Buddhism is the most important religious belief in Thailand. More than XNUMX% of the population believe in Buddhism. Therefore, there are more than XNUMX temples and more than XNUMX monks in Thailand. It can be seen that Buddhism has a great influence in Thailand. After turning XNUMX, he has to become a monk, even the Thai royal family.However, Thai monks do not raise fire to cook food. They rely on begging to alms to the people early in the morning every morning, and it must be completed before noon, so that the people's work, life, and rest must not be affected. (Doctrine regulations)
Thai Buddhism belongs to Theravada Buddhism. Unlike ours, Chinese Buddhism is Mahayana Buddhism that came in from India. It pays attention to non-killing and Buddhists can’t eat meat, while Thai Buddhism originated from Ceylon in the XNUMXth century. Although the Hinayana Buddhism that has been introduced in Sri Lanka also pays attention to non-killing, it also pays attention to "release". On certain festivals, every household buys a lot of live fish and puts them by the river, and they can eat meat. Even monks can eat meat. There is only one condition: "Animals that are not killed by themselves can be eaten."Therefore, Buddhists in Thailand can use chicken, duck, fish, etc. to feed the monks.
We set off at six o'clock in the morning. The hotel where we stayed that day was filled with mist, and then we came to the market in Baizheng, where the tour guide took us to buy cooked food and waited on the street for the monk's alms.
Before long, a group of four monks walked up barefoot. We wanted to offer the food we just bought. Apart from taking off our shoes and playing barefoot, we knelt on the ground and put the food in their bowls, reminding everyone to be more careful: " Women should not touch the monk." Some will leave and continue walking after alms, while some will chant sutras to pray for you.According to the commentary, monks have a high social status in Thailand. For example, some important festivals and celebrations will invite monks to recite Buddhist scriptures. When meeting them, they should put their hands together in salute. (Even the King of Thailand!) The locals think it's a lucky thing to meet a monk early in the morning, and devout believers will also prepare fast food at their doorstep, so that the monk will come to the door for alms.
Finally, on the street in Baizhen’s market, we saw many monks coming out to beg for alms. Their robes were of different colors. The tour guide told us that because their clothes were also given to them by believers, the colors would be slightly different. After the end of the almsgiving in the early afternoon, they will return to the temple to continue the asceticism. The asceticism of the adulthood is a major event for Thai boys. If the time is short, it will be about three months, and some will not return to the secular life.Boys who become monks will be regarded as adults. Otherwise, they will be looked down upon by relatives and friends and cannot find a girlfriend. This is similar to the concept of being a soldier? ^^
If you have the opportunity to stay at the Amphawa Floating Market for one night, you will have the opportunity to see the monk taking a boat to alms to the residents in the morning. It is also a very representative of the local culture.
▲ They are preparing cooked food for monks in the market.
▲ The correct way of serving food: barefoot, kneeling, and offering food.
▲ The monk will not take the initiative to step forward, so when we put food in, we must be careful not to touch them.
▲ This master was very serious at the time~^^~ (However, this was originally a serious matter, please don't play around!)
▲ Another master, he is helping other people to recite sutras!
▲ I am also chanting!
▲ Master was accompanied by a temple child, and the flowers and incense in his hand were also provided by the people.
▲ According to the tour guide, the monks in Bangkok will have more colorful robes, like the one in the picture.
