Monks, Money, and Morality

By Beata Switek

Book Description

Through careful ethnographic research spanning from India to Japan, anthropologist Christoph Brumann reveals a fascinating dimension of Buddhist practice that challenges widespread assumptions about monastic life. Rather than existing in pure detachment from material concerns, Buddhist temples and monastic communities navigate complex economic realities that are integral to their spiritual mission.

This groundbreaking study examines how monks, nuns, and laypeople engage in essential exchanges of goods, services, and financial support that sustain religious communities across different Buddhist traditions. Brumann's fieldwork uncovers the intricate ways that economic relationships between clergy and lay practitioners shape religious experience and spark ongoing debates within Buddhist societies.

The book explores how monastic communities manage resources, handle monetary transactions, and work within various state systems while maintaining their spiritual commitments. These practical considerations, far from being peripheral to Buddhist practice, emerge as central elements that influence how religious communities function and evolve.

For readers interested in understanding how spiritual ideals intersect with everyday realities, this work offers valuable insights into the tensions and adaptations that contemporary Buddhist communities face. By documenting actual practices rather than idealized notions, Brumann provides a nuanced perspective on how ancient wisdom traditions navigate modern economic pressures while preserving their core teachings and community structures.