THAILAND

“Nam khuen hai rip tak” Thai Proverb

(When the water rises, hurry and scoop it up)

The Land of Smiles and Golden Temples, Thailand is warm, beautiful and welcoming. Home altars and shrines are commonplace in Thailand, combining Theravada Buddhism with animist traditions. Thai homes and businesses typically have two altars – one inside for spiritual devotion (Buddhist) and a spirit house (San Phra Phum) outside dedicated to the guardian spirits of the land.

Indoor Buddhist shrines are designed to enhance practice, provide quiet places of reflection and devotion. Usually placed, up they are kept clean and free from clutter, and usually contain a Buddha figure, candles to disperse the darkness of ignorance, incense for virtue, flowers to represent impermanence, and fruit and food to show gratitude, abundance and good karma.

San Phra Phum look like little temples often on stands, carefully placed outside so that the shadow of the house or business doesn’t fall across it. They are built to house the Chao Thi (Lord of the Land), a guardian spirit who protects the property and brings good fortune. Tiny figures of deities are placed inside the house along with elephants, horses, and attendants. People leave daily offerings of flowers, fruit, water (or brightly coloured soda), and rice to keep the spirits happy and to show their gratitude for their protection and good fortune.

Thai crafts play a big role in home worship, from the simple to the elaborate

Amulets (Phra Kuang) are usually made in temples & carry the protective power of the monks who bless them. Usually made from clay, metal, wood or powders.

Garlands (Phuang Malai) use jasmine and marigolds, and are threaded on a long needle. The represent good luck, respect and welcome.

Spirit Houses can be elaborate affairs, carved, embellished and often brightly coloured.

Taking Your Devotion Outside

Incorporating spaces of reflection outside can help you connect to nature and give thanks for the things we sometimes overlook, bringing greater meaning and mindfulness to our lives, and making the world more alive.

A burst of colour and gold injected into a garden with devotional flags, lanterns and golden Gautama Buddha.

Honouring water, sea or rivers. As well as thanking the spirits of water, releasing shrines onto water can be a wonderful way to release old emotions and attachments and make way for the new to flow in.

Bring your outside spaces alive with the sounds of ceremonial bells and wind chimes, giving thanks to the spirits of the air, and allowing the elements to dance and weave melody and harmony out of silence.

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