#Spirituality

A recent feature in Slate has spotlighted an emerging challenge for parents in multicultural societies: supporting a teenager’s desire to explore organized religion, especially in a context that crosses both ethnic and denominational boundaries. The article, published on June 27, 2025, under the headline “Help! My Son Wants to Go to Church. Uh, I’m Not Sure I Can Support This,” addresses the nuanced emotions that arise when a young person’s spiritual curiosity diverges from family tradition—and ventures into sacred spaces with deep-seated cultural histories (slate.com).

A sweeping new study by Pew Research Center finds that the United States stands out for its high religious identity and spiritual beliefs compared to other wealthy nations, revealing patterns that illuminate both global diversity and unique features of American private faith.

For Thai readers keen to understand both their position in a changing world and evolving global values, this research sheds light on how different societies experience religion and spirituality in daily life. With the survey encompassing 36 countries representing nearly half the world’s population, Thailand gains insight into international religious and spiritual trends that may shape local views, policy, and social debate.

In the heart of every Thai community, from the bustling soi of Bangkok to the tranquil villages of the countryside, a timeless ritual serves as the spiritual bedrock of society: the ceremony of tham bun liang phra (ทำบุญเลี้ยงพระ). Literally translated as “making merit by offering food to monks,” this profound practice is far more than a simple act of charity. It is a vibrant expression of faith, a reaffirmation of community bonds, and a cornerstone of Thai cultural and spiritual life, woven into the very fabric of existence from birth and celebration to sickness and death. This ceremony, familiar to every Thai, represents a direct and personal connection to the principles of Buddhism, offering a pathway to accumulate positive karma, honour ancestors, and sanctify the most important moments in life. While the sight of saffron-robed monks receiving alms is a daily portrait of Thai life, the organised ceremony of inviting them into the home or a place of business for a dedicated meal and blessing carries a much deeper significance, embodying the core values of generosity, respect, and spiritual cultivation that define Thai Theravada Buddhism.

In the heart of Thai spiritual life, woven into the fabric of its vibrant Buddhist culture, lies a practice both profound and accessible, yet often overlooked by the casual observer. While many are familiar with the five basic precepts that guide the daily life of lay Buddhists, a deeper level of commitment, known as Ubosottha Sila or the Eight Precepts (รักษาศีลแปด), offers a path for the laity to experience a taste of the monastic life and purify the mind. This observance, deeply rooted in ancient traditions, is most visible on Wan Phra (วันพระ), the four monthly lunar holy days, when devout Buddhists across the nation, often clad in white, gather at temples to consciously step back from worldly affairs and cultivate a quiet, focused spirituality.

In the serene, incense-scented air of a Thai temple, a profound and ancient ritual quietly unfolds, serving as a spiritual bedrock for millions. It is a ceremony known in Thai as ‘Sadaeng Ton Pen Phutthama-maka’ (แสดงตนเป็นพุทธมามกะ), the formal act of declaring oneself a Buddhist. This pivotal moment, marked by chanted Pali verses and solemn vows, is far more than a mere formality. It is a conscious and heartfelt pledge to walk the path of enlightenment by taking refuge in the Triple Gem—the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. For Thais, this ceremony is a cornerstone of spiritual life, a rite of passage for the young, a reaffirmation for the faithful, and a welcoming gate for new adherents from across the globe. It represents a deep-rooted connection to a faith that inextricably shapes the nation’s culture, ethics, and identity, making the understanding of this single ceremony a key to unlocking the heart of Thai spirituality.

The principle of self-reliance stands as a central pillar in Buddhism, shaping not only the core of religious practice but also cultural attitudes in Thai society. This teaching, which is grounded in the Buddha’s encouragement that individuals take responsibility for their own actions and inner development, remains relevant in modern Thai life amid rapid social changes and ongoing spiritual quests.

Buddhist self-reliance, or “attāhi attano nātho” (one is one’s own refuge), is rooted in the historical context of the Buddha’s own life in ancient India. According to the Pali Canon, the Buddha repeatedly emphasized that liberation from suffering cannot be outsourced or bestowed by outsiders—such as deities, spirits, or even the Buddha himself—but must be achieved through cultivating wisdom, ethical conduct, and mental discipline personally (Watnyanaves.net). This foundational teaching has permeated Thai Buddhism for centuries and continues to inform both monastic and lay practice.

A growing movement is reshaping the field of psychology as experts call for the integration of spirituality into mainstream psychological science and practice, according to a recent report in Psychology Today. The article highlights that psychological research and therapeutic approaches have long neglected spiritual dimensions, but a new wave of studies and practitioner perspectives are advocating for a more holistic approach that acknowledges the spiritual lives of individuals.

In Thailand, a nation where Buddhism deeply influences culture, family, and even national holidays, this potential shift is especially significant. Many Thais engage in regular religious ceremonies, meditation, and practices such as merit-making to address life’s stresses. Yet, mainstream Thai psychological services, often modeled on Western paradigms, typically focus on cognitive, behavioral, and medical interventions, reserved about directly engaging with spiritual matters beyond cultural context.

The integration of spirituality into psychological therapy is not only gaining traction but is now supported by the most comprehensive global dataset to date, according to groundbreaking research funded by the John Templeton Foundation. A recently published article on Psychology Today, summarizing this extensive project, highlights how spiritually integrated psychotherapies are effectively bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern mental health science, with meaningful implications for practitioners and clients—including those in Thailand (Psychology Today).

A remarkable discovery in Jerusalem is reshaping our understanding of early Christian practices and challenging long-held assumptions about gender roles in religious asceticism. Archaeologists excavating a Byzantine-era monastery have unearthed skeletal remains—most notably, a tooth and three vertebrae entwined in chains—that provide the strongest evidence to date that women participated in extreme forms of ascetic self-punishment previously believed to be reserved solely for men. This finding, recently published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, not only broadens the historical narrative of Christian asceticism but also brings new perspectives to global discussions on the evolution of gender and spirituality.

A new wave of tech-fueled psychological crises is taking hold, as people across the globe report losing loved ones—not to fatal accidents or disease—but to spiritual fantasies stoked by artificial intelligence chatbots. According to a recent Rolling Stone investigation, many individuals are turning to AI, such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT, not just for information or assistance, but as a portal to mystical experiences and meaning-making that can overwhelm reality and drive wedges between friends, romantic partners, and families. As the psychological impact of AI deepens, the phenomenon is catalyzing a surge of spiritual mania that Thai experts and families would be wise to monitor closely.

A riveting collection of first-hand accounts of near-death experiences (NDEs) is captivating the online community, offering insights into what it feels like to hover on the brink of life and death. A Reddit thread that has been active for over a decade continues to gather deeply personal stories, with contributors describing a spectrum of sensations and emotions associated with nearly dying.

This phenomenon, often described as the ultimate existential inquiry, carries significant interest not just in Thailand but globally, as it challenges our understanding of consciousness and the afterlife. The narratives range from feeling utter peace to experiencing a void that resembled dreamless sleep. One contributor recalled a car accident that left them with vivid memories of a truck’s grill and disjointed snippets of auditory memories, but no recollection of a white tunnel or light. Another described a serene state amidst life-threatening anemia, awakening in a hospital with a profound sense of peace source.