British theravada Buddhism: Otherworldly theories,and the theory of exchange

The article explores the development of the relationship between monks and lay people within the newly established context of British Theravada Buddhism. Unlike their Asian counterparts, the British laity appear not to be interested in the traditional practice of ‘making merit’. The article draws out the implications of this feature of British Buddhism for a more general understanding of reciprocity in Theravada monk/ lay relationships.