Thailand Religion Essays - Asceticism, Monk, Monastery, Vinaya

Thailand Religion In the home, such as Kashrut, the preparation of food so that it is ritually acceptable, for example Kosher foods. Foods containing milk are never mixed with meat, nor eaten at the same meal. The weekly Sabbath is observed in the home, and begins with a women of the house lighting Sabbath candles. Observant Jews recite blessings before eating over wine, bread and other foods. In Buddhist religion author Gary Miles of the book All About Buddhism emphazises mostly on these points, monks and nuns lead simple, strict lives, studying the sacred texts, learning to chant and meditate and helping in the daily running of the monastery. Some also work or teach in the local community. The monks and nuns obey a set of monastery rules called vinaya. Many monasteries have 227 rules, but the number can vary. The rules include the Ten Precepts, which the monks vow to keep. These are the five precepts which ordinary Buddhists follow: 1.) Not to harm or kill any living thing 2.) Not to steal or take anything that is not freely given. 3.) To control sexual desire 4.) Not to tell lies 5.) Not to drink or take drugs Together with five extra rules ?not eating after midday, not singing or dancing in a frivolous way, not to wear perfume or jewlery, not sleeping on a bed and not taking gifts or money. As part of their simple lifestyle, these monks in Thailand have only 2 meals a day. The first is eaten early in the morning, at about 7am. The second must be eaten before noon. The meals are made up of food placed in the monks' alms bowls that morning by the local people. After this the monks fast until the next morning, with only water or tea without milk or sugar to drink. This teaches them self-discipline and helps them to train their minds.