Buddhism 🇹🇭

Pali: Buddhasāsana, Sanskrit: Buddhaśāsana. Buddhism is a religion with the Buddha as its founder. Its core teachings are the Dharma, which he realized through his own enlightenment and taught by him. Its central tenets are the Sangha, consisting of monks, nuns, and disciples who choose to ordain to study and practice the Buddha's teachings and discipline, aiming for Nirvana. The Sangha forms a community to perpetuate the Buddha's teachings. These three elements together are called the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha). Furthermore, Buddhism also includes teachings for a virtuous life for those who have not yet ordained (lay people – male and female devotees). When considering those who believe in and practice the Buddha's teachings, they can be categorized into four types: monks, nuns, male devotees, and female devotees, collectively known as the Fourfold Buddhist Community (Buddha-Bhanda 4).

Buddhism is an atheistic religion, rejecting the existence of a god or creator. It believes in the potential of humanity, that everyone can develop their minds to achieve perfect humanity through their own efforts. In other words, Buddhism teaches that humans shape their own lives through the consequences of their actions, according to the law of karma, not through supplication to a god or external deity. It emphasizes self-reliance to escape suffering, aiming to liberate humanity from all suffering through the cultivation of wisdom to understand and accept suffering as it truly is. The ultimate goal of the religion is liberation from all suffering and the cycle of rebirth, just as the Buddha himself achieved liberation through his own wisdom and effort as a human being, not a god or messenger of any deity.

The present Buddha is Gautama Buddha

His original name was Prince Siddhartha.

He began spreading his teachings in the Indian subcontinent since the time of the Buddha. But after the Buddha's Parinirvana,

the Dharma and Vinaya that he taught were

compiled into categories through the first Buddhist council until they were compiled into the Tripitaka, which is the important principles that have never been The Theravada school of Buddhism, which has consistently adhered to the principle of not altering the Buddha's teachings, has undergone continuous changes up to the present day. However, during the Second Buddhist Council, a differing viewpoint arose, arguing that the Dharma and Vinaya could be adapted and changed according to time and circumstances for the survival of Buddhism. This idea began to take shape and branched out into a new sect called Mahayana. Both of these sects further subdivided and spread throughout Asia and neighboring regions. Some consider Vajrayana to be another sect altogether, while others consider it a part of Mahayana. However, there are even more classifications than that The fundamental principle of dependent origination is the single most common teaching of all Buddhists. Today, Buddhism has spread throughout the world, with the majority of its followers in Asia, including Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia. Currently, there are approximately 1 billion Buddhists worldwide, although this number may increase over time due to the strong faith of the people. Because of its followers in so many countries around the world, Buddhism is considered a universal religion.

The birth of Gautama Buddha, or the Buddha.

Gautama Buddha, or the present Buddha, was originally named Prince Siddhartha. He was the son of King Suddhodana and Queen Sirimahamaya, born into the Shakya clan of Kapilavastu. He renounced worldly life at the age of 29, practiced asceticism for six years, and attained enlightenment at the age of 35. He preached his teachings for 45 years before passing away at the age of 80, marking the beginning of the Buddhist Era (B.E.).

After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha went to the Isipatana Deer Park near Varanasi to preach to the five ascetics (Pancavaggiya). He delivered the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta as his first sermon. Upon completion of this discourse, the pure and untainted eye of Dharma arose in Kaundinya, leading him to become a Sotapanna (stream-enterer). Kaundinya then requested ordination on the full moon day of the eighth lunar month, thus becoming the first monk in the world, and the Triple Gem (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha) was thus established in the world on that day. Later, the Buddha preached other doctrines to the remaining four ascetics, all of whom attained Sotapanna. After the five ascetics had all attained Sotapanna, the Buddha delivered the Anattalakkhana Sutta, which led them all to attain Arhatship (fully enlightenment).

Following this, the Buddha went to preach the Dharma to Yasa and 54 others, all of whom attained arahantship. In total, there were 61 arahants, including himself. The Buddha then decided to send his disciples out to propagate the Dharma, and his first words in sending them forth were...

"Listen, monks, I am liberated from all fetters, both divine and human. Likewise, you are liberated from all bonds, both divine and human. Go forth then, for the benefit and happiness of the great multitude."

Show compassion to the world, for the benefit and happiness of gods and men alike. Do not go the same way, two of you. Preach the Dharma beautifully in the beginning, in the middle, and at the end. Proclaim it.

