Most Westerners know Buddhism through meditation, but everyday Buddhist life looks quite different in Thai temples

According to The Conversation (US), a recent piece by religious studies scholar Brooke Schedneck highlights how everyday Buddhist practice in Thailand centers on rituals and merit-making rather than the meditation often emphasized in the West. The article describes practices like placing gold leaf on Buddha statues, making offerings tied to one's birth zodiac, and the reciprocal relationship between monks and laypeople. It also notes that many Thai Buddhists seek worldly wishes through shrines to Hindu gods, promising offerings if their wishes come true. The piece concludes that such practices show Buddhism as embedded in daily life and collective concerns, beyond individual mental transformation.

Listen to this story

Hear this and more stories in a personalized audio briefing.

Open The Chonkerton