The study aims to examine two issues: first the formation, development, and social impact of Buddhadasa's movement; and second the implications of modernization in Thai society. These two issues will be treated as closely interrelated. The main questions are the following:

(1)Why and under what conditions did Buddhadasa's movement come about?

(2)What type of movement is it?

(3)How did the movement develop and what were the factors which promoted and inhibited its development?

(4)What is its function for the members, and why does it appear to be most meaningful for the intellectuals?

(5)What is the social impact of the movement?

The particular hypothesis of this study is that Buddhadasa's movement has had and will continue to have a significant social impact on Thai society.