Buddhism; Kayah (Southeast Asian People); Tai (Southeast Asian People); Shan (Asian People)
摘要
This paper concerns work I have done on the China-Burma border between 2001 and 2007, with background of work with Shan both in Burma and in North Western Thailand. It will be about the place of the Shan and their Buddhism in the network of ethnic and trade relations on this border. It will raise questions about Shan Monastic traditions. On the one hand I have worked on the nature of Wa (Pirok) Theravada Buddhism and the history of the Wa 'kingdom' of Ban Hong, and the Shan have played a central role as source of knowledge about Buddhism and of kingship, providing models of both for these Wa. A number of interesting questions arise about the Shan sources of models of Buddhist monastic organisation here; and it is quite clear that Wa 'kingship' was based upon the Shan notion of a Caofa or Cao Mang. The second focus (during most of 2003, mostly at Ruili/Meng Mao) has been the cross-border, inter-ethnic trade system chiefly in gemstones and jade. In this context the Shan have played a central role as what anthropologists have called 'cultural brokers'. The Shan uniquely have been in a position to mediate between conflicting Burmese, Chinese and Thai conceptions about precious stones, making this trade network work smoothly. Since the Shan on these borders know how to 'be Chinese' (as Tai Noe), to 'be Burmese' (as Tai Mao and/or Tai Tay), and even to 'be within the Thai cultural ambience'.
目次
Introduction 17 The Pirok Wa of Cangyuan: history of their Shan-ization 18 Origins and origin legends and the nature of Wa/Shan relations; the Buddhist conversion 19 Varieties of Buddhist thought and practice amongst Wa and other uplander Shan Clients 22 Wa 22 Kayah 22 Kachin/Jingpo 23 Conclusions: Shan and Shan Buddhism as the centrepoint of HillValley cultural and political relations in the Yunnan–Burma– Northern Thailand region 23 Uplanders and Lowlanders 23 Notes 26 References 27
