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Thai
Thai Buddhist temple communities — wat culture, merit-making, and meditation lineages in Thailand and abroad.
Thai Buddhism is predominantly Theravāda, organized around the wat (temple-monastery) as the heart of village and urban life. Merit-making, monastic support, and festival calendars define much of lay practice, while forest and city meditation lineages offer deeper training.
Thai temples in the diaspora often retain Thai-language services and cultural schools while hosting English meditation groups. Some are connected to Dhammayut or Mahanikai orders; others affiliate with particular ajahns.
Practices
Tam bun (merit-making)
Offerings of food, robes, and support to the monastic Sangha.
Wat liturgy
Pali-Thai chanting for blessings, funerals, and holy days.
Meditation with monks
Breath and insight instructions offered at many city wats.
Texts
Thai Buddhism in Everyday Life
Ethnographic and introductory surveys of wat culture.
Food for the Heart
Ajahn Chah