The precepts of celibacy, complete in both meaning and expression, are perfect. There are beings with only a little dust, that is, defilements, in their eyes, but because of the fault of not having heard the Dharma, they are deprived of the merit they could have received. Look, monks, there are those who fully understand the Dharma. Even I will go to the Uruvela Senanigama region to preach the Dharma. This led to the flourishing and rapid spread of Buddhism throughout the Indian subcontinent. The people of the Indian subcontinent abandoned their former beliefs and increasingly embraced and revered Buddhism, which continues to spread to this day."

Buddhism after the Buddha's Parinirvana: After the Buddha's passing, Buddhism continued to flourish in India. Its growth depended on whether it received support from those in power at the time. If it did, it would prosper greatly. However, over time, conflicts arose due to differing interpretations of the Dhamma and Vinaya among the monks. This led to the creation of a council to codify and standardize the correct Dhamma and Vinaya, establishing a standard for future generations.

The First Buddhist Council

The First Buddhist Council was held three months after the Buddha's Parinirvana in the Saptaparni Cave, Rajagriha. Mahakassapa presided over the council, King Ajatasattu was the patron, Ananda provided answers regarding the Dhamma, and Upali provided answers regarding the Vinaya. Fifty hundred Arhats participated in the council, which lasted seven months This council was convened because Subhadda made blasphemous remarks against the Dharma and Vinaya just nine days after the Buddha's Parinirvana. This prompted Mahakassapa to organize a council. During this council, Ananda mentioned the Buddha's permission for the Sangha to revoke minor precepts, but the assembly could not agree on what constituted minor precepts. Therefore, Mahakassapa decided to retain them in their entirety. After the council was completed, Purana, along with 500 monks, Upon arriving in Rajagriha, the monks participating in the council informed Purana about the proceedings. Purana expressed dissenting opinions regarding some precepts and affirmed his adherence to the old ways, indicating a potential schism within the monastic community. However, this was not considered a schism because Purana adhered to the Buddha's permission for the Sangha to revoke minor precepts.

The Second Buddhist Council

The Splitting of Sects

Eighty-nine years after the Buddha's passing, monks from Vajji, in the city of Vesali, proposed ten points that deviated from the Vinaya (monastic rules). This led to both agreement and disagreement among the monks, causing a schism within the Sangha. Yasaka Kandaputta, upon learning of this, attempted to oppose the proposals, but the Vajji monks refused to listen. Those who supported Yasaka Kandaputta then consulted with senior monks of the time, including Revata and Sappakamikera, who agreed to convene another Buddhist council (Sangha council).

The monks of Vajji did not accept or participate in this council, but instead gathered their own group of monks to hold a separate council called the Mahasangiti, and referred to themselves as the Mahasanghaka, thus undermining Buddhism in...

At that time, it was divided into two sects: those who followed the opinions of the elders at the First Buddhist Council, called "Theravada," and those who followed the opinions of their own teachers, called "Achariyavada." About 100 years later...

The two sects of monks further split into different schools. Pali evidence indicates 18 schools, while Sanskrit evidence suggests 20 schools.

The Third Buddhist Council

This event took place during the reign of Emperor Ashoka, aimed at eliminating heretics who had falsely ordained themselves into Buddhism. Moggalliputtatissa presided over the council, which lasted nine months. During this council, Moggalliputtatissa composed the Kathavatthu to clarify the Dharma.

After the Buddhist council concluded, King Ashoka sent nine missionary delegations to spread Buddhism, namely:

1. The Venerable Majjhantika Thera and his entourage traveled to Kashmir and Gandhara.

2. The delegation led by Mahādeva traveled to Mahishkamandala, which is the region of Mysore and the Godavari River valley in present-day South India.

3. The monk Rakkhita's group went to Vanavasi country, which is the present-day Bombay region.

4. The Dharmarakkhita monks went to the Aparantaka region, in the Arabian Sea area north of Bombay.

5. The Mahadhammarakkhita group went to Maharashtra, the spread of Emperor Ashoka's teachings.

6. The Mahadhammarakkhita group went to Yonaka, including the Greek kingdoms in Central Asia, Iran, and Turkestan.

7. The Majjhima Thera group went to the Himalayan region, present-day Nepal.

8. The Sona and Uttara groups went to Suvarnabhumi, including Thailand, Burma, and the Mon people.

9. The Mahinda group went to Sri Lanka.

Birth of Mahayana

Mahayana Buddhism began to take shape around the 6th-7th centuries CE, as a monastic order that differed from the original 18-20 sects that existed at that time. Mahayana thought developed from the ideas of the Mahasanghaka sect and those that branched off from it. The key difference from the original sects was that this group of monks emphasized the Bodhisattva aspect and the role of lay people more, thus leading them to establish a new sect. The reasons for the development of Mahayana Buddhism were...

