Most Westerners know Buddhism through meditation, but everyday Buddhist life looks quite different in Thai temples

Thai Buddhism involves daily rituals and collective acts of worship, unlike the individual-focused emphasis on meditation often found in Western Buddhist communities.

By: Brooke Schedneck, Rhodes College, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: August 24, 2026

Words: 973

Last Updated: 1 month, 3 weeks ago

Body Text Preview

By Brooke Schedneck, Rhodes College

I recently returned from leading an educational program in Thailand focusing on how Buddhists practice the religion in their day-to-day lives. The participants – Buddhist practitioners from North America and Europe – wanted to deepen their understanding and practice of the religion.

Many Western Buddhists’ practices centers on meditation. As a scholar of contemporary Thai Buddhism, I have taught many students and adults in the U.S. who have a …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us