Development and buddhism revisited: Arguing the case for thai religious nuns (mae chees)

Abstract

Parichart Suwanbubbha relates the concept of humancentred development and human security within the Thai Buddhist context when looking at the pressing needs of the ’religious women in white’, Mae Chees. Suwanbubbha suggests that the ’Buddhist feminism of the middle path’ can help break down the traditional hierarchy and gender bias of religious and secular society in relation to the non-recognition and under-development of the religious and social role Mae Chees play in Thai society. The concepts of western feminism combined with human development can be effective tools to enhance the status and ensure just treatment of Mae Chees if understood and applied sensitively within the Thai cultural context. © 2003 Society for International Development.