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“Engaged Buddhism and HIV/AIDS in Cambodia and Thailand: the Agency of Theravada Monks in Post-conflict and Border Areas"

Kerstin Duell, Ph.D. Candidate, National University of Singapore, Political Science Department

ABSTRACT

This presentation analyses the agency of Buddhist monks in the contexts of first, a post-conflict, former communist country, and second, a modernising, capitalist nation-state. Before the backdrop of strongly contrasting recent histories of Buddhism in each case as well as of state health policies, this presentation shows the different approaches, activities and challenges of the Sangha’s work in each country.  It discusses how monks involved in anti-AIDS work had to overcome opposition from the Buddhist establishment and even local communities owing to notions of what is appropriate for members of the clergy. While monks are expected to stay out of politics and ‘worldly matters’, especially stigmatised issues such as prostitution, drug addiction and HIV-prevention, they also have a duty towards the community that supports them. Moreover, misguided interpretations of Karma pose an even stronger impediment to AIDS care as they often cause to stigmatisation, lethargy and resigning into what one believes is ‘fate’ rather than social and medical causes that could be prevented. Hence, monks face the double challenge of re-defining their roles and re-interpreting and applying the Dharma. Modernity has brought new challenges to the Sangha.  From a Buddhist perspective, the political reality of HIV/AIDS partly originates from greed while the social reality is characterised by ignorance and lack of compassion. Both can be changed when Buddhist principles are applied. The data and interviews presented prove how monks have contributed to decrease stigmatisation of people affected by HIV/AIDS.