泰國一貫道的發展與經濟社會變遷

The Development of Yiguan Dao (I-Kuan Tao) and Socio-economic Change in Thailand

本研究將透過泰國一貫道發展，反省過去東南亞華人研究過度重視族群認同，卻忽略當地社會脈絡影響的問題。本研究指出，泰國1970年代後一貫道的發展茁壯，其實和一貫道藉由泰國經濟發展下的人群移動，所建立和創造新的社會關係有關。
從一貫道發展及信者經驗觀之，由華裔轉向非華裔，涉及人群移動下傳統村落外社會關係的建立；一貫道強調「渡人、成全人」的功德觀，亦使信者在移動中創造新社會關係，進一步促成一貫道在泰國發展。

This study examines the development of the religious group named Yiguan Dao (I-Kuan Tao) in Thailand, to fill in a gap in the studies of Southeast Asian Chinese, which have focused excessively on their ethnic identities, but neglected their local social contexts. This study points out that the development of Yiguan Dao in Thailand after the 1970s is related to the relocation of Thai people due to economic development. They use Yiguan Dao to establish their new social relationships in the changing environment.
By examining the development of Yiguan Dao and the members’ experiences, we can see more ethnic non-Chinese have become Yiguan Dao members. This change is related to the establishment of social relationships outside the traditional village community due to relocation. Besides, Yiguan Dao emphasizes the concept of “helping others to become members”. This helps its members to construct new social relations when moving to new destinations.