Buddhism on the Border: Shan Buddhism and Transborder Migration in Northern Thailand(<Special Issue>De-institutionalizing Religion in Southeast Asia)
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概要
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This paper examines the transformation of Shan Buddhism in the border area ofNorthern Thailand. Shan and other ethnic groups have a long history of migrationbetween Northern Thailand and the Shan State of Myanmar; the migration continuedeven after the border was demarcated at the end of the nineteenth century.Recently, the migration has become unidirectional—from Myanmar to Thailand—and the number of migrants is growing steadily. An anomalous situation exists inthis area: a fluid border crossing of people, goods, and information in spite of rigidborder control by the Thai government. In the religious sphere, the Thai governmenthas been institutionalizing and standardizing "Thai Buddhism" since the earlytwentieth century. The government's efforts seem to have succeeded, resultingin the unified organization of "State Sangha" and a systematized curriculum formonastic education. In the process, local Sanghas (Buddhist monastic communities)in the kingdom have been integrated into the State Sangha of Thailand. However,Shan Buddhism in the border area has not been totally assimilated into Thai Buddhismand maintains its unique seasonal festivals, religious rites of passage, practices usingShan manuscripts, and temple architecture. By focusing on the movement of peoplein the border area, where strong state control and a porous border coexist, this paperanalyzes the important role of border migration in the continuation and developmentof Shan Buddhist practices in Northern Thailand.
- 2012-12-31