Cyber-Buddhism and the Changing Urban Space in Thailand

TitleCyber-Buddhism and the Changing Urban Space in Thailand
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2003
JournalSpace and Culture
Volume6
Issue3
Pagination292-308
Abstract

Taylor presents this paper as an exploratory piece on the transformations taking place in Thai Buddhisma as the result of the growing popularity of new technologies, especially the internet. Making use of a lot of postmodern theorising, especially the work of Baudrillard, Soja and Deleuze and Guattari, he seeks to show that these new Buddhist forms represent a challenge from the margins to the authority of the state and state-sponsored Buddhism. The despatialisation of Buddhism means the declining importance of wats on the urban landscape. Unfettered capitalism is the reason for this taking place.