Buddhist visions, dreams, and possession trance: spiritual authority, ritual diversity and religious innovation in Thailand
South East Asia Research July 3, 2025 P. Jackson
Thai religious life is diverse and dynamic, drawing on Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, Brahmanism, and spirit cults. A notable feature is the continual emergence of new spiritual figures at the center of devotional cults without direct precedents. The author describes processes that expand the Thai religious pantheon and explores how founders and followers authorize worship of novel deities, spirits, and Buddha images. Drawing on origin narratives from followers of new ritual movements, the author argues that access to oneiric space—extraordinary experiences including meditation visions, dreams, and possession trance—is central to spiritual authority in Thailand and drives the ongoing proliferation of religious and ritual diversity.