No one denies that we have a Philosophy in Thailand for the Thai people. Buddhism has been the way of life of the Thai people throughout its history, but we all know that Buddha was a native of India and never came to Thailand. Buddhism as well as Western philosophy was imported into Thailand and has become a subject of study.
That we do not have a Thai philosophy, like Indian, Chinese, American or German philosophy is both true and false at the same time, but not in the same respect.
Though the Thai people are good followers of Buddha, the Thai Buddhism is unique in the world, both in its explanations and in its practices. The Thais have accepted Buddhism with adaptation, knowing how to adapt in a proper way its philosophical capacity. Hence, the Thai traditional beliefs and practices are not void of philosophical questions and answers.
Is there a Thai Philosophy?
ReplyDeleteby Kirti Bunchua
http://www.crvp.org/book/Series03/III-16/chapter_xv.htm
In a recent meeting of the Thai instructors of philosophy, it was observed that thus far we do not have a Thai Philosopher or a Thai Philosophy on the basis of which to develop a course.
ReplyDeleteNo one denies that we have a Philosophy in Thailand for the Thai people. Buddhism has been the way of life of the Thai people throughout its history, but we all know that Buddha was a native of India and never came to Thailand. Buddhism as well as Western philosophy was imported into Thailand and has become a subject of study up to the level of a doctoral degree.
That we do not have a Thai philosophy, like Indian, Chinese, American or German philosophy is both true and false at the same time, but not in the same respect. True, there is not yet a subject called “Thai philosophy” in any curriculum and the Thai name has not yet appeared in any philosophical manual. Nevertheless, if we take the definition of philosophy in its broad meaning as the search for new understanding, there is no lack of philosophical thoughts coming from creative Thai minds.
Though the Thai people are good followers of Buddha, the Thai Buddhism is unique in the world, both in both its explanations and in its practices. The Thais have accepted Buddhism with adaptation, knowing how to adapt in a proper way its philosophical capacity. Hence, the Thai traditional beliefs and practices are not void of philosophical questions and answers.