Buddhism in English

[English Club]

You can use these sentences with Buddhism and Monks.  Please understand that all sentences are only meant to help.  I do not want anyone to get upset.  If I make a mistake or write something that is not appropriate, that is not my intention.  I want to keep the English easy and religion is a difficult topic.  I respect Buddhism more than any other religion and only want to make it easier for parents to use English when talking about Buddhism with their children.

- The monk is coming.  Please stand here and wait for the monk to pass.  Let him go first.

- When the monk passes by, please stop and wai him.

- The monk is a holy man.  You must show him respect.

- It is important to offer food to the monk.  It is a nice thing to do.  When you do something nice then you create good energy (karma).

- We are going to the temple to make merit.  This is an important thing to do.

- We are at the temple.  This is a serious place.  This is not play time.  If you quiet down I will play with you when we get home.

- Please put this in the monk's bowl and bow your head.  The monk will want to bless you.

- After the monk's blessing, please wai the monk.  You must show the monk respect.

- Keep your head low please.  

- On Saturday we are going to the temple to make merit.  Please think about what food you would like to take to the monks.  

- Put the money into this bowl.  Then close your eyes and ask for a good blessing.

- Shhh.  The monk is talking.  You must be quiet and listen.

- This is a time to sit quietly and listen.  You can play when you get home.

- Do you want to make an offering at the temple?

- I am proud of you.  You were quiet and respectful around the monks.  Good job.

Make an offering  =  make merit

You can use either expression.

"Make an offering" is what western people will understand.  They will not understand "make merit".  "Make merit" are the correct English words, but they are only used in Buddhism.  Most western people are not Buddhist so they do not know what that means.  

It is best if you use both expressions.  Sometimes use 'make an offering".  Other times use "make merit".  Your children should understand both and that they mean the same thing.

[แม่น้องภู]

Such a wonderful topic.

Thanks for your kind.

p.s. this Pooh's dad.

[อรดา พงศ์สุธนะ]

Thanks

[หนึ่งค่ะ*-*]

Great.^^

[แม่น้องกุน & น้องญาญ่า รักในหลวง]

thank you very much

[tan ^_^ tatae]

"Thanks a million" Your suggestion is useful.

[Patiwat]

Terrific.

[ต้น...]

thank u sir

[อรนัย รักในหลวง]

Peter, how about ' give alms to the monk' . Will western people understand this sentense?
I got it from Buddhist website.

[Mr. Peter C. Meltzer]

Yes, "giving alms to the monk" is another good sentence. Some western people will understand this. "Making an offering" is something every western person will understand, I think. "Giving alms" is more correct, but less people may understand it.

[อรนัย รักในหลวง]

Thank you, Peter!
That's all about culture barrier...which makes English a little more difficult than it used to be!
Keep learning every day..... ^__^

[มีตังค์ =(แม่กิต+พ่อมร)]

ไปทำบุญเช้าที่วัด จะมีผู้ใหญ่นั่งกันเต็มศาลา กำลังนั่้งพนมมือฟังพระสวดมนต์
จะสอนให้ลูก พนมมือเหมือนผู้ใหญ่ ต้องพูดว่าอย่างไรคะู
บอกให้ ก้มกราบ พูดว่าอย่างไรคะ
แล้วพระกำลังสวดมนต์อยู่ ต้องบอกว่าอะไรคะ(ไม่ใช่การให้ศีลให้พรหลังจากที่เราใส่บาตรพระที่มาบิณฑบาตรนะคะ)
และ The monk is talking คือ พระกำลังเทศนาอยู่ ใช่ไม๊คะ
ขอบคุณค่ะ
เป็นแฟนคลับอยู่ห่าง ๆ นะคะ

[Mr. Peter C. Meltzer]

"Please put your hands together like this." (show your child what you want)

"Please bow to the monk like this." (show your child what you want)

"The monks are chanting. They are praying."

Yes, you can say "The monk is talking." The correct English word is "sermon". "The monk is giving a sermon." But you can say "The monk is talking." That's much easier.

You're welcome.