1. The impetus from the modernization of Brahmanism, the composition of the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata to attract readers and foster devotion to the gods, and the establishment of three supreme deities: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, coupled with support from the king, led to a rapid revival of Brahmanism. Buddhism therefore needed to adapt.

2. Inspired by the Buddha's personality, the Mahayana school views the Buddha as a great individual whose existence should not end after his Parinirvana, leaving Buddhists feeling as if they lack a spiritual guide. Therefore, they emphasize his virtues as a Bodhisattva, encouraging Buddhists to aspire to Buddhahood and cultivate themselves as Bodhisattvas to help others. This later led to the concept of the Buddha's Trikaya (three bodies).

3. It arose from the role of lay Buddhists. Because Mahayana Buddhism emphasizes the cultivation of perfections by Bodhisattvas, and since Bodhisattvas can be laypeople, this opened up opportunities for laypeople to play a more significant role. Important teachers of the Mahayana school include Ashvaghosha, Nagarjuna, Asanga, and Vasubandhu, among others. After its formation, Mahayana Buddhism, which is characterized by its ability to adapt more easily to different traditional beliefs in various regions than Theravada Buddhism (which is more rigid), spread from India to many countries in Asia.

The spread of Mahayana

India and the decline of Buddhism: Mahayana Buddhism in India underwent...

Supported by the Kushan dynasty, after the death of the Suttaraj of the Kushan dynasty, Buddhism was patronized by the Gupta dynasty. A center of Buddhist learning, Nalanda University, was established.

The Vikramshila University in northeastern India had renowned teachers such as Nagarjuna. Buddhism during this period spread to China and Southeast Asia until the end of the Gupta dynasty due to the Han Chinese invasion in the 11th century CE.

The records of the Chinese monk Ijing, who arrived in India in the 12th century CE, state that Buddhism...

Flourishing in Andhra, Dhanyaka, and Dravidia (present-day Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu), there are also Buddhists in Nepal and Sasanbha in the Danda Kingdom (present-day West Bengal).

And in Harshavardhana, after the end of the Harshavardhana kingdom, many smaller kingdoms arose, with the Rajput states patronizing Buddhism. It wasn't until the Pala Empire in Bengal that Mahayana Buddhism flourished again and spread to Sikkim and Bhutan between the 13th and 17th centuries CE. When the Pala Empire was ruled by Hindu kings of the Sena dynasty, Buddhism declined. The decline of Buddhism in India began slowly from the 15th century CE onwards. The decline in eastern India began when the Pala Empire promoted Vaishnavism Hinduism, while in northern India, it began around 1736 CE

when cruel and inhumane Muslim Turks

led by Muhammad Shiva invaded India, burning down Nalanda University, a Buddhist center, and persecuting and killing Buddhists in an attempt to destroy the Buddhist religion.

From 1742 CE onwards.

Attempts to introduce Islam into Bihar forced kind-hearted and compassionate Buddhists to migrate because they could not tolerate the inhumane cruelty of the Muslim group who brought death to their peaceful land. Buddhists had to abandon their peaceful homes, fleeing persecution from brutal Muslim bandits, heading north into the Himalayas or south to Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the decline of Buddhism was also a result of the resurgence of Hinduism under the leadership of various movements such as the Adhvaita Bhakti and the preaching of Sufi monks.

Buddhism in Central Asia

Buddhism in Xinjiang Uyghur and Central Asia: Central Asia has been influenced by Buddhism since the time of the Buddha. Theravada documents mention that two merchants from Bactria, Tapasa and Kilsika, met the Buddha and pledged themselves as followers. Upon returning to their homeland, they built Buddhist temples and practiced and spread the Buddha's teachings, highlighting the virtues and goodness he taught.

