Skylab is coming

"Guys, don't play with me. Do you want to hear my speech, or not?"

Skylab had been offered a well-paid sideline, using her Thai and English language skills working as a part-time lecturer for the British Embassy.

She studied her small audience's faces. She knew their jokes wouldn't be far behind.

"It is the titled, 'History of various religions in Thailand'."

"Boring name." Was her boyfriend Kev's comment.

"So, Cuzz, are you going back to teaching?" asked her cousin, Dam.

"No, I am not. They have asked me to give a one off talk on the religions in Thailand, to the new ex-pat society in Bangkok," said Skylab.

"What all religions? Or just yours?"

"My brief is to give an overview, but specialising in Buddhism."

"The British Embassy guys always enjoy her talks. They've asked her to give another," said Kev. "And it's well paid." He grinned broadly.

"I don't suppose they've asked for your thoughts on Christianity, have they Kev?" laughed Dam, a Buddhist, just. He knew only too well of Kev's feelings on religion.

Three years before, Skylab had just finished her degree at Bangkok university. She was finally qualified as a teacher of English. Her beloved uncle had taken a British visitor under his wing. He felt Kev could be useful to his family business. He guessed that Hua Hin was growing into a popular tourist spot, and running a property sale company would be profitable. To him, the equation was simple, on one hand, a niece who needed a job and on the other, a likeable young man who needed to learn Thai. But he didn't figure in romance. They soon fell in love. Now Skylab was expecting their first child.

"Come on then, Skylab, give us a taster of your speech," asked Kev. "Not the whole thing," he whispered.

Skylab groaned, "I don't want to hear snide comments from you two."

Her cousin and her boyfriend were best friends. The boys grinned at each other, then Skylab started.

"The development of Buddhism in Thailand has a long history. To go into detail about its history, it is necessary to divide it into three different key periods, all of which have influenced the religion and the spiritual founder Siddhartha Gautama. The three-time periods we will look at, include Theravada, from the Asoka period; the Mahayana period; and finally, the Theravada from Sri Lanka. Siddhartha Gautama's life accounted for his life discoveries, monastic rules practised, and the path to enlightenment."

Skylab took a breath, looking at her cousin and then her boyfriend. There was no reaction from either, at least not so far. She had expected bored groans by now.

"First, we will look into the period where Buddhism first started in Thailand during the Theravada from Asoka's period. King Asoka introduced and established Buddhism in Patalilbutta City during the 3rd century BC King Asoka sent monks out of the country to follow and learn about Buddha's teachings. While other monks were learning the ways of Buddha, two monks stayed behind in Thailand to teach people here."

It amazed her there were still no comments as she studied each face for a trace of a smirk. Nothing.

"Since introducing Buddhism in Thailand, it became noticeable that these beliefs also spread to other areas of Asia during the Mahayana period. King Kanitsaka the Great had the intention of spreading Buddha's teachings farther than just his kingdoms. He sent groups of monks throughout Central Asia to help spread the word. Once Mahayana's Buddhism expanded into Thailand, it became widely accepted by the Thai people. Mahayana's Buddhism spread from the southern regions to the far north via the central areas of the country. This created a large multicultural society, with different dialects that still, today, inhabit the Thai language. The spread of the beliefs in Buddhism had officially begun in Thailand."

The boys were genuinely interested and impressed.

"Finally, the period of Theravada from Sri Lanka also established itself in the Thai culture. The Buddhism that was introduced during this period in time is still a part of the current Thai culture. It has gone through some challenges but has got back on its feet each time. We now know the Theravada Buddhism in Thailand as Lankavamsa. This is because, 700 years ago, King Ramkhamhaeng had asked senior monks from Sri Lanka to come to teach their views of Buddhism, which became the birth of Lankavamsa in Thailand. Siddhartha Gautama, or 'Buddha' was born approximately 583 BCE, in a place now called Nepal. His name 'Buddha' translates to 'the enlightened one'. He was born into a family with a King as a dad and a queen for a mother. His parents were the leaders of a large clan called the Shaky-a. A few days after being born, a holy man prophesied that Prince Siddhartha would either be a great military conqueror or a great spiritual leader. When his dad caught wind of this, he decided his son would not become a spiritual leader. King Suddhodana raised his son in luxury and shielded him from learning about religion and human suffering. By the time Siddhartha turned 29, he was completely sheltered, having very little experience in the outside world."

