Most Westerners know Buddhism through meditation, but everyday Buddhist life looks quite different in Thai temples

Buddhist daily practice in Thailand involves many rituals. Catherine Leblanc/Godong/Stone via Getty Images

I recently returned from leading an educational program in Thailand focusing on how Buddhists practice the religion in their day-to-day lives. The participants – Buddhist practitioners from North America and Europe – wanted to deepen their understanding and practice of the religion.

Many Western Buddhists’ practices centers on meditation. As a scholar of contemporary Thai Buddhism, I have taught many students and adults in the U.S. who have a similar understanding.