2008/02/01 by Gareth Fisher · 39 citations
Social Sciences · Engineering · #Chinese history and philosophy #China's Socioeconomic Reforms and Governance #Vietnamese History and Culture Studies #Morality #Buddhism #Vision #China #Boom #State (computer science) #Sociology #Mainland China #History #Urban culture #Aesthetics #Environmental ethics #Political science #Law #Anthropology #Art #Philosophy #Archaeology #Engineering
paper · doi:10.1017/s0021911808000053
published in The Journal of Asian Studies 67(1), 143-170 (Cambridge University Press)
openalex publication_date 2008/02/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
This article explores factors contributing to a boom in Buddhist temple construction in contemporary mainland China. In contrast to recent studies focusing on struggles between religious believers and the state over the revival of local temples and churches, this article examines the culture of merit making and morality building that leads clergy and lay practitioners to form translocal networks with the aim of constructing temples in rural areas where they have few or any cultural ties. The author explores how temple building is driven by differing moral visions within the urban Buddhist community, but with little consideration for the culture and history of the people in the localities where the temples are constructed.