Tolerance is total, and there is no history of religious conflict. He gave up his riches to seek enlightenment, and later he taught others to follow his path. Buddhism first came to Thailand a few centuries after Buddha's death, and became a dominant force by the Sukhothai era. Statues of the Buddha and murals depicting his previous ten lives can be found throughout Thailand. Buddhism continues to exert a strong influence on daily life.
Senior monks are highly revered.
Each wat is a cluster of buildings including a meeting hall, lodging for the monks, an ordination hall, and perhaps a library. The features of each building, and the overall layout, are governed by established principles. The architecture varies between historical periods. The Rocket Festival, perhaps the most thrilling of Thailand's regional celebrations. Large and elaborately decorated rockets are shot into the sky to ensure good rains, and the accompanying revelry is very high-spirited.