Meditation in modern Buddhism

Book Description

Through intimate fieldwork at a thriving monastery in Northern Thailand, anthropologist Joanna Cook offers readers a rare window into how meditation transforms both individual lives and entire spiritual communities. This compelling ethnographic study reveals how the growing popularity of vipassanā meditation is reshaping contemporary Thai Buddhism from within.

Cook's unique approach combines scholarly observation with full participation in monastic life, providing authentic insights into the daily realities of monks and mae chee who have made meditation the cornerstone of their existence. Readers discover how these practitioners navigate the profound inner work of self-transformation while maintaining the complex social dynamics of communal religious life.

The book pays special attention to mae chee, the lay nuns who occupy a fascinating middle ground between secular and monastic worlds. Through their experiences, Cook illuminates the intricate relationships between gender, hierarchy, and spiritual authority within Buddhist communities. This focus reveals fresh perspectives on how traditional structures adapt to accommodate evolving spiritual practices.

Rather than presenting meditation as an abstract concept, Cook grounds her analysis in lived experience, exploring what motivates individuals to embrace renunciation and how intensive contemplative practice affects both personal development and community organization. The result is an accessible yet scholarly examination that speaks to anyone curious about the intersection of ancient wisdom and contemporary spiritual seeking.

This work offers valuable insights for practitioners, scholars, and anyone interested in understanding how meditation functions as both personal transformation and social phenomenon.