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Unit 3
Message of the Land
Pira Sudham
Background Information
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Author
Bangkok
Thai Buddhism
Author
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Pira Sudham is considered Thailand's leading
English language writer, who was nominated for
the 1990 Nobel Prize for Literature. His literary
works are concerned with social-economicpolitical changes occurring in Thailand. Widely
read and highly acclaimed, his books have given
an expedient voice to the poor and the voiceless.
Bangkok
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Bangkok, population 8,538,610 (1990), is the capital
and largest city of Thailand. The city is located on the
east bank of the Chao Phraya River, near the Gulf of
Thailand.
Bangkok is one of the fastest-growing, most
economically dynamic and socially progressive cities
in Southeast Asia. Local people like to think that it is
emerging as a regional centre to rival Singapore and
Hong Kong (SAR), China, but it suffers from major
infrastructure and social problems as a result of its
rapid growth. It is also one of the world's most
popular tourist destinations.
Bangkok from the Chao
Phraya River at sunset,
July 2004
Bangkok
Bangkok's educational and cultural facilities include
several universities, a fine arts academy, a national
theater and a national museum. Processed food,
timber, and textiles are leading exports. Industrial
plants include rice mills, cement factories, sawmills, oil
refineries, and shipyards. The city is a famous jewelry
center, buying and selling silver and bronze ware.
Thai Buddhism
Buddhism is Thailand's main religion. 94% of Thai
people are Buddhist. The other are Muslim, Catholic or
Chinese. Buddhism was born 2,546 years ago (the
official year in Thailand is the year 2003 and the
traditional year is the year 2546). Buddhism is linked
with the historical Indian prince, Siddharta
Gautama, who became the Buddha and reached the
enlightenment. Now his teachings are still followed.
His teachings say that people suffer because they are
attached to material things, to women or men by heart
links. These links cause suffer, jealousy so pain. People
are never satisfied, i.e. they want more money, more
power. The aim of Buddhism is to get rid of these pains
and of these links. There are several kinds of
Buddhism. Thai Buddhism is called Theravada
Buddhism.
Thai Buddhism
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Everyone can hope to reach enlightenment
one day but path shall be long. It takes many
lives. Each time somebody or an animal dies,
it reincarnates in something else. It is the
endless cycle of existence. The rebirth
depends on your "KARMA". If you have done
good deeds in your life, next life will be better.
If you have done bad deeds, next life will be
harsh.
Thai Buddhism is fascinating because it is
mixed with older religions (Animism,
Brahmanism) which were present before the
introduction of Buddhism in Thailand.
Nowadays the influence of the previous
religions is still present.