More about Buddhism and Monks in Thailand

Pee Maha ( "Pee" means older brother, and is attached to the front of the name of someone older to show respect) is one of the managers of the Rice Fields Service Base. Pee Maha was ordained as a Buddhist monk when he was 11 years old.

On the way back from the orphanage (see last post) Pee Maha and I talked about both my time in the Marine Corps, and his time in the Monkhood. I found many parallels in our experience.
while the Buddhist Monkhood is fundamentally different than the Marine Corps, Our reasons for joining were similar. A sense of duty and service drives much of it.

Pee Maha explained that a young Thai will join the Monkhood to show gratitude to his parents, especially his mother who cannot ever become a monk, for providing for all of his needs while growing up.

The life of a Buddhist Monk in Thailand is very austere. Thailand follows the Theravada Buddhist school, which according to Pee Maha, observes more of the "old ways."
What I gathered from the conversation was that it is more "Orthodox".
The Monks may only eat one meal a day, lunch, and it is whatever the village prepares and donates to the temple. They may not wear jackets when it is cold, etc.

These rules aren't too extreme, but they are designed to create some discomfort.

Suffering teaches grattitude.