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When is the last time you went to the temple? Likely, it's been a while. These days, most of us don't have all that much time to fit the wat into our schedules. Only on major holidays like Sonkran, Loy Kratong, and the Bucha holy days do we find good enough reason to adjust our busy schedules and head on down to the temple. As you know, in the past, the wat was the center brick of the community for Thai society. It not only served as a religious sanctuary for worship and making merit, but also the center of education. In the old days, only the minority rich could afford to pay for tutors and full time teachers. Thus, most Thais acquired their education from the local temple. They were taught by the abbot, whom held the additional title as ajarn . Today, things have changed. A majority of the temples in Thailand have become more valuable as tourist destinations. The village temples are mainly frequented by the very old and very young. On the week ends and holidays, teens are much more likely to be found in shopping malls, the cinema, and internet game shops than the temple. Unless, one is ordaining as a novice, monk, or nun, the temple is the last place where we might seek extra education. Of course, this isn't the case everywhere. Today, the Wat is still as important as it was hundreds of years ago for many Thais. Some families frequent the temple on a daily/weekly basis. Young kids and teens go to the temple to study Thai language, music, arts, culture, and Buddhism. Even University students spend their free time at the temple assisting the monks with chores and other daily tasks. Yes, the temple is still the center of the community for many. Sound like any temple you know? That's right; we're talking about Thai temples overseas. For Thais living, working, and studying overseas, the temple is more than just a place of religion. It's the center of the Thai community, culture, and identity. Back to school Wat Thai overseas serve as the learning center for Thai Buddhism, culture, and language. Thus, most wats overseas offer classes relating to Thai culture. While Buddhist meditation and chanting courses are taught by the monks themselves, other subjects such as music, dance, and language are taught by Thai specialists--- usually University alumni/students with extensive background and knowledge of Thai culture. Kru Suchart 'Boy' Detdee was a volunteer Thai classical music teacher for two years at Wat Buddhawararam in Denver , Colorado , USA . In 2001, he joined a team of classical arts / education alumni students from Chulalongkorn University to volunteer teach Thai music, dance, and language in various Thai temples in the USA . Boy observed a big contrast between Thai students in Thailand and Thai students in the USA . He noted that Thai students in Thailand are more reserved and shy, while the students in the USA are more confident, arrogant, and outspoken. "I find that the Thai American students were much more diligent in their studies than Thai students in Thailand . They learn real quickly." He said. He believes that students overseas are more motivated by their parents to learn about Thai culture, where in Thailand , subjects like classical music/dance are taken for granted: some learn, some don't. Many Thai parents overseas worry that their children will grow up without knowing about their Thai heritage. Therefore, they send them to study at the temple. Eed Cefkin is married to an American, John Cefkin with two mixed children. Eed and John have been involved with the Thai community and temple in Colorado for more than 10 years since their family moved from Thailand. Eed divides Thai students overseas into two groups. Those with both Thai parents, and those with only one, as in her case. The former group tend to speak Thai more fluently as it is spoken in the home. The latter may/may not speak so well. She notes that most students have trouble maintaining Thai language because there is not much opportunity to use it. "Most parents spend a lot of time away at work; many working 2-3 jobs. I resent that Thai parents speak more English at home too." She stated. Therefore, she decided to 'pound' her children with 'culture' by investing time and money for them to learn Thai music, language, and dance at the temple. Her beautiful daughter Terry, 18, is not only versed well in Thai classical dance, but plays the Thai xylophone exceptionally. Eed's son, Ben, 15, has developed a passion for ethnomusicology from what he gained at the temple. His prime instrument is the Kong Wong. In his free time, he often does public performances at Thai restauraunts and other cultural venues. Eed is proud to say that both of her children are aware and proud of their heritage despite growing up in the USA . Back to Buddhism Since Buddhism is the essence of the Thai community, the temple plays the leading role in organizing events, ceremonies, and festivals. Thai Buddhist holidays usually fall in line with the Lunar Calendar. Sometimes, the holiday will fall in the middle of the week. This is not always convenient overseas, as most Thais work during the week and can only visit the temple on the weekends. Therefore, major events and holidays are celebrated on Saturday and Sunday, when it is convenient for the Thai community. Post-secondary students from Thailand studying overseas play a major role at the temple. Tep is a Thai student who has been taking his masters degree in Braunschweig , Germany for a year now. He, like most of his Thai University peers, volunteers his time at the main temple in Berlin (Wat Buddharama) , helping to organize major events, holidays and other tasks. "Students as well as other Thai elders will often come to help cook meals for the monks since alms begging on the street is not the norm as in Thailand " he said. Tep also helps the temple out with printing/writing of Thai/Buddhist information pamphlets. He noted that it's not only Thais that are involved with the temple community, but many Germans as well. "Most Thai women who come to the temple are married to German men. They help a great deal with the sponsorship of the temple and its events." He stated. Thai temple/community overseas links http://home.iirt.net/~turun/temple.html http://www.rsu.ac.th/sao/link_temple.htm
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