Being Buddhist

Please identify yourself! Are you Buddhist ?

• Of course, I am Buddhist. And I never think of conversion.

• Yes, I am Buddhist, but I am not sure about the religion..

• Well, I'd like to leave the religion, but this may dissatisfy my family.

• No, I am not Buddhist. (Christian, Muslim, ..., or atheist)

How did you learn Buddhism?

• I learned from my family and Buddhist environment.

• I learned at schools.

• I learned from media (books, magazines, television, website, or YouTube etc.) by myself.

• I did as in the above choices, yet I haven't known much.

What does Buddhist do as Buddhist?

• They give food, clothes, necessary things and money to monks.

• They worship the Three Jewels -- Buddha, his teaching and his disciples.

• They observe the self-discipline of keeping the five precepts.

• They meditate to gain some spiritual or mystic power.

Do you think, Buddhism is important to humanity nowadays?

• YES

• NO

• I am not sure about the answer.

What do you think first when the word "21st Century" is mentioned?

• Globalization (with transportation and communication)

• Multiculturalism

• Netizen (internet+citizen)

• Human rights and freedom

What is the problem for Buddhism in the 21st century?

• Less people are interested to become a monk.

• People leave Buddhism for other religions or atheism.

• People pay less money for their Buddhism.

• It is not to determine in a constitution that Buddhism is the state religion.

How is Buddhism important to Thai people?

• It is the fundament of Thai culture (language, world view) , in the other word, Thainess.

• It is a part of Thai tradition, which does not involved with (ordinary) people nowadays.

As a student, what do you think about learning Buddhism in university?

• It is a part of Thai culture. To deal with Thai people, we should know it as a fundamental knowledge of our study.

• It is an ancient wisdom that has interested many people including those in the western world. So, I would like to know how it is interesting.

• I think it is boring. But I would like to try again in this course.