Guiding the way to liberation from suffering, Central Asia was an important region for contact between China, India, and Persia. The westward migration of the ancient Huns in 343 BC into lands influenced by Greek civilization, particularly the Bactrian kingdom, led to cultural exchange. The expansion of Buddhism northward gave rise to Buddhist kingdoms in Central Asia. Many cities along the Silk Road were Buddhist centers that welcomed travelers from both the West and the East.

Initially, Theravada Buddhism spread to the Turkic lands before blending with the Mahayana sect that later arrived. These lands include areas that are now Pakistan, Kashmir, Afghanistan, and the entire country of Iran. However, the largest number of Buddhists are in Iran, particularly in eastern Iran and along the coasts of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan. Ancient kingdoms of that era included Gandhara, Bactria, Parthia, and Socrates. Buddhism in this region later spread to China, and the influence of local beliefs led to the emergence of several sects of Buddhism there, the most prominent being the Dharmagupta and Sarvastivahin schools.

Buddhism in Central Asia declined when Islam invaded and brutally massacred its followers. The Muslims burned, bombed, and destroyed Buddhist temples and artifacts that had once flourished in the region, and massacred many Buddhists., Use Islamic law to control the system and cleanse it.

Buddhism was ultimately lost, with the destruction of stupas and the massacre of Buddhists during religious wars in the 12th century. Buddhism showed signs of revival when Genghis Khan invaded the region, leading to the establishment of territories under Ilshan and Saqqader Khans in the 18th century. However, a hundred years later, most of the Mongols who had previously practiced Buddhism were subjected to execution for any violation of religious orders. Islamic religious authorities attempted to seize control, forcing the Mongols to convert to Islam. This led to the widespread adoption of Islam throughout Central Asia, where it continues to this day.

Buddhism in Parthia

Buddhism spread westward to Parthia.

At least as far as the Merb region of ancient Margiana, now in Turkmenistan, many Parthians played a role in the spread of Buddhism, with numerous Parthian translators translating Buddhist scriptures into Pali and Chinese.

Buddhism in the Tarim Basin

In eastern Central Asia (Turkishstan in China, the Tarim Basin, and the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region), a large amount of Buddhist art has been found, showing the influence of Buddhism mixed with Greek art, Gandhara style art, and inscriptions written in the Sharosthi scripture. Central Asia was an important link in the spread of Buddhism eastward. The earliest translators of scriptures into Pali and Chinese were Parthians, Kushans, or Sogdia. Extensive contact and exchange of Buddhism between Central and East Asia occurred during the 15th century CE, leading to the establishment of Buddhism in China, where it remains to this day.

Buddhism in China

Buddhism is believed to have entered China in the 6th century CE via Central Asia (although there are accounts of monks reaching China as early as the time of Emperor Ashoka). It wasn't until the 13th century CE, around 610 CE, that a center for the dissemination of Buddhism in China was established by two monks: Kasyapa Matanga and Dharmaraksha.

In 611 CE, Emperor Mingdi of the Dong Dynasty built the White Horse Temple, which still stands today, near the capital, Luoyang. The first translation of Mahayana Buddhist scriptures into Chinese was done by a monk from Kushan, Lokasema, in Luoyang between 721 and 732 CE. Early Buddhist art was influenced by the Dongdhara style. Buddhism flourished in China during the Tang Dynasty. This dynasty was open to foreign influences and engaged in cultural exchange with India, with many Chinese monks traveling to India during the 9th-16th centuries CE.

Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, became an important center of Buddhism and a hub for its spread to Korea and Japan. However, foreign influence became a negative factor towards the end of the Tang Dynasty. In 1388, Emperor Wu Song declared foreign religions, including Christianity, Zoroastrianism, and Buddhism, outlawed them and instead promoted Taoism, which had flourished during his reign. Temples and scriptures were destroyed, and monks were forced to disrobe, thus ending the glory of Buddhism. Pure Land Buddhism and Chan Buddhism continued to flourish, becoming the Zen sect in Japan. Chan Buddhism in China exerted influence during the Song Dynasty.

Buddhism in Korea

Buddhism entered Korea around 915 CE when envoys from China brought scriptures and paintings to the Doguryeo Kingdom. Buddhism flourished in Korea, particularly Zen Buddhism, in the 12th century until the Confucian revival during the Joseon Dynasty, from around 1935 CE, after which Buddhism gradually declined.

