New Buddhist Movements in Thailand: Towards an Understanding of Wat Phra Dhammakaya and Santi Asoke

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Routledge, Jan 24, 2007 - Education - 272 pages

Vastly different in belief and practice, two new Buddhist religious movements in Thailand, namely the Wat Phra Dhammakaya and Santi Asoke emerged in Thailand in the 1970s at a time of political uncertainty, social change and increasing dissatisfaction with the Thai Sangha and its leadership.

Examining these movements, which represent two distinctive trends within contemporary Buddhism in Thailand, this book explains why they have come into being, what they have reacted against and what they offer to their members. Both movements have a wide membership outside of Thailand, with temples in the UK, Europe, USA, Japan and Australia. New Buddhist Movements in Thailand will appeal to those interested in Buddhism's confrontation with modernity, and its responses to evolving social issues in Thailand, as well as to those interested in new religions in the broader context of religious studies.

 

Contents

INTRODUCTION
1
REVIEW OF SCHOLARLY LITERATURE ON THE WAT PHRA DHAMMAKAYA AND SANTI ASOKE MOVEMENTS
9
THE RELIGIOUS AND SOCIOPOLITICAL CONTEXT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE TWO MOVEMENTS
18
2 THE INCEPTION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE WAT PHRA DHAMMAKAYA MOVEMENT
30
3 AN ANALYSIS OF THE WAT PHRA DHAMMAKAYA MOVEMENT
56
4 THE APPROACH OF WAT PHRA DHAMMAKAYA TO SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
98
5 THE HISTORY OF THE SANTI ASOKE MOVEMENT AND A DESCRIPTION OF ITS VARIOUS COMMUNITIES
115
6 THE DISTINCTIVES OF SANTI ASOKE AND AN ANALYSIS OF THE MOVEMENT
143
7 THE APPROACH OF SANTI ASOKE TO SPIRITUAL PURIFICATION
174
CONCLUSION
186
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
197
ANALYSIS OF THE SANTI ASOKE QUESTIONNAIRE
201
NOTES
210
BIBLIOGRAPHY
236
INDEX
247
Copyright

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About the author (2007)

Rory Mackenzie teaches Buddhism and Practical Theology at the International Christian College, Glasgow. He has lived in Thailand for eleven years, is involved in the Thai community in Edinburgh and makes regular visits back to Thailand.