Mikaela Vournas
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Mikaela Vournas is an anthropology and geography senior and Mustang News study abroad columnist.
My Buddhist philosophy professor is a 40-something white man from New Jersey. He was ordained as a Buddhist monk in China and practiced in Thailand for many years. He is also a surgeon.
Thailand, which is 95 percent Buddhist, draws a lot of westerners interested in a zen lifestyle. They are often seeking peace of mind or simply a break from their stressful and demanding lives at home.
Having been in Thailand for some time now, I can understand the attraction.
Buddhism is deeply entrenched in the culture of Thailand. Though the religion is prominent in other countries, it takes on qualities that are unique to each culture.
Buddhist monuments are ubiquitous. These so-called “spirit houses” can be found in almost every restaurant, classrooms and even parking lots. They are designed to ward off evil spirits. These spirit houses are not simply Buddhist, as you would not find them outside of Thailand. They represent a sort of spiritual animism mixed with Zen Buddhism — the combination of which is uniquely Thai.
In the first few jet-lagged days I had in Chiang Mai, I would wake up by 5:30 a.m. or so and walk down the streets to a market. I witnessed many Thai monks dressed in orange or yellow robes carrying baskets or bags from street vendor to street vendor. They would approach the person and exchange a few words, a handful of food and a thank you, but never any money.
I would later come to learn that this practice is called “giving alms.” It is a way for the monks to receive sustenance and to be able to continue their practice without being forced to work for a wage. The vendors may simply donate to the monks out of reverence. In return, the street vendors are presumably granted karmic retribution.
Buddhism plays a major role in my day-to-day life here in Thailand. A typical quarter at Cal Poly for me would involve a high level of stress, many hours of class and out-of-class work in addition to a part-time job.
In Thailand, university students are expected to be serious about their schooling, and above all, honest. If I happen to sleep halfway through my 8 a.m. class, showing up near the end and explaining my situation with a quick apology is a normal and adequate response.
If the class wishes to reschedule a midterm in order to accommodate travel plans, the professor is usually flexible and accommodating.
It is considered normal for Thai students to be like family to their professors. They go to each other’s houses for dinner and the teacher may even loan the student personal money to pay for their tuition.
Thais trust one another. A taxi driver may drop someone off and pick them up without requesting any payment or deposit up front. I often ride my bicycle to class and leave it unlocked in front of the building.
This is not to say that crime or impolite exchanges never happen. They may, but Buddhist Thais often believe the consequence for the perpetrator is simply bad karma.
A society based on the honor system and a more realistic set of expectations for peers creates this kind of simple way of life that draws people like myself and my professor to Thailand.
For the most part, Thai Buddhists are happy because they live simply and are satisfied with what they have. They take joy not out of material possessions, but out of the energy from nature and the love from the people around them.
One does not need to be Buddhist to incorporate this school of thought into daily life.
The most important thing I have earned this semester, and something I will certainly take back with me, is to try to live the Thai Buddhist way.