The Religious Conversion and Transformation : A Case study of Wu-Sian-Cih-En Temple
| Autor: | Chen, Ying-Chi, 陳瑩琪 |
|---|---|
| Rok vydání: | 2010 |
| Druh dokumentu: | 學位論文 ; thesis |
| Popis: | 98 With the semi-structural interview method, I aimed at and interviewed some senior converts from Wu-Sian-Cih-En Temple, a temple which mainly enshrines Wu-Sian Great Buddha. My research is to find out why they became believers and why they, who had been Taoists at first, transferred themselves into Buddhists. Furthermore, by examining the present converting theory, I have compared and arranged the data, and have finally come up with the conclusion as below. In the beginning, Wu-Sian-Cih-En Temple, which used to be run with Taoism, has gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple under Wu-Sian Great Buddha’s leading. This is similar to Lofland’s opinion. Lofland thinks people revise their religion in accordance with what happens around them, and that changing one’s religion is a re-socialization problem rather than a selection problem. During the interviews, most respondents indicated they naturally accepted the whole process and result of transformation. On the contrary, they think the transformation has strengthened their faith, made their belief last longer, promoted their state of mind, and benefited themselves by benefiting others. This is also related to the kind, merciful, and caring image of Wu-Sian Great Buddha, who has long played the role of a mentor. Besides, this also has something to do with the fact that Wu-Sian Great Buddha spent about twenty years explaining Heart Sutra and the Five Classics of Pure Land, and led the believers into Buddhist doctrines step by step. As to the social network is the major vector that makes those believers convert while the religious doctrine is only the minor one. After their conversion, the doctrine becomes the major vector. I find that their conversion is mostly due to the introduction from their relatives and friends. The major cause to make them convert is that they have suffered terrible unforeseen happenings causing them great tension or that they have tried to solve their problems by religion. After conversion, they want to be more specialized in Buddhism and to practice Buddhism. That proves the doctrine has become the strongest vector to hold them. I try to explain the degree of their conversion by commitment. I find the affective commitment and the instrumental commitment are cause and effect mutually. This finding is also consistent with the Theory of Sacrifice: sacrifice, investment, and communion are essential in the process to enhance the contribution. Moreover, just as Kanter’s Affective Commitment, the believers have the feