Meditation for Tourists in Thailand: Commodifying a Universal and National Symbol

Meditation in Thailand's international meditation centers is presented in advertisements as both a universal practice and a cultural icon that links Thailand to its ancient past. National religions and religious symbols serve to re-inscribe particular images, places, and practices as part of th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of contemporary religion
Main Author: Schedneck, Brooke (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Carfax Publ. [2014]
In: Journal of contemporary religion
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
Description
Summary:Meditation in Thailand's international meditation centers is presented in advertisements as both a universal practice and a cultural icon that links Thailand to its ancient past. National religions and religious symbols serve to re-inscribe particular images, places, and practices as part of the national heritage. The practice of meditation is contextualized within Thailand and Thai culture, while it is also de-contextualized as a universal practice in which international meditators can participate. At the national level, meditation is a marker of Thailand's difference and exoticism. At the same time as Thailand's otherness is highlighted, meditation is also connected with universal systems of science and rationality. I argue that these selective elements serve to reinforce consumer values and constitute a commodification of meditation for tourists. I demonstrate that this does not detract from the practice for foreign communities, but that it is an example of the creative adaptations for reaching a wide variety of audiences. By looking at meditation guidebooks and promotional materials about meditation, this article contributes to scholarly dialogues of the commodification of religious practices.
ISSN:1469-9419
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of contemporary religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1080/13537903.2014.945728