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Theravada Buddhism is the professed religion of more
than 90% of all Thais, and casts strong influences on daily life.
Buddhism first appeared in Thailand during the 3rd Century B.C. at
Nakhon Pathom, site of the world's tallest Buddhist monument, after the
Indian Buddhist Emperor Asoka (267-227 B.C.) despatched missionaries to
Southeast Asia to propagate the newly established faith.
Besides moulding morality, providing social cohesion and offering
spiritual succour, Buddhism provided incomparable artistic impetus. In
common with medieval European cathedrals, Thailand's innumerable
multiroofed temples inspired major artistic creation.
Another reason for Buddhism's strength is that there are few Thai
Buddhist families in which at least one male member has not studied the
Buddha's teachings in a monastery. It has long been a custom for
Buddhist males over twenty, once in their lifetimes, to be ordained for
a period ranging from 5 days to 3 months. This usually occurs during the
annual Rains Retreat, a 3-month period during the Rains Season when all
monks forego travel and stay inside their monasteries.
Besides sustaining monastic communities, Thai temples have traditionally
served other purposes - - as the village hostelry, village news,
employment and information agency, a school, hospital, dispensary and
community centre - - to give them vital roles in Thai society.
The Thais have always subscribed to the ideal of religious freedom. Thus
sizeable minorities of Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Sikhs freely
pursue their respective faiths.
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