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LILI EN FLORIDA

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Japanese Educator, Content Writer and Traveler

Thailand 【2】

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LILI FLORIDA

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Thailand is a Buddhist country. According to articles, nearly 95% of Thailand’s population is Theravada Buddhist. Theravada Buddhism focuses on personal enlightenment through self-discipline and meditation.

Japan is also a Buddhist country but practices Mahayana (Zen). Not only Buddhism but Japan also has a history of Shinto. My grandmother was a believer. She was born near Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture. Shinto literally means “way of the Kami.” “Kami” is translated as “god” or “spirit,” but it is different from the Western sense.

Shinto emphasizes purity and harmony with nature and ancestors. Nature is considered sacred, and kami inhabit mountains and trees. Ancestors are recognized as family guardians after death.

My host family were devout Buddhists, so I often went to temples with them.

  • Wat Pha Nam Thip Thep Prasit Wanaram

 

The temple has beautiful decorations and Buddha statues. It is one of the famous temples in Roi Et Province.

 

Photos by LILI

@liliflorida on Tumblr

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11 responses to “Thailand 【2】”

  1. vermavkv Avatar
    vermavkv

    This is a thoughtful and beautifully balanced reflection on culture and spirituality.
    What stands out most is the way you connect personal experience with broader traditions. You don’t just present facts about Buddhism and Shinto—you bring them to life through your grandmother, your host family, and your visits to temples. That makes the piece feel intimate as well as informative.

    Reply
    1. LILI FLORIDA Avatar
      LILI FLORIDA

      Thank you. I’m thankful for my host family. Suddenly, a Japanese high school girl came and started living together. I couldn’t speak Thai, but they supported me like family. We still keep in touch. I want to visit Thailand soon 🙂

      Reply
  2. aniruddhakaul Avatar
    aniruddhakaul

    I always wanted to know more about Buddhism, the way

    Reply
    1. LILI FLORIDA Avatar
      LILI FLORIDA

      I am interested in Hinduism. More specifically, my question is how language is related to religion and cosmology. I read your blog. I think there are similarities between Buddhism and Hinduism. I am learning about Hinduism 🙂

      Reply
      1. aniruddhakaul Avatar
        aniruddhakaul

        The core books of Hinduism the Vedas are written in Sanskrit, specifically what is now known as Vedic Sanskrit. The processes worship were all written and followed in Sanskrit since thousands of years. This is much before we the present generation came to be. It was already firmly established. So Sanskrit became the core language of Sanatan. All of the other languages and dialects prevalent in Bharat today are related to Sanskrit or it’s forms and derivates. So authentic Sanatan mantras are in Sanskrit, in a way it becomes the language of the religion. Though not strictly there are other great works in more common languages that the masses identified with such as Ramcharitmanas, which explained the same concepts as enunciated in Vedic Sanskrit to masses in their language.

      2. LILI FLORIDA Avatar
        LILI FLORIDA

        Hi, thank you for the detailed explanation. I know some Japanese words come from Sanskrit. Danna (husband) from ダーナ (दान) and Naraku (hell) Naraka from ナラカ (नरक)… Buddhism came to China via the Silk Road and then to Japan. It is amazing! 🙂

      3. aniruddhakaul Avatar
        aniruddhakaul

        Yes that you mentioned major Buddhists texts are also in Sanskrit. Thanks that you mentioned Japanese words related to Sanskrit. Many European languages also borrow heavily and are shaped by Sanskrit. Even Western studies call the entire language family as Indo European. Also the second part about Vedic cosmology, from the opening verses of Rg Ved, cosmology origin of Universe and life are explained along with principles of physics, mathematics, biology and many other subjects, which gave the foundation to modern research and study and scientific development.

      4. aniruddhakaul Avatar
        aniruddhakaul

        It is wonderful to learn about Shinto. It is similar to Sanatan.

      5. LILI FLORIDA Avatar
        LILI FLORIDA

        What is Sanatan? Is it Sanatana Dharma? I am interested!🙂

  3. aniruddhakaul Avatar
    aniruddhakaul

    Sanatan — The Eternal Order or Dharma

    Reply
    1. LILI FLORIDA Avatar
      LILI FLORIDA

      Thank you. I am reading articles about it.

      Reply

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