[Buddha-l] Non Orthodox Elements within Thai Buddhism

[Bankei]

I have just spent a short period as ordained as a monk in Thailand and was
very surprised at the level of non orthodox elements within Thai Buddhism.

These include:
- Brahmanical/Hindu deities worshiped throughout large shrines in Bangkok
- many Buddhist temples have Brahmanical/Hindu deities, such as Ganesh, on
Buddhist shrines
- Monks making large Phallus's (lifesize!) to be worn on their belts as some
sort of good luck charm
- Kwanyin (of Chinese Mahayana) is very popular with some temples having
shrines, and many (mainly women) considering themselves devotees - and
refraining from eating beef etc
- Religious tattoos are very popular, especially in the countryside. I
believe that these are mainly obtained for reasons of protection.
- Amulets are very popular still
- monks making predictions/palm reading type stuff
- widespread belief in ghosts (Phii?), etc

Yesterday a mentally disturbed man attacked one shrine in Bangkok with a
hammer. This was the  famous Erawan Shrine. The Thao Maha Brahma statue,
which is also known as Phra Prom was smashed to pieces. The perpetrator was
beaten to death by an angry crowd.
see http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/22Mar2006_news02.php

When talking about these things with Thai friends, they all insist these are
Buddhist shrines.

I must admit that I am a rationalist bookish type of Buddhist myself, so I
had always considered these to be degenerations.

When I became a monk, I wanted to do it with an open mind and to go along
with the flow of things.

While at the temple, a local man died and his body was brought to the
temple. The monks chanted next to the body for 5 days. Everyone believed the
man's spirit hung around for these 5 days. Even some senior monks told me
this. I thought this very interesting considering the teachings on anatta.
However, my Thai was not good enough to enquire in depth. (I still have a
problem with tones. I remember asking about ghosts, but mispronouncing the
word phii and asking about an elder brother)

I say all of this as I find it interesting. What is 'orthodox'
Theravada Buddhism? Just what is in the Pali Canon? Are Thai Buddhists
really Buddhists? or have they got it all wrong?

Bankei
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