I have taken lots of pictures of Buddhist shrines and religious rituals. It has been interesting to see another religion practiced so commonly. I have been inside Buddhist temples, and I was even sprayed by holy water from a Buddhist monk. I was just sitting with my Buddhist friends, and I got wet.
I have talked briefly with some of the Thai teachers about Buddhism and Christianity. I asked them questions and they've asked me some as well. Always simple questions. I asked, why do use lotus flowers? Buddhists believe lotus flowers help them pray. Why do monks wear orange? I still have no answer for this one. The woman I asked didn't know. What do you celebrate on the Day of Buddha? The day is doubly important. It marks the day of Buddha's birth and his death. They happened on different years on the same day. His death is also called his enlightenment, when he became the first enlightened person. Buddhists believe many others have become enlightened like he has. It is also interesting that Buddha lived and died about 500 years before Christ. The official year of the Buddhist calendar begins with him not Christ. No surprise there. I also noticed that Buddhists give a lot of money to the temples. They don't pass around the collection plate, but they give generously. This is admirable. It makes me wonder about why we pass around a collection plate in churches.
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