Panel: RELIGION AS "SITUATED KNOWLEDGE" IN SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION



392.1 - BLENDING TRADITIONS: THE HYBRIDIZATION OF TIBETAN BUDDHISM IN TAIWAN

AUTHORS:
Wallenböck U. (University of Bonn ~ Bonn ~ Germany)
Text:
This paper examines the hybridization of Tibetan Buddhist practices in Taiwan and its impact on social transformation. As Tibetan Buddhism becomes established in Taiwan, it adapts to shifting religious identities, changing social dynamics, and broader cultural exchanges. Practitioners and institutions face challenges in preserving authenticity while blending into Taiwan's religious environment. While Tibetan prayers are transliterated for practitioners, monks and lamas often learn Chinese for teaching, which influences religious experience and identity. The spread of Tibetan Buddhism is influenced by historical migrations, globalization, and digital platforms, which transform religious authority, relationships between laypeople and monks, and community involvement. This hybridization extends beyond ritual practices to include institutional frameworks and charismatic leadership, creating a distinct Taiwanese version of Tibetan Buddhism. My findings explore the balance between tradition and innovation, where Tibetan practices are reinterpreted to align with Taiwan's sociocultural context. This transformation is evident in the incorporation of local spiritual ideas and the rise of consumer-oriented religiosity. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, the study tracks Tibetan Buddhism's integration into Taiwanese society, illustrating how religious hybridization reshapes identity and drives social change. This research contributes to broader conversations on transnational migration, cultural adaptation, and the evolving religious landscape in Taiwan.