ABSTRACT
An important change that has taken place in Thai Buddhism emanating from postmodern urban spaces has been the increased reliance on electronic space and the use of the Internet by various state and non-state actors. Thammakaai for instance, as discussed in Chapter 2, has made effective use of the Internet through its many devoted websites to reach beyond conventional religious boundaries, such as one finds at the social interface. As noted at the end of this chapter, even the most traditional elements of Thai civil society are adapting to new digital technology. The Internet then clearly has the transgressive potential to ‘change the consciousness of religion itself and of its practice’.2 Indeed, nowadays many orthodox Buddhist monks (such as the acclaimed saint Ajaan Maha Bua mentioned in the following chapters) now use this medium for teaching and establishing new religious communities that are not limited by location. Devotees, through one Burmese site3 can now take whole daily rituals at the ‘Cyber-Vihara’,4 clearly an attempt to link expatriate Burmese Buddhist communities worldwide. Meanwhile, participants at dharmaweb.org, wherever they are located, can help to build a vital and cooperative online Buddhist community.5
