.
2007-03-14 03:22:32 · answer #6 · answered by maikomich 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who said Thai believe that Buddha is a god? Probably only you. Please find book to read about Buddhism. Don't mix up between Buddhism and Bharma and Hindu.
I studied in catholic school but I'm Buddhist and have lot of friends who have their faiths in many religions in Thailand, Catholic, Christian, seven day adv., Hindu, Bharma, Islam, Taos, Sen, including Ghosts.. All of them know that Bhuddha never claimed he's god and no Thai ever believe he's god.
2007-03-11 08:32:05 · answer #7 · answered by tooon68 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please forgive me if I'm wrong, but I'm willing to bet you are a fundamentalist Christian who has little tolerance or understanding of other religions and the right of people to worship in their own way, should they choose. You believe your religion is the only religion, and look to denegrate those that don't share your beliefs. I'm also willing to bet that not one Thai person has ever questioned your right to believe in your religion or the way you worship. So, why in the world would you want to question theirs? At least you give me a more clear understanding of why the world is the way it is today.
2007-03-11 03:12:57 · answer #8 · answered by Gerald J 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
And what is your point?
2007-03-10 22:11:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dunno if you are been sarcastic, fundie
judging other religions without proof
2007-03-10 21:08:07 · answer #10 · answered by wb 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