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This book provides an insight on the Buddhist way of Thai temple life in German diasporic context. It is based on input from several Thai Buddhist communities in Germany where the first-generation Thai transmigrants construct and form a sense of belonging by actively participating in temple life. It also explores the multifaceted role that Thai temples play in the lives of Thai transmigrants. Moreover, this book combines the anthropology of diasporas with Buddhism and identity.
| Author | |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Insights from Southeast Asia. Multiple Approaches towards the Region, Volume 8 |
| ISBN | |
| Publication Date | August 22, 2023 |
| Size | |
| No. of Pages | 336 |
| Binding | Paperback |
1. Introduction …………………………………………………….1
The Anthropology of Values ………………………………………3
Defining Diaspora ……………………………………………………..7
Conceptualizing Diaspora in the Religious Domain …..8
The Two Concepts of Doctrinal Values vs.
Non-Doctrinal Values in Thai Buddhism …………………..9
Doctrinal Thai Buddhist Values ……………………………….. 12
Non-Doctrinal Thai Buddhist Values ………………………. 17
Marriage Migration to Germany ……………………………… 21
Types of Buddhism in Western Settings …………………… 25
Thai Buddhist Communities in Germany ………………… 26
Thai Buddhist Communities and Networks in Western Settings ……………………………………………………………………. 28
Fieldwork ………………………………………………………………… 30
List of the Main Fieldsites ………………………………………… 36
Structure of the Dissertation ……………………………………. 41
• part 1: people and religion •
2. Women and Thai Temples ………………………………………….. 47
Transmigrants and Thai Temples in the Diaspora Context ………. 49
Food Offering and Thai Buddhist Women ……………………………….. 51
Women and Organizational Structures ……………………………………. 53
The Significance of Food as Ritual …………………………………………… 55
Ritual Meals: The Process of Food Offering ……………………………… 57
Friendship, Food Making and Food Sharing ……………………………. 61
Dish Washing and Temple Cleaning ………………………………………… 63
Chii Phraam and the Eight Precepts ………………………………………… 65
The Significance of Buddha Statues ………………………………………….. 66
Thai Buddhist Funerals ……………………………………………………………. 67
Description of Other Laity Who Visit Thai Temples ………………… 70
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………….81
3. Thai Missionary Monks………………………………………………. 85
Historical Background of Thai Missionary Monks …………………… 87
Phra Thammathut Training Program……………………………………….. 89
Monks’ Conferences: A Social Platform …………………………………… 92
Phra Thammathut: Religious Duties and Challenges
at Thai Monasteries ………………………………………………………………… 96
Characteristic Differences: Thammayut vs Mahanikai Sect …….101
Phra Thammathut: Religious Duties and Challenges
beyond Thai Monasteries ………………………………………………………..106
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………..115
4. Mae Chii in Germany ……………………………………………….. 119
History and Background of Thai Nuns ……………………………………122
The Nun Community in Germany ………………………………………….124
Mae Chii Duen: Feeding the Monks and Selling the Food ………126
Mae Chii Dao: Dekwat and Personal Mentor ………………………….129
Mother and Daughter Reincarnated ……………………………………….132
Mae Chii Nee: The Path to Liberation ……………………………………..134
Meditation in Motion ……………………………………………………………..136
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………..139
• part 2: religion in action •
5. Temple Festivals ……………………………………………………….. 141
Buddhist Merit Making Economy …………………………………………..145
Diasporic Networks through Social Media and Online
Platforms ………………………………………………………………………………..146
Background on Songkran Festival (Thai New Year)
at Wat Thai in Germany ………………………………………………………….147
Salakaphat at Wat Thai in Germany ………………………………………..156
Kathin Ceremony at Wat Thai in Germany ……………………………..160
Ideology Conflict: Merit-Making and Tax-Deductible
Donations ………………………………………………………………………………166
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………..167
6. Non-Doctrinal Buddhism…………………………………………. 173
Kuman Thong…………………………………………………………………………176
Territorial Spirits …………………………………………………………………….189
Buang Suang Thep ………………………………………………………………….200
Spirit Mediums ……………………………………………………………………….206
Magic Monks ………………………………………………………………………….210
Black Magic ……………………………………………………………………………214
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………..218
• part 3: meditation •
7. Pathway to Becoming a Meditator …………………………….. 223
Thai Buddhist Cultural and Fun Experience …………………………..228
Realizing Suffering ………………………………………………………………….234
Long-Term Vipassana Meditators …………………………………………..238
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………..241
8. Building a Meditation Community …………………………… 243
The Setting of Wat Buddhavipassana ………………………………………244
Arrival, Regulations and Opening Ceremonies ………………………246
Daily Schedule ………………………………………………………………………..249
Recruiting Process, Frequency of Participation
and Length of Stay ………………………………………………………………….252
Pedagogy Experience ……………………………………………………………..253
Relationships between Meditators and Meditation Teachers …..256
Yogi and Social Food ………………………………………………………………257
The Setting of Wat Buddhadham …………………………………………….259
Registration and Recruiting process ……………………………………….261
Schedule and Difficulties in Community Living ……………………..261
Pedagogical Techniques of Vipassana Meditation
Group Retreats ……………………………………………………………………….264
Dhamma Talks ……………………………………………………………………….266
Food Preparation and Donation ……………………………………………..268
Dish Washing Room ………………………………………………………………269
Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………..270
9. Conclusion ……………………………………………………………….. 275
Merit, Nipphan and the Law of Karma ……………………………………277
Merit and Important Actors ……………………………………………………279
The Malleability of the Rules …………………………………………………..281
GLOSSARY …………………………………………………………….. 285
BIBLIOGRAPHY ……………………………………………………… 293
DECL ARATION IN ACCORDANCE TO § 8(1) C)
OF THE D O CTORAL DEGREE REGUL ATION
OF HEIDELBERG UNIVERSIT Y, FACULT Y
OF BEHAVIOUR AND CULTURAL STUDIES ……………….. 309
Developments in the field of area studies — goaded by the analytical deconstruction of world regions from their geopolitical sense — have deeply affected the knowledge production from societies and cultures located in the politicised compartmentalisation of the globe. With this series, the editors and authors wish to contribute to a reformulation of sensibilities in area studies which emphasises the epistemic value of contextualised knowledge production. Starting with the notion of Southeast Asia, books published in this series will contribute to a more nuanced understanding of regionality based on a multidisciplinary approach. The series represents an outlet for young scholars intending to publish their degree theses; and for established scholars who are looking for a place to republish out-of-print books. We also encourage scholarly collectives from the regions to publish collaborative works or edited volumes on topics that usually will not attract the attention of big presses due to their trans-disciplinary orientation.
