Monks, Money, and Morality: The Balancing Act of Contemporary Buddhism

The book explores the material and financial relations of contemporary monks, temples, and laypeople, highlighting their importance in religious debate. Based on long-term ethnographic fieldwork in various Buddhist traditions, it addresses the flows of goods and services, resource management, money treatment, and the role of the state in temple economies. It also deals with the moral challenges faced by Buddhist adherents today, providing a more realistic view of the religion.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 264 pages
Publication date: 20 May 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Contemporary Buddhist Lives: A Vibrant Exploration of Material and Financial Relations
Contemporary Buddhist Lives: A Vibrant Exploration of Material and Financial Relations

This captivating book delves into the intricate material and financial dynamics of contemporary Buddhist communities, shedding light on the vital role of economic exchanges in religious discourse. Through extensive long-term ethnographic fieldwork across diverse countries, including the three major Buddhist traditions, the book explores the intricate flows of goods and services between clergy and laity, resource management, money treatment, and the role of the state in temple economies.

Beyond mere documentation of ritual and economic practices, these accounts delve into the moral challenges faced by Buddhist adherents in today's world, offering a unique perspective that brings the lived experience to the study of a religion often romanticized.

By examining the intricate interplay between materiality and spirituality, Contemporary Buddhist Lives offers a fresh and insightful understanding of the contemporary Buddhist world, highlighting the importance of economic relations in shaping religious beliefs and practices.

Weight: 416g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350213760