Skylab had expected a break while the boys interrupted her. She needed a mouth full of water before carrying on. She also needed a quick look at her notes before rattling on about his journey.

Still, the boys were quiet. Skylab smiled like a teacher confronted by a rapt class.

Kev and Dam clapped.

"I've not finished yet," she said. "Buddha laid out these ways for people to find enlightenment for themselves, and he dedicated his time to teaching, bringing this knowledge to larger and larger audiences. He continued to travel and to teach until he died at age 80. In conclusion, Buddhism is simple in its teachings. To lead to a moral life, be mindful and aware of others' thoughts and emotions, and to develop wisdom and understanding, to lead a pure and enlightened lifestyle. Buddhism is one of the oldest religions practised in Thailand. It is not just a religion but also a lifestyle characterised by many movements, splitting, and expanding across Asia."

Cheers from the small audience made Skylab feel proud of herself.

"Well done, Skylab, you are an outstanding teacher. But what about Christianity?" asked Kev.

"How long have you boys got?" joked Skylab.

Then Dam asked, "Why does Thailand use a Hindu God as its national emblem?"

He was surprised when Skylab answered once again as 'the' teacher.

"First off, let's discover who this Hindu God is. The Hindu God used by Thailand as a national emblem is Garuda, also known as 'Krut' in Thailand. In Hindu mythology, Garuda was the vehicle of Lord Vishnu. Garuda is half-man, and half-bird. He has the body of a man but his head, his wings and talons are that of an eagle. The reason Thailand as a Buddhist nation adopted Garuda, a Hindu God, as a national emblem is not illogical. Whatever, you may think, dearest cousin. There is a long history of Hinduism in Thailand, and there are very close ties between Buddhism and Hinduism. Thailand's cultural roots are based on a mix of Buddhism, Hinduism and would you believe, Animism. Yes, worship of animals. Therefore, so many Hindu deities such as Brahma and Ganesh are commonplace here, and they find an Animist Spirit House outside just about every household. Do we not?"

His girlfriend's knowledge impressed Kev. He was speechless for a few moments.

"How come you didn't learn all this at school, Dam?" grinned Kev.

"I must have been sick that day," laughed Dam.

Skylab tutted before carrying on for another ten minutes.

"Fantastic lecture cousin, the British Embassy guys will love it."

"Wait, I haven't finished yet. They will need to know about the Muslim faith."

Kev groaned, "Enough."

Skylab continued for another ten minutes about Thai Muslims

"We don't see many here in Hua Hin. They are all in the south, causing trouble," stated Kev.

"Wrong Kev, contrary to popular belief, of Thailand's 7.5 million Muslims, only 1.4 million live in the nation's southernmost violence-wracked provinces. However, in the south Muslims represent over 70% of the population and observe cultural and political identities standing apart from other Muslims spread throughout the rest of the nation. They do not see themselves as 'Thais' first, but still as Malay. These three southernmost provinces, Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat, and their unique circumstances, result from a regional power struggle to stretch across centuries and includes more recently, attempts to use this region as a buffer between Thailand and British Malaya, now modern-day, independent Malaysia."

She nodded before Kev could interrupt. She spoke about the problems in the deep south and how the then Prime Minister Thaksin had dealt with it. Or failed to deal with it.

Skylab looked at the boys. "What do you think?"

"Long," said Dam.

"Maybe cut a few minutes," chuckled Kev.

The office phone warbled. Skylab reached for a glass of water before answering it.

"What? No," yelled Skylab. "Oh, my God."

She collapsed in her office chair.

"Listen to this you two."

She signalled them closer.