this is an jang sang, professor emeritus at chiang mai university. >> some of them may be interestedn materialism, consumerism, but deep down in their heart they are still buddhists. >> reporter: but he agrees they're not going to the temples, also known as wats, as much as they once did. >> in the past the wat was not just the religious center, it was the life center of the village community. the social life took place there, counseling, respect, authority for the monks. that's, i think, decreased tremendously. >> reporter: and not as many are going to the buddha to offer their prayerful good wishes for all living things. some are giving more in donations, but phra boonchuey, the assistant abbot at this large temple, says too many are just donating to buy good karma. >> because now they are coming to the temple just only to offer the offering in order to please, you know, their life for their own benefit. >> reporter: phra boonchuey is on a mission to get thai buddhism back on track. >> and so we have to do many things, you know, to bring people, you know, back to the religion. >> r