Buddhism in Japan

Japan received Buddhism around the 11th century CE, when Korean monks brought Buddhist scriptures and art to Japan. With the end of the Silk Road and the decline of Buddhism in India, Central Asia, and China, Japan maintained a flourishing Buddhist tradition. From around 1253 CE onwards, numerous temples and religious statues were built in the capital, Nara. Chinese cultural influences were blended into Japanese art through the arrival of the Chinese monk Jian Yuan. Japanese Buddhist art flourished from the 13th to the 18th centuries CE. During the 17th and 18th centuries CE, Zen Buddhism and its related art flourished. Buddhism continues to thrive in Japan to this day.

Buddhism in Southeast Asia

During the 6th century CE, overland trade via the Silk Road was restricted due to the expansion of the Persian Empire in the Middle East and hostility towards Rome. Romans, seeking goods from the Far East, therefore engaged in maritime trade between the Mediterranean Sea and China, via India. During this time, India exerted significant influence over Southeast Asia, encompassing southern Burma, central and southern Thailand, lower Cambodia, and southern Vietnam. Coastal trade flourished as a result of the spread of Buddhist civilization into the region. Pali and Sanskrit languages ​​spread with both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism. Brahmanism also spread into the area, along with important literary works such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata. During the 10th-18th centuries CE, Southeast Asia, including the area of ​​present-day Thailand

after Buddhism in India gradually

declined...There were two flourishing empires that excelled in Buddhism and Buddhist art. The dominant belief system during this period was Mahayana Buddhism, and these empires exhibited a distinctly Buddhist influence.

These are the Srivijaya Kingdom of Thailand and the Khom Kingdom, (Khom are not Khmer Cambodians; They are the ancestors of the Thai people...Please do not confuse them!).

Ancient kingdoms built by the Thai people and their ancestors. Currently, the land of this kingdom was plundered by French troops and given to the Khmer people (Present-day Cambodia).

The event in which the French shamelessly invaded and plundered Thai territory, establishing it as the country of Cambodia...

It is a movement by colonialists, the most influential countries in the world, acting as a group to plunder Thai land, persecute the monarchy by writing fake news, attacking and slandering with the aim of destroying the Thai monarchy. This is driven by jealousy of the brilliance and intelligence of the Thai people, who possess knowledge and abilities in various fields. Thailand's fertile geographical location, unmatched by any other country in the world, led to a request by the Thai government during World War II, specifically during the Indochina-French dispute (1940-1941), for a review of the Indochina borders, which had previously been under the administration of the Kingdom of Thailand.

Reflecting the true situation and international standards, it confirms that the territory is under Thai rule., However, France refused to compromise and insisted on invading and occupying Thai territory. France also sent five aircraft to bomb Nakhon Phanom province, resulting in numerous Thai casualties. France's actions ignited tensions, and they continued to provoke Thailand in every way. Therefore, Thailand prepared to confront France decisively to resolve the territorial issue. This included deploying field troops comprising the Eastern Army, Northeastern Army, Northern Army, Southern Combined Forces, and Bangkok Combined Forces, ready for combat at any time upon order.

The Srivijaya Kingdom, also known as the Sripothi Kingdom, was centered in Thailand. It was a highly developed region during the flourishing Silk Road era. Thailand was a crucial stopover point and a vital trading hub. Its territory encompassed the Malay Peninsula, Java, Sumatra, the Strait of Malacca, and the Sunda Strait, encompassing southern Thailand. Its center was located in present-day Surat Thani province. The kingdom's territory was divided into three parts: the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and Java. Java later separated to form the Majapahit Kingdom. When Srivijaya weakened, Majapahit invaded, conquering Sumatra and parts of the Malay Peninsula, ultimately leading to its downfall. The remaining part of the Malay Peninsula was later revived and established as the Nakhon Si Thammarat Kingdom by members of the royal family from the Phetchaburi Kingdom. Professor George Cœdès noted that...

Srivijaya was established sometime before 1225 CE. Inscriptions in ancient Malay concerning the Srivijaya kingdom have been found in Sumatra and at Wat Sema Muang in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, Thailand. A Sanskrit inscription in Chaiya also mentions Srivijaya as a remarkably prosperous port city, surrounded by abundant high-quality crops, including rice, chili peppers, long pepper, and peppercorns, along with numerous betel nut and coconut trees and a plethora of fruit trees.

