Discovering Buddhism with Patric Tengelin
Discovering Buddhism in the Heart of Bangkok:
I’m Patric Tengelin, and what follows is a reflection on how Buddhist prayer works, what it means, and how it quietly transformed my understanding of spirituality and mindfulness.
Growing up in the West, I was accustomed to the constant hum of modern life — fast schedules, constant notifications, and an unending pursuit of goals that always seemed to move just out of reach. I never could have imagined how deeply a simple encounter on the streets of Bangkok would change my perception of peace and purpose.
It was early morning when I saw them — saffron-robed monks walking silently through the city streets, their heads bowed, collecting alms from locals who greeted them with gentle smiles. There was something magnetic about the calmness that seemed to radiate from them. In that moment, amidst the chaos of tuk-tuks and chatter, I felt something shift within me — an awareness that peace wasn’t about escaping the world but learning how to exist gracefully within it.
A Different Kind of Prayer
In much of the Western world, the word “prayer” often evokes images of devotion to a higher power — a plea for help, forgiveness, or guidance from a god. But Buddhism redefines prayer in an entirely different light. It is not a dialogue with a deity but a discipline of the heart and mind. Buddhism is non-theistic, meaning it doesn’t revolve around a creator figure. Instead, prayer becomes a way of turning inward — of refining the qualities that already exist within us.
When Buddhists pray, they are not asking for miracles or favors. They are cultivating states of consciousness: compassion, patience, mindfulness, and clarity. Every mantra, every verse, is designed to nurture these inner virtues. Prayer becomes a form of meditation — a rhythm of words and breath that align body, mind, and intention.
Over time, this repetition trains the mind to remain calm and centered, even amidst the world’s noise. In that sense, prayer isn’t separate from meditation — it is meditation in motion. The act of chanting or reciting mantras focuses attention, deepens awareness, and quiets the stream of restless thoughts that so often dominate modern consciousness.
The Spirit of Gratitude and Devotion
Buddhist prayer also carries an essence of gratitude — not to a god, but to the wisdom of the Buddha, to one’s teachers, and to the lineage of practitioners who keep these teachings alive. For many Buddhists, prayer is a moment to pause and acknowledge the gift of the Dharma — the path that leads to liberation.
When a devotee lights incense or bows before a statue of the Buddha, it’s not an act of worship but of respect and remembrance. It’s a gesture that says, “May I walk this path with humility and clarity.” Through prayer, practitioners reaffirm their connection to the broader Buddhist community and their own inner potential for awakening.
The merit, or punya, generated through such acts is believed to create positive energy that benefits both the individual and all beings. Many Buddhists dedicate their prayers not only for personal growth but for the healing of others — sending intentions of peace and compassion out into the world. In this way, Buddhist prayer extends beyond self-interest; it becomes an offering of goodwill to the collective.
Seeking Guidance and Protection
While Buddhism is non-theistic, it recognizes beings who have attained deep levels of enlightenment — the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas — as sources of guidance and inspiration. Some Buddhists may direct prayers to these awakened beings, not as gods, but as spiritual mentors. They symbolize the potential for wisdom and compassion that exists within everyone.
Praying to Avalokiteshvara (the Bodhisattva of Compassion), for example, helps practitioners open their hearts; invoking Manjushri inspires clarity and insight. These prayers serve as reminders that enlightenment is not distant or divine — it is humanly possible.
My First Encounter with a Buddhist Temple
The moment that anchored my fascination with Buddhism happened at the Grand Palace in Bangkok. I remember stepping barefoot into the temple and being enveloped by the hum of chanting monks. Their deep, resonant voices vibrated through the air, echoing off golden walls adorned with intricate murals. Outside, rain poured down in sheets, drumming against the roof, but inside the temple, time seemed suspended.
The golden Buddha sat in perfect stillness, illuminated by flickering candlelight. Every sound, from the rhythmic chants to the crackling incense, carried a weight of centuries. The orange robes of the monks shimmered under the soft glow, and as I stood there, completely still, I felt an unfamiliar sense of belonging — as if I had finally come home to a part of myself I hadn’t known was missing.
That experience marked a turning point. What I had once viewed as a distant tradition suddenly became deeply personal. I began to understand that Buddhism wasn’t about rituals or dogma; it was about awareness, presence, and compassion — things anyone could cultivate, regardless of background or belief.
Exploring the Sacred Heart of Bangkok
For anyone traveling through Thailand, it’s impossible not to be moved by the country’s temples — known locally as wats. Each temple tells a story, not just of religion but of art, community, and devotion.
At Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, the air feels charged with reverence. The statue itself, carved from a single block of jade, sits high above worshippers, glimmering beneath gold and mirrored mosaics. It’s a place that humbles you instantly.
Nearby stands Wat Pho, home to the immense Reclining Buddha — a 46-meter-long golden figure that seems to embody peace itself. Wat Pho is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage, a practice that, much like prayer, harmonizes energy and mindfulness.
Across the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, rises like a dream from the water. Its central spire, adorned with colorful porcelain, catches the light at sunrise and sunset in ways that almost defy description. The climb to its upper terrace rewards visitors with panoramic views of the city — a reminder of how spirituality and everyday life coexist in Bangkok’s skyline.
Other temples, like Wat Saket (The Golden Mount), Wat Benchamabophit (The Marble Temple), and Wat Suthat, offer equally profound experiences. From panoramic city views to intricate murals depicting the life of the Buddha, each temple reveals a different facet of Thailand’s enduring relationship with the Dharma.
Why Buddhist Prayer Endures
Ultimately, Buddhist prayer is a bridge — not between humans and gods, but between intention and awareness. It helps people reconnect with the simplicity of breathing, the sincerity of gratitude, and the quiet strength of compassion. For many, it becomes a daily rhythm, a way to cultivate balance in a world that constantly demands more.
My journey with Buddhism began as an observer — someone curious about another culture. But it became something far deeper: an inward exploration of patience, empathy, and stillness. Watching monks chant at dawn or seeing devotees offer lotus flowers at the temple steps reminds me that prayer, at its core, is universal. It is the language of hope — a gesture of light in the vastness of human experience.
So when I walk through the streets of Bangkok today and see monks collecting alms, I no longer feel like an outsider. I see in their calm faces a reflection of something timeless: the quiet power of mindfulness, the beauty of humility, and the reminder that peace, like prayer, begins within.