ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts discussed in this book. The book argues that there is a link between ethos and social structure. It also argues that Pierre Bourdieu's approach needed to be at once more complex and more sensitive to individual variation in order to explain religion or, more precisely, the process of rationalization. Even though the book enquires into rationalization as layers of meaning following Max Weber's lead, it applies Bourdieu's more empirical approach and concepts in the analysis. The concept of rationalization was developed by Weber, who argued that science and capitalism would forcefully counter religion and possibly do away with it. Religious studies as well as political agendas deal with the Buddhist heritage in Laos. Knowledge is accumulated and a Buddhist religion is constructed – to a degree that would have been impossible before colonial times.
