Do Thai people really believe and practice curses such as the red shirts pouring blood on government houses?
They have, and they are called 'mah pii'. A 'mah doo' is a fortuneteller. Superstition is quite normal in Thailand. For most Thais ghosts and black magic are real. If a Thai feels he has been cursed, he goes to a professional to do something about it. Usually to a temple, where a revered monk will do his best to lift the curse. I know about a temple where the 'magic' monks have been removed to another temple as not to cause problems for a royal visit to that temple. Before the visit, lots of people would go there to buy amulets, and have things blessed or uncursed. This temple, incidentally, is close to the Mea Pra Khanong shrine. If you are interested, I recommend to visit the Mea Pra Khanong shrine. Take the skytrain, get off at On Nuch, take a taxi to Sukhmvit Soi 77, ask for Mea Pra Khanong. Every taxidriver will know this shrine.
What are major differences of Buddhism practiced in Sri Lanka compared to Thailand, even though they are both Theravada?
From my observations, I can point out a few differences.Most Sri Lankan Buddhist temples have a vihara for meditation and an attached devale, which has a Hindu god where pilgrims ask for favours or wishes.The Thais worship Hindu gods in separate temples like the Erawan shrine. Thai Buddhist temples have some guardian deities, but people usually go to them for offerings and paying respects to the Buddha.Sri Lankan Buddhists chant the Pirith, a beautiful and calming prayer that is mostly in Pali, while Thais chant Sanskrit and Thai prayers.The clergy in Sri Lanka try to play a role in the political system, unlike in Thailand where they generally stay away. This may have to do with the fact that Thailand is more homogenous than Sri Lanka.
Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia - Culture questions.?
I haven't been to Vietnam yet. I can speak to Thailand (Cambodia, which I have been to, will have some similarities to Thailand because it is also a Buddhist country). Don't point your feet at anyone. Don't touch people on the head (head is the highest part of the body). Don't raise your voice in anger to get something done. Thai people generally eat with the spoon & not the fork (the fork is used to shovel food onto the spoon). Try not to talk about politics in the country you're visiting, current or past. Dress modestly and/or well. Take your shoes off before you enter a house. Don't disparage the monarchy in Thailand (you could actually go to jail if you do). Don't be a drunk lout. Most countries in Asia place a tremendous amount of value on social hierarchy, so you have to be more polite and respectful to those above your stature. In Thailand, for example, you don't have to wai a child because they are below you; you would, however, have to show a great deal of reverence to a monk. That being said, I've been to both Cambodia and Thailand (currently live in Thailand) and people generally don't get too bent out of shape if you make a minor mistake (they realize you wouldn't *know*).
How different are the forms of Buddhism practiced in India, Tibet, China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam etc.?
Theravada, the most ancient form of Buddhism, is the dominant school in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia, and Laos). Its name translates to "Doctrine of the Elders," and it centers around the Pali scriptures, transcribed from the oral tradition taught by the Buddha. By studying these ancient texts, meditating, and following the eightfold path, Theravada Buddhists believe they will achieve Enlightenment. Strong emphasis is also placed on the monastic community and on heeding the advice of the wise.Mahayana Buddhism developed out of the Theravada tradition roughly 500 years after the Buddha attained Enlightenment. A number of individual schools and traditions have formed under the banner of Mahayana, including Zen Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Pure Land Buddhism, and Tantric Buddhism. Mahayana Buddhism focuses on the idea of compassion and touts bodhisattvas, which are beings that work out of compassion to liberate other sentient beings from their suffering, as central devotional figures.Vajrayana was last of the three ancient forms to develop, and provides a quicker path to Enlightenment than either the Theravada or Mahayana schools. They believe that the physical has an effect on the spiritual and that the spiritual, in turn, affects the physical. Vajrayana Buddhists encourage rituals, chanting, and tantra techniques, along with a fundamental understanding of Theravada and Mahayana schools, as the way to attain EnlightenmentZen Buddhism is said to have originated in China with the teachings of the monk Bodhidharma. Zen Buddhism treats zazen meditation and daily practice as essential for attaining Enlightenment, and deemphasizes the rigorous study of scripture.
What type of role did temples most likely play in everyday religious practice and community life?
1. Temples played a small role. Only religious leaders could enter temples, so people worshipped elsewhere. 2. Temples played a large role. State religion and its related practices, including visiting temples, were enforced. 3. Temples played a small role. The expectation of offerings meant that only the wealthy could actively participate in temple culture. 4. Temples played a large role. Temples were the focus of all religious worship and practice in most communities.