THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF INTENTION: SACRED GIVING AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR BURMA’S POLITICAL ECONOMY

Abstract

In Burma, sacred giving (dana) is a principal obligation for all Buddhist practitioners. This paper evaluates the practical and cultural underpinnings of donation practices. Dana redistributes resources, it operates as a system for the production of status distinctions and patron-client ties, and as a means to fulfilling proximate soteriological goals and sacred relations. Elaborating on distinctions Godelier draws between “ideology” and “mentalite,” I argue that sacred giving – especially as it is articulated in native theories about intention – participate in a “politics of sincerity” that impact the political legitimacy projects of the military junta.

Citation

Jordt, I. (2003), "THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF INTENTION: SACRED GIVING AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR BURMA’S POLITICAL ECONOMY", Dannhaeuser, N. and Werner, C. (Ed.) Anthropological Perspectives on Economic Development and Integration (Research in Economic Anthropology, Vol. 22), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 325-344. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0190-1281(03)22012-6