The Chinese monk Yijing once traveled from Guangzhou, China, by Arab ship, through Funan, and stayed in the Srivijaya Kingdom of Thailand in November 1214 CE for two months before continuing his journey through Kedah, the Nicobar Islands, and reaching the port of Tambralinga in India to spread Buddhism. Yijing recorded that Mahayana Buddhism flourished in the Srivijaya Kingdom. Originally, over 90 percent of the people in the Malay Peninsula were Buddhists, but they also had contact with Arab Muslim merchants who traveled through to China and stopped in the Srivijaya Kingdom of Thailand. Therefore, later, Islam, which had quietly formed from groups of Muslim itinerant merchants who brought Muslim slaves to sell

to these itinerant merchants for labor, gradually spread to this region. Some chose to settle in this area, and thus Islam gradually became widespread They spread and expanded their species to Malacca, Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, and Pattani in Thailand

Similarly, overseas Chinese fled famine in China and sought refuge in Thailand, working for money, food, and shelter.

Buddhism in Thailand

Influenced and passed down from ancient kingdoms such as Dvaravati, Srivijaya, and Sukhothai, Buddhism has taken deep root to become the national religion of Thailand and the spiritual center of the Thai people to this day. The history of Buddhism begins with the time of the Buddha, whose founder and preacher, the Lord Buddha, attained enlightenment on the 15th day of the waxing moon of the month of Vesakha (the 6th lunar month) under the Bodhi tree in Uruvela, Magadha, India, 45 years before the Buddhist era. This location is now known as Bodh Gaya. From there, Buddhism spread throughout India. One hundred years after the Buddha's Parinirvana, it split into various sects, the most important of which are Theravada and Mahayana. During the 6th century CE, overland trade via the Silk Road was restricted due to the expansion of the Persian Empire in the Middle East and hostility towards Rome. The Romans, needing goods from the Far East, instead engaged in maritime trade, establishing connections between the Mediterranean Sea and Thailand. This led Arab merchants, transporting goods and Muslim slaves, to switch to using ships instead, traversing the Indian Ocean to trade with Thailand. At that time, Thailand was a major port and trading center. During this period, India exerted significant influence over Southeast Asia, encompassing southern Burma, central and southern Thailand, and southern Vietnam. Coastal trade in Thailand flourished. The Pali and Sanskrit languages ​​spread throughout the region along with Buddhism, both Theravada and Mahayana. Brahmanism also spread into this area during the 10th-18th centuries CE.

Thailand was home to two flourishing Buddhist and artistic empires of this era. The dominant beliefs during this period were Mahayana Buddhism, primarily within the Srivijaya Kingdom, centered in Thailand. To the north was the Khom Empire, An ancient kingdom of the Thai people, built by their ancestors. These lands produced numerous images of Bodhisattvas for worship. Buddhist art from the Srivijaya Kingdom spread throughout Southeast Asia, becoming known as Srivijaya art.

Interest in Buddhism in Thailand began to gain traction during the colonial era, when Western powers had the opportunity to study Thai Buddha images, temples, historical sites, and artifacts in more detail. European philosophy at the time was influenced by Buddhism, as was Buddhist culture. Translations of Buddhist scriptures into Western languages ​​began, initiated by Max Muller, who published "Sacred Books of the East." The Pali Text Society was established to publish the Tripitaka and other Buddhist texts, but interest remained limited to Western intellectuals and the upper class.

Buddhism began to gain widespread interest in Europe in the 25th Buddhist century, after World War II. Western religious beliefs shifted, placing greater emphasis on individual beliefs. This made Buddhism in Thailand attractive because it is the only religion in the world that modern scientists can verify and discover its truth through its evidence and practice. Buddhist organizations

were established globally by Buddhists from Asia, Europe, and North America, totaling 28 countries., And in Sri Lanka in 1950,

an organization concerning Buddhism was established under the name of the World Buddhist Fellowship.

England

Buddhism was first introduced to England in 1945 by J.R. Jackson, who founded the Buddhist Society in England, and Charles Henry Allen Bernett, who later became a monk in Burma under the monastic name Ananda Maitreya, the first English monk to do so. The Thai Sangha sent its first diplomatic mission to spread Buddhism in 1964 and established Wat Buddhapadipa in London, England, as a spiritual center for Buddhists.

Germany

The first Buddhist propagation association was established in 1903. Later, some Germans ordained as monks in Sri Lanka. The propagation of Buddhism in Germany was halted during World War I and was banned during Hitler's era.

