In an effort to preserve "Thai" culture as the nation undergoes rural economic development, many development agencies in Thailand use Buddhist principles as the basis of their projects. One such organization is the Foundation for the Education and Development of Rural Areas (FEDRA), a non-government development organization headed by a high-ranking Buddhist abbot in Northern Thailand. This monk, Phra Thepkavi, maintains that "economic and spiritual development must work together to solve problems." Based on this philosophy, FEDRA conducts agricultural development projects such as buffalo banks, rice banks and low-interest loans in more than thirty villages.
Implementing projects based on Buddhist principles is problematic. Phra Thepkavi's interpretation and practice of the religion, part of a larger movement within Thailand called "Buddhist Socialism," is grounded in individual effort as the root of social action. The projects are mostly implemented through individualistic, legal contracts which invoke Phra Thepkavi's interpretation of basic Buddhist principles. His interpretation of the religion, however, differs from that of the villagers with whom he works. Their actions are guided by a concept of morality based on the socialness of Northern Thai culture. In practice, this means that the villagers, while recognizing, and even striving for, the ideal standard of individual behavior represented in Buddhism, give priority to social obligations and relations over personal concerns. This affects their response to the projects, often resulting in broken contracts. The potential for success in development is related to the degree of understanding and commitment the local people have towards it.
This work examines the different concepts of morality and religious interpretations involved as they are brought together through the development process and how these concepts are changing. The following questions are considered: What is the role of culture--particularly religion and morality--in development? How does the development process affect concepts of morality and religion? And how do these concepts affect the larger process of social change?
