Justine Chambers, "Pursuing Morality: Buddhism and Everyday Ethics in Southeastern Myanmar" (NUS Press, 2024)
Aug 15, 2024
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Justine Chambers, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Danish Institute for International Studies, dives into the complexities of morality among the Plong Karen people in Myanmar. She explores how Theravada Buddhism shapes their ethical framework amidst sociopolitical upheaval. Topics include the evolving roles of young Karen women, the impact of migration on identity, and the moral dilemmas posed by Buddhist nationalism. Chambers also discusses the effects of climate change on these communities, highlighting the intersection of ethics and environment in a rapidly changing world.
The Plong Karen community's self-perception as a moral society is deeply influenced by the teachings of Theravada Buddhism amidst rapid societal changes.
Increasing access to education poses a tension between traditional moral expectations and the aspirations of the younger generation in the Plong Karen community.
Young women in the Plong Karen society are challenging conventional gender roles while pursuing personal ambitions, creating a generational conflict with established moral standards.
Deep dives
Ethics and Morality in Plo Keren Society
The Plo Keren community in southeastern Myanmar perceives itself as a morally upright society, largely influenced by Theravada Buddhism. This self-conception positions its members as generous and honest, often contrasting themselves with other ethnic groups, particularly in light of their historical experiences of violence and marginalization. The continuous evolution of societal norms and moral beliefs among the Plo due to external influences, such as access to education and migration opportunities, complicates their understanding of morality. As societal changes occur, younger generations grapple with the dichotomy of traditional moral expectations and modern lifestyle choices, challenging the established moral framework within the community.
Impact of Education on Morality
Increasing access to education in Pa'an, including numerous high schools and universities, significantly shapes the ethical considerations of the Plo Keren. Young people now recognize education, particularly from foreign institutions, as a pathway to improved lives, yet they often view the quality of domestic education as lacking. This awareness fosters a desire for higher scholarly aspirations among the youth, creating tension between personal ambitions and familial obligations. The interplay between education and moral development is evident as young Plo are faced with the challenge of balancing their newfound aspirations with the traditional expectations placed upon them by their community.
Gender Roles and Moral Expectations
In the Plo Keren society, young women navigate complex social pressures that challenge traditional gender roles and morality. While they are expected to embody moral virtues in preparation for familial roles, many young women are testing these boundaries, seeking personal freedom and opportunities beyond their villages. The aspirations of these women, such as ambitions to travel or pursue careers, often conflict with long-held values that dictate strict moral conduct. This generational tension highlights the struggle for young women to assert their identities while balancing societal expectations that prioritize motherhood and domestic responsibility.
Migration and Its Societal Impact
Migration to Thailand plays a crucial role in the lives of the Plo Keren, significantly impacting their economic conditions and moral outlook. Many Plo spend extended periods in Thailand for work, often sending remittances back home, which contribute to family welfare and elevate their living standards. However, the experiences in Thailand also introduce challenges and ethical dilemmas, particularly regarding relationships and societal values. The reality of living and working in Thailand creates a duality for many Plo, where economic necessities conflict with traditional moral parameters they had grown up adhering to.
Perceptions of Muslim Communities
The Plo Keren exhibit notable anti-Muslim sentiments, shaped significantly by historical factors and the influence of the Myanmar military. This perspective often stems from narratives that position Muslim communities as scapegoats for societal issues, fostering a deep-seated distrust and fear among members of the Plo. As a result, discussions around morality are contradicted by prejudiced views against Muslims, highlighting a complex moral landscape that struggles to reconcile Buddhist teachings against the realities of intercommunal relationships. The recent experiences of state violence have further complicated this relationship, leading to a harsh polarization that challenges the very essence of moral conduct within Plo society.
What is the right way to live? This is an old question in Western moral philosophy, but in recent years anthropologists have turned their attention to this question in what has been called, a “moral turn”. In this original ethnographic study, Pursuing Morality: Buddhism and Everyday Ethics in Southeastern Myanmar(NUS Press, 2024), Justine Chambers examines the Plong (Pwo) Karen people’s conception of themselves as a moral people. In the decade between Myanmar’s opening up in 2011 and the military coup in 2021, the Plong Karen community near the Myanmar-Thailand border has experienced rapid political, economic, and social change. These changes are challenging that conception. Based on extensive fieldwork Chambers examines the sources of Plong morality, particularly Theravada Buddhism, and how moral considerations are being impacted: by increasing access to higher education; the powerful economic draw of Thailand; young women questioning older gender roles; the rise of Buddhist millenarian movements and Buddhist nationalism; and growing anti-Muslim sentiment shared by much of Myanmar’s Buddhist population.
Justine Chambers is Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) in Copenhagen, Denmark.
