Spirituality on the train
While I was in Bangkok on the train you can obeserve this. In every major city you have subways, LRT, intercity trains for public transport. You have special signs suggesting to give seats to pregnant women and the elderly. In Bangkok you have the same but also signages to please offer seats to monks if it is crowded. How beautiful. A major metropolitan city with spiritual tradition deep rooted and firm. Thai people may be modern, hip and city slickers, but they are very spiritual.
I loved seeing this signage on the train. Just wanted to share.
Tsem Rinpoche
Very nice!! it is only happen in Thailand.
I find this amazing. Do you?
I’m happy that respect is accorded to monks. It’s a step in the right direction – once the seed of respect is planted in a person, it is possible for them to respect anyone else, monk, nun, Buddhist, Muslim or otherwise.
This is indeed very special. Looking at these signs will keep remind us on our spirituality..
They are also very prejudiced. Not only are no provisions made for nuns (because mainstream Thai Buddhism does not recognize nuns), but no other religion is thus honored.
I had seen seats specially reserved for monks in the express boats too.
Thailand in history and practice, is a traditonal buddhist country, where buddhism has a stronghold. Therefore it naturally is well-supported by its government and majority of its people, though other religions are also allowed to exist therein. Our centre is also fortunate to be in a country like Malaysia, whose government though is islamic, yet give total freedom for other religions to practise harmoniously together there as long as the law is adhered to. Each main religious festive day is declared a holiday for the people to worship or celebrate such an important occassion. Spirituality is quite well supported by our government in Malaysia though differently.ry
Thailand and Malaysia are much alike–the first is dominated by Buddhists, the second by Muslims, with much inter-group friction. In fact several provinces of southern Thailand have Muslim majorities, but were given to Thailand by the British (over the objections of their residents, to be sure). So to speak of Buddhism as the “traditional” religion of Thailand overlooks the equally venerable history of rival religions / ethnic groups, just as with the Malaysian “bhumiputera” rhetoric. Just as you fear ethnic cleansing at the hands of Muslims, so do Thailand’s Muslims regard Buddhist monks as symbols of a hated occupation force.
This is so beautiful. Yes, we often see signage suggesting the public to give seats to pregnant women, elderly or the handicapped, signage asking to offer seats to monks are really rare. It’s good to see spirituality is so deep rooted in this concrete jungle where people hardly show their true self, genuine care and love to others.
Another thing I saw that when the monks were going on their rounds some of the elderly monks were helped by school kids and the kids help out the monks they then proceed to go to school. Imagine young people able to do service for the monks who are the people preserving our Buddhist lineage and tradition what good imprints will be planted in mind streams!
I think it’s wonderful.