Demystifying the People, Places, and Practices of a Buddhist Tradition
January 30, 2023
Schedneck (Religious Tourism in Northern Thailand), a Rhodes College religious studies professor, skillfully surveys contemporary Theravada Buddhism. Focusing on communities in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, Schedneck examines the experiences of monks and laity in three broad sections: people, practices, and sacred places and objects. Schedneck first explores the significance of Buddhist temples as sacred spaces and community centers, where monks and laity interact on a daily basis as well as during structured rituals. She also engages the sect’s gender dynamics: men can ordain as monks, while it’s more complicated for women, who may become “precept nuns,” though the role lacks the “rules, structure, or respect” of “a full monastic life.” Meanwhile, the practices section explains “merit-making activities,” in which the benefit from doing good is transferred from monks to laypeople through rituals or festivals. (“Monks represent a field of merit, while laity plant seeds in this field,” the author explains.) Appendices offer a list of different meditation centers and outline temple etiquette. Schedneck’s take is richly nuanced without sacrificing clarity, making for an entry that’s useful for Buddhism students and scholars. Readers will welcome this considered offering.
Starred review from March 1, 2023
First-time travelers to Southeast Asia would be well-served by placing this title on their reading list. The book focuses on giving current, detailed descriptions of the Theravada Buddhist tradition in all its variety. The richness of those specifics opens a unique window into the culture and daily existence of people in that area today. Schedneck's (Religious Tourism in Northern Thailand) illustrations and explanations evoke the feel of journeying across Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand under the guidance of an approachable, knowledgeable professor of religion. Shying away from abstract theological discussions, she shows how the observances and institutions of monastic elites and popular practitioners come together to form a major component of society in Southeast Asia. While respectful and fair toward the subjects of her study, she is also willing to point out the problems and scandals that are a part of the complete picture, such as issues regarding gender, nationalism, and monastic excesses. VERDICT This is an immensely informative book and a beneficial entry point into understanding this religious tradition.--Zachariah Motts
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