Family Ties in Monastic’s Lives: A Study of Contemporary Monasticism in Beijing

The project investigates the practices of contemporary Buddhist Monastics in relation to their interaction and communication with family members. The question to be investigated is: To what extent, if at all, do contemporary monastics maintain relationships with living family members? The research will focus, in particular, on ways that family is understood in this context and the influence, if any, that modern technology has on relationships between monastics and their families. The research will entail studying autobiographies of contemporary Chinese monastics as well as conducting in-depth interviews with five practicing Buddhist Monks residing in Beijing, China. Beyond simply illuminating the ways that family works in religion, this project should help us to better understand the contemporary Chinese religions generally.

Faculty Supervisor:

Susan Andrews

Student:

Megan Moffatt

Partner:

Discipline:

Religion

Sector:

University:

Mount Allison University

Program:

Globalink Research Award