"The" Budda, the original
Budda, was from India. His name was Gautama Siddhartha. This Buddha
lived approximately 2552 years ago. The Thai calendar follows this
notion, as this year is 2552, not 2009 to Thai people. Of course they
use 2009 in many instances to help foreign visitors here to understand
what they're talking about.
Budda was said to have sat under a
type of tree called a "Bodhi" tree where he became enlightened. To say
the Budda was "enlightened" is to say he became free from suffering. The
Budda's mind no longer was chained by attachment to things... to ideas,
to beliefs, to opinions. Siddhartha Budda saw reality as it truly is -
free from the cravings that are usually part of the mind.
Thais in Thailand respect the
original Budda most of all, but they also have other Thai monks that are
VERY important to them.
Important Thai Buddhist Figures:
- Budda (also spelled, "Buddha")
- Luang Por Tuad
- Pra Upakut
- Aj. Jumnien (Vipassana Meditation
teacher in south)
- Kwan yin (Gwan Yin) - goddess
of compassion
- Ganesh - an elephant, of prime
importance to Indians, Thais respect them - but don't revere them as
much as the Indians do.
Because the Budda transcended
this mind we all have, he was able to teach others the path to
liberation - to becoming like him - with a mind free from suffering,
attachment, craving.
Meditating on the breath is a
favorite past time for many Thai people here in Thailand. There are
numerous Vipassana retreats that go for 10 days usually and that are
attended by many foreigners visiting the country.
The original Budda is the
ultimate figure in Buddism, but, there have been other Buddas to come
after him.
If you are interested in
learning more about meditation - which can lead you to enlightenment
please have a look around the site here for some links to other Buddism
articles and information.
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