Suchergebnisse

Charismatc monks are central to the Lanna Buddhist tradition, a variant of Theravada Buddhism that evolved about 500 years ago in northern Thailand and neighbouring regions. Some of these monks are renowned for their ascetism, supernatural powers and strivings to recreate a utopian 'Buddha-land'. Others have become more engaged in the modern world and its rapid transformation. Issues highlighted in the book are the relationship of these charismatic monks to the state and state-controlled monkhood (sangha), the tendency for religious construction to spill over into economic development activities, and the diversity of lowland and highland devotional communities from Thailand and Myanmar. The book also explores contemporary influences on this religious tradition: the continuing marginalization og highland minorities and consequent devotion to messianic leaders, the incorporation for Lanna holy men into a national constellation of popular charismatic monks, the commercialization of Buddhism, and the patronage of wealthy urban elites.

This article examines the life and death of Phra Pho Pan, a charismatic hermit of northern Thailand whose Buddhist beliefs and utopian philosophy reflect the dissident holy man (ton bun) tradition of Lanna Buddhism and, in particular, that of the renowned forest monks Khruba Siwichai and Khruba Khao Pi. Phra Pho Pan's death in 2016 has led to a radical shift in the religious affiliation of his hermitage. I argue that a major agent of this transformation has been a female hermit and spirit medium whose own religious quest reflects the more independent and assertive role of women in the Thai religious domain, but one which is conservative and aligned with Thai nationalism. I also consider the dissension that has arisen between key supporters and opponents of this realignment and dramatically made visible in ceremonies commemorating Phra Pho Pan's death.

Yuan Buddhism is a particular variant of Theravada Buddhism that prevails among the Tai-speaking people of the upper Mekong region. A salient feature of Yuan Buddhism is belief in 'holy men' who gain renown for their charismatic attributes and construction of religious monuments. I argue in this article that the modern 'holy man' tradition, initiated by the forest monk Khruba Siwichai, is a form of religious revivalism that combines the bodhisattva ideal with sacral kingship. This form of revivalism condemns the modern state for its failure to uphold Buddhist morality, resists state control and fosters visions of utopian Buddhist realms.

This paper examines a system of economic relations in Northern Thailand linking Karen and Hmong communities in the western highlands with traders from the lowlands. I shall describe the salient features of this tripartite system as it existed in the late 1960s and argue that it was essentially a product of opium cultivation and commerce. I also argue that it contributed towards a serious level of indebtedness among Karen and that this indebtedness tended, in turn, to widen wealth differences in Karen communities. Finally, I shall consider some of the economic changes that have led to a breakdown in the system i n recent years.

A system of economic relations in Northern Thailand linking Karen and Hmong communities in the western highlands with traders from the lowlands is examined and the salient features of this tripartite system as it existed in the late 1960s are described. It is argued that it was essentially a product of opium cultivation and commerce. This system of economic relations contributed towards a serious level of indebtedness among the Karens. (DÜI-Sen)

Transformations this century in communal irrigation in the Chiang Mai Valley, northern Thailand, are examined under the impact of political and economic changes such as state centralization, the intensification of capitalist agriculture, and urbanization. An anthropological political economy perspective is applied in placing anthropological subjects (irrigation weir communities and their leaders) at the intersection of local, national and global processes which allows scope for the agency of these subjects within the structural constraints imposed by political economy changes.