Contemporary religious practice in Chinese Mahayana temples in Bangkok

Abstract

This thesis examines the character of Sino-Thai religious practice through field-work conducted at Mangkorn temple and Phoman temple, the two oldest and most prominent Chinese Mahayana temples in Bangkok. The study focuses on their identity and religious participation at the temples of assimilated Thais of Chinese descent. A key objective in this work is to examine the question of national identity of these Chinese Thais partly through linguistic ability (very few informants were able to speak Chinese dialects) and partly through the strength of community tradition (explaining the ritual habits of attending specific temples). Data and interview evidence revealed definite generational differences between present day Sino-Thai practitioners and people of their grandparents’ age. Interviews and questionnaires with layperson practitioners and monks were conducted to explore the varieties of religious beliefs found at these two places of worship. This thesis argues that the Mahayana religion of Bangkok has undergone a transformation and cultural absorption to match the demands of its assimilated community and the many ethnic Thais that also currently support the temples.