It is difficult to determine the exact relationship which exists between economics and religion. To some extent, economic systems are a product of the religion being practiced, but so too does economics affect the interpretation and hence content, of religions.
With increasing globalization, many nations find themselves--either by choice or by force--accepting the market system, or capitalism. Past research has for the most part concentrated on the contributions or impediments of religion on the growth of these new economies, and little attention has been paid to the changes that the growing economy exerts on religion.
Many Buddhist nations have recently embraced capitalism as their preferred form of economic organization, but these nations are for the most part unaware or unmindful of the resulting pressures that are being imposed on their religion. Essentially, this paper will show that the recent adoption of capitalism by Buddhist nations, as exemplified by Thailand, is resulting in at least a temporary loss of religious values and traditions.
A description of Buddhist thought as it pertains to economic life is compared with the capitalist economic system. It is shown that Buddhism offers different and often divergent views on economic activity and yet capitalism appears to be displacing the more traditional practices. Using Thailand as a case-study, it is shown that this nation's population is quickly embracing the "capitalist culture" and is, in the process, losing its Buddhist traditions.
