Culture can have different connotative and denotative meanings, no matter which one you prefer, there is one thing that is common in all, and that is us, the people. As humans, we tend to promote and propagate ideas that align with our thought processes. Culture, in this way, transcends the borders and resides within the hearts of men and women influenced by it, who later play a pivotal role in its propagation. 

One example of such cultural amalgamation is the Indo-Thai culture, and both nations have been influencing each other for centuries. The cultural cross-pollination has made it possible for Indian temples to exist in Thailand and Thai monasteries that you can visit in India.

Buddhism is inevitably connected to Indo-Thai relations and is indispensable to both cultures. In 1957, Buddhist monks collaborated with the Indian and Thai Governments to establish the Thai temples and monasteries in Gaya to spread Buddhism among the masses. The Thai Buddhist temple and monastery in Gaya are among the many such monuments of religious significance and are famous for their exquisite cultural experience. Gaya, one of the Indian holy cities, professes Buddhist ideology and culture with all its purity.

Gaya is a holy city situated on the bank of the Falgu River in the northeast Indian state of Bihar. People from around the world visit this holy city for its enriching religious and cultural experience. This monastery is a fine example of Thai architecture and displays myriad colours representing the unique Thai –culture. The residing monks play a pivotal role in spreading Lord Buddha’s ideologies. The temple boasts an enormous bronze structure, and the walls adorn magnificent paintings of Buddha. Every year people participate in a silent retreat organized by the monastery, where people practice meditation and yoga in complete silence.

So next time you plan to go on a spiritual journey, visit this beautiful Thai- temple and monastery in Gaya. It is an idyllic place for those seeking inner peace and enlightenment.

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“Quiz on Buddhism” by Embassy of India, Bangkok and Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

Buddhism Pick Courtesy: AzaToth Assumed, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Ceremonies

Multiple ceremonies that are significant to Thai culture have been adopted from Indian folklore, including celebrations of marriage, classification, merit-making, and incineration. Thai cultures’ most prominent influence comes from the Lord Buddha but is also inspired by Hindu idols and Hindu rituals, especially those involving the grand commemorations.

Religion

Buddhism was born in ancient Hindustan before reaching beyond Asia. Today over 95% of Thailand’s culture practise Theravada Buddhism, which has blended with folk faith and Chinese beliefs. The Thai Constitution includes a religious right for its people, however, still to this day the King of Thailand is needed by law to be Theravada Buddhist.

Language

The language was created by King Ramkhamhaeng the Great by moulding it on ancient Indian Sanskrit and Pali alphabets. The Thai language was also heavily inspired by Khmer, Malay, English, and Chinese. Refined over the past 700 years, the Thai alphabet consists today of 59 characters. It is a tonal language, saying the same word in a different expression has a separate definition.

Literature & Dance

Folkloric Thai literature and theatre have been massively inspired by the arts and legends of India. Thai literature was only affected with a few subjects; with religion, nobility and royalty, before a turn where prose became one of the chosen modes of writing. The Ramakien is one of the most famous Thai literary themes which originated from the Hindu epic Ramayana from India. This involves the ‘Khon’ and ‘Lakhon’ classical Thai dances from the Ramakien.

Food

With its own set of unique cuisine which includes rich, pungent, sour, and tangy tastes. It has emerged from India and Chinese influences. The impacts of international trade played an active part and it is gathered that Buddhist monks from India, first got the curry to Thailand. The most famous curries now are the Thai red curry which comprises of dried spices, including nutmeg and cinnamon and many more savouries.

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