When our son was chosen by his teacher to be the class representative for the upcoming Teacher's day at school last week we didn't think much about it. We just thought it involved giving a 'wai' (A Thai greeting where you put your hands together like when you pray) to the teacher. The teacher asked us to buy some things which we didn't know the meaning but we were going to ask our neighbours to help so no big deal. However, today talking to our househelper, who is a Christian, she explained that what our son will be doing is part of a Buddhist ceremony and not only will he have to "wai" the teacher, but a monk as well.
If we had known earlier we would have told the teachers that we were Christians and that because of our beliefs it is not appropriate for our son participate in Buddhist rituals. However, he and the other representatives from the other classes have been practicing what they are to do in this ceremony for the last few days. Teacher's day is tomorrow, so it is too late to replace our son with someone else.
It raises difficult questions as to what is cultural and what is religious in Thai society? The 'wai' is so much a part of Thai society that to not 'wai' someone would be quite rude. However, does a 'wai' to a monk make it something different? Is that idoltory?
We want to convery the message that we respect Buddhism and Buddhist, yet there are somethings we as Christians cannot do as it is dishonoring of God. Making these choices as a newish missionary is so hard as you don't understand the culture nor can you probably seek clarification as our language is yet inadequate.
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