Summary and Comments on "An Introduction to Thai Buddhism" by Yoneo Ishii - A recommended introduction to Buddhism in Thailand, where Theravada Buddhism still lives and breathes.
This time I would like to introduce "An Introduction to Thai Buddhism (Mekon Sensho 1)" by Yoneo Ishii, published by Mekon, Inc. in 1991.
Let's take a quick look at the book.
Why did Buddhism die out in India? Because the ideal of self-salvation through rigorous ascetic practice was only attainable by a few powerful people. Why, then, has the same Theravada Buddhism continued to flourish in Thailand? Why do the two religions remain consistent and exist as a single "Thai Buddhism" because the general public has found other attractions in them and created a new system of belief? Based on his own experiences as a young monk, this distinguished scholar of Thai studies reveals the dynamism of Thai Buddhism and the mysteries of its prosperity in an extremely easy-to-understand manner. This book is also an introduction to Thai society.
AmazonProducts Page.
This book is a recommended introduction to learning about Thai Buddhism.
Buddhism in Japan and Thailand are quite different. This book looks at those differences from a variety of perspectives.
The author describes the book in his "Introduction" as follows
I once spent several years in Thailand, during which time I was able to experience the reality of Buddhism, which permeates every corner of people's daily lives. What I realized was the difference between the content of Buddhism in Japan and Thailand and the way it is practiced in Thailand. It seems that Thai Buddhism, which is often considered to have something in common with Japanese Buddhism, should be considered as something completely different from the Buddhism we know in our common sense, although they are both called "Buddhism. （The following is a brief summary of the differences between Thai Buddhism and Japanese Buddhism.)
In this small book, I have tried to answer the question, "What does Buddhism mean to the Thai people? I hope that readers who are interested in Thai people and Thai culture will also come up with their own answers based on their own personal experiences and knowledge. If you can use this book as a guide for such attempts, then the author's purpose has been achieved.
Ltd. and Yoneo Ishii, An Introduction to Thai Buddhism (Mekon Sensho 1), p. 1-2.
The appeal of this book is that it provides a realistic picture of Buddhism in Thailand, as only the author, who has spent a long time in the country and conducted research and surveys, can provide.
The author in the above quote.I hope that readers who are interested in Thai people and Thai culture will also come up with their own answers based on their own personal experiences and knowledge."As we state, the book will make you think about many things.
I, of course, could not help but think many different things about Buddhism. However, it is not in a negative way, but in a positive way, that knowing the difference between the two will deepen our own feelings about Buddhism.
Also, here are some particularly memorable passages from the book.
If you are traveling to Thailand for the first time, I recommend that you get up early. The heat in Bangkok, which can soar to 37 to 88 degrees Celsius during the day, can be replaced by a refreshing morning breeze around sunrise, allowing you to enjoy a brief moment of coolness. However, this is not the only benefit of getting up early. Except for the early morning hours, one can also see the living side of Thai Buddhism, which cannot be realized even if one pays 10,000,000 yen for the privilege.
For a change of pace, take a look out of your hotel window. Along the streets still sparsely populated with people, you will surely see yellow-robed, barefooted mendicant monks with iron bowls under their arms or over their left shoulders.
Let's look at the movement of one monk. He will soon stop in front of a house. There, an old woman welcomes the monk with something like a bowl on a tray. Let's zoom in on the image. The bowl looks like a bowl of freshly cooked rice. What is in the package of banana peels piled up next to the bowl? Perhaps it is a bird's "ho-ho-kook" with a tangy capsicum flavor. The yellow-robed monk quietly opened the lid of the iron pot. The old woman used a tablespoon in her right hand to pour a scoop or two of the steaming white rice into the iron bowl. She then took one of the green side dish packages on the tray and quietly placed it on top of the rice in the iron bowl. The monk silently closes the lid of the iron bowl. The old woman steps back and watches the monk's back as he walks away with a reverential bow of her palms.
Almsgiving is a morning tradition in Bangkok. The clear blue sky. Green roadside trees. The vermilion tiled roofs of the temples glowing in the morning sun. Among the bright, primary-colored tableaus, the yellow-orange hues of the three garments must leave a strong impression on the eyes of even the most casual traveler.
Ltd. and Yoneo Ishii, An Introduction to Thai Buddhism (Mekon Sensho 1), p. 33-34.
I have never been to Thailand. I have never been to Thailand, but reading this article made me want to go there.
I had originally wanted to visit Southeast Asia someday to see local Buddhism, and this place was the deciding factor!
The book does not discuss esoteric philosophies and doctrines, but rather, as an introductory book, describes the daily lives of the local people and Buddhist monks.
You can also learn what Thai Buddhists consider salvation and why they are so devoutly devoted to Buddhism.
This book is a very exciting glimpse into a different Buddhism from Japanese Buddhism. We encourage you to pick up a copy.
The above is "Yoneo Ishii's "An Introduction to Thai Buddhism" - A recommended introduction to Buddhism in Thailand, where Theravada Buddhism still lives and breathes.
Next Article.
Click here to read the previous article.
Related Articles
