The Buddhist World of Southeast Asia

I was confused by what I saw traveling in northern Thailand. It did not seem to make sense in what I had learned of buddhism in the US. It seemed more like people had made an icon of the buddha and were making personal offerings for their well being rather than seeking enlightenment. This book explains how the average person views and lives buddhism in southeast asia, while at the same time allowing for differences between different southeast asian countries. This is buddhism as a culture, not as a sort of "off the grid" personal endeavor as it seems to be here in the US. I wish I had read it while I was there. He discusses festivals, weddings, funerals and other social rites as well as political history. Swearer has a particular emphasis on the role of women in southeast asian buddhism.

I liked this study. It offers a dose of reality as to how Buddhist laypersons live their religion and how SE Asian politicians apply (and misuse) Buddhist ideals. The book is especially interesting with regard to the divide between monastic and lay/social Buddhism.