The Covid-19 pandemic brought about significant adaptations in religious institutions as lockdowns and social distancing measures disrupted traditional practices and celebrations. This presentation investigates the continuities, disruptions, and creative responses of a Chan Buddhist community in China, focusing on the Shaolin Monastery's transformation during the epidemic-induced five-month quarantine.
Drawing from an ethnographic study based on two-and-a-half years of anthropological fieldwork, including the quarantine period, this presentation offers a unique perspective on the experiences of a relatively isolated religious community amidst a public health crisis. The analysis delves into the strategies employed by the monastic community to maintain its core religious life while adhering to government policies for combating the epidemic.
In addition to exploring the internal changes within the religious institution, the presentation also examines the community's efforts to provide medical equipment to vulnerable populations and Shaolin cultural centers worldwide. This analysis aims to shed light on the creativity, resilience, and adaptability of grassroots religious institutions in times of crisis, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complex interrelationships between social structures and practices in China today.
