Nathan McGovern's "Holy Things" delves into the complexities of religious syncretism in Thailand, challenging conventional understandings of religious mixing. The book examines the worship of spirits, gods, and Buddha images, all categorized as "holy things," tracing their historical development and demonstrating how seemingly syncretic practices are rooted in evolving linguistic and cultural contexts. McGovern's analysis reveals the nuanced interplay between traditional Buddhist beliefs and the influence of Brahmanic traditions, highlighting the fluidity of religious categories and practices over time. The study offers a fresh perspective on religious studies methodology, advocating for a more nuanced approach that avoids simplistic labels like "syncretism." Ultimately, "Holy Things" provides a rich and insightful exploration of Thai religious practice, challenging established assumptions and offering a more comprehensive understanding of religious dynamics.
Scholars of religion have mostly abandoned the concept of "syncretism" in which certain apparent deviations from "standard" practice are believed to be the result of a mixture of religions. This is particularly relevant to Thailand, in which ordinary religious practice was seen by an earlier generation of scholars as a mixture of three religions: local spirit religion, Hinduism, and Buddhism. In part, the perception that Thai Buddhism is syncretistic is due to a misunderstanding of traditional Buddhism, which has always accepted the existence of local spirits and gods. Nevertheless, there are aspects of Thai Buddhist practice that still stubbornly appear syncretistic. Moreover, Thai Buddhists themselves are increasingly adopting the language of syncretism, referring to traditional Thai religion as a mixture of local, Hindu, and Buddhist practices. This raises the question: If syncretism is so wrong, then why does it seem so right?
In Holy Things: The Genealogy of the Sacred in Thai Religion (Oxford UP, 2024), Nathan McGovern answers this question through an in-depth study of the worship of spirits, gods, and Buddha images--all known as sing saksit, or "holy things"--in Thailand. He takes the reader on a historical and genealogical journey, showing how the category saksit began as a term to describe a power that is inherent to gods and spirits and accessible to Brahmans. Only later, when it was used in the nineteenth century to translate the Western concept of the "holy" did it become associated with Buddhist practice. McGovern shows that what appears to be syncretism is actually an illusion. The worship of "holy things" is not a mixture of different religions, but the category of "holy things" is a mixture of different ways of talking about religion.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology
New Books in Sociology