The article focuses on Buddhism and the Hmong in Chiang Mai and factors contributing to the success or failure of the religion in the ethnic group. It is found that Buddhism has failed to gain the acceptance of the ethnic group because some of its teachings are against the beliefs and traditions of the group, for instance refraining from killing living beings and from promiscuity and adultery. The other factors are language and economy. Hmong do not understand much of the Thai language, requiring interpreters to translate the religious preaching. If a man is ordained, it would put an economic constraint on the family. However, young Hmong men who are ordained as monks are for educational reasons as well as being accepted in the mainstream society.