Kwaam mee náam jai: Generosity in Thailand

Traditional thai giving practices derive from the nation’s Buddhist faith. A devout Buddhist performs acts of kindness and generosity as a way of cultivating virtue, a requirement in the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. This practice is rooted in dāna, a Sanskrit term meaning charity or generosity. Among Thais, individuals who have dedicated themselves to this altruistic way of life are said to possess jai boon, or “hearts full of merit.”

In everyday practice, náam jai signifies an act of giving that occurs without expectation of reward. It can apply to charitable donations, such as giving alms to people living in material poverty or to Buddhist monks, or it can refer to acts of kindness toward people experiencing hardship or inconvenience. People who exhibit _náam ja _in the way they conduct their lives are highly esteemed in Thai society. 

At the same time, the Thai concept of generosity also emphasizes reciprocity. The sense that an act of giving might inspire generosity in the recipient finds expression in dtàwp taen sêung gan láe gan, a Thai phrase roughly meaning “mutually beneficial.” This promise of shared beneficence infuses the generous gesture with a spirit of celebration, cultivating an expansiveness of positive feeling between giver and receiver while planting the seed of perpetual abundance.

Thai people also exhibit exceptional generosity toward foreigners who show a willingness to embrace their cultural traditions and social mores. For Thais, travelers who take time to learn the language, wear modest attire, perform the wai – a distinctive Thai greeting in which an individual presses their hands together and bows their head – and respect Buddhist customs demonstrate the humility and gratitude that lie at the heart of true giving. Expats who have made the effort to assimilate into Thai society are generally rewarded with a warmth and hospitality that transcends cultural boundaries. 

Inspired by the fertile terrain of their native land, the people of Thailand associate the rivers and seas that surround them with a sense of mutual prosperity. By honoring and promoting the capacity for _náam jai _that resides in all individuals, Thais seek to ensure collective wealth and happiness for themselves and future generations.

Contributor: Stephen Meyer