During World War II, Buddhism was revived once again, with monks from Thailand establishing a Thai temple in Berlin as well.

In Germany, there are many Thai temples and meditation centers scattered throughout major cities, serving as centers of spiritual unity for Thai people and for the propagation of Buddhism., The following is a list of the prominent and important temples located in the main city:

Berlin

- Wat Buddharama: Located at Schoenagelstr. 24, 12685 Berlin.

- Wat Buddhavihara: Located at Malchower Straße 23, 13089 Berlin-Pankow.

Munich and the state of Bavaria.

- Wat Buddhadhamma: Located in Freising, near Munich Airport (Dürneck 24A, 85354 Freising)

- Wat Thai Biberbachrattanaram: Located in Bavaria (you can find the latest location information on the temple's Facebook page).

Frankfurt

- Wat Bodhidharma: Has areas for meditation and religious activities.

Hamburg

- Wat Buddhabharami: Located at Woeschenhof 11, 22045 Hamburg.

Dortmund

- Wat Analayo (Analayo Forest Monastery): Located at Wittenerstr, Dortmund.

Wat Dhammabharami: Location

Located at Engelbertstr. 1a, 44379

Special outstanding place

Wat Buddhametta Warburg: Located in the old train station building in Warburg (it is considered the only Thai temple in Europe located inside a train station).

Buddhism in the United States

Buddhism entered the United States in 1905, spread by a group of monks who traveled from Thailand. In 1961, the University of Wisconsin offered the first doctoral program in Buddhist studies in the United States. Furthermore, monks from Thailand established the first Thai temple in the US in 1972. There are now over 120 Thai temples throughout the United States, most of which belong to the Thai Sangha Assembly in the USA. These temples serve as spiritual centers, organizing religious activities and preserving Thai culture, providing a space for Thais and Buddhists living abroad to practice meditation and participate in activities with other Thais overseas.

Famous Thai temples that serve as community centers in various states of the United States include:

- Wat Thai of Los Angeles: Located in California, it is the first and largest Thai temple in the United States and serves as a central hub for the largest Thai community (in the Thai Town area).

- Wat Thai Washington, D.C.: Located in Maryland, near the capital, this is another large temple that regularly holds activities to preserve Thai traditions. You can check the activity schedule on the Wat Thai Washington, D.C. website.

- Vajiradhammapadip Temple: Located in New York State (with branches in Mount Vernon and Centereach), it serves as a spiritual center for Eastern Buddhists.

- Dhammaram Temple: Located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. There are also important temples in various regions, such as the Dallas Buddhist Temple in Texas, and the Nevada Dhammaram Temple in San Diego, USA.

Buddhism is a atheistic religion

(No creator God) and the third largest in the world, with more than 1 billion followers. The teachings of Buddhism are over 3,000 years old, emphasizing self-reliance, the development of wisdom, compassion, and morality. It stresses not harming other living beings, focusing on good deeds and good thoughts, and aiming to help all beings escape suffering. These teachings have been adapted harmoniously to Thai culture for the purpose of liberation from suffering.

In terms of cultural and architectural heritage, Buddhist temples and religious sites in Thailand have created numerous world-class works of art and architecture. These serve as guiding lights for those interested in studying and learning about Buddhism, leading them towards liberation from suffering. Thailand is a country with many Buddhist temples and religious sites, known as "Buddhist religious sites," which are places or structures built as centers for religious ceremonies, residences for monks and novices, and spiritual anchors for Buddhists. Built from fervent faith...

Over 40,000 locations have contributed to building a strong Thai nation in terms of law, tradition, and...Buddhism is the national religion of Thailand. Thailand is the land of Buddhism, the starting point of the greatest faith in the world, both in terms of philosophy and universal acceptance. It forms the foundation of the science of "mindfulness," widely accepted in the Western world and lauded as the most virtuous and noble religion in the world. It is also supported by the fields of psychology and modern medicine, which can scientifically prove its truth without any doubt. It emphasizes the use of reason, understanding the nature of life, and practicing selflessness, kindness, morality, and goodness, without harming or oppressing others. It fosters contentment with one's possessions, making it a way of life that people worldwide study and practice in search of true liberation from suffering.

"Buddhism is the national religion of Thailand. Thai people are Buddhists, and Buddhism is widely regarded as the best and most beautiful religion in the world. Furthermore, Buddhism is the only religion in the world that science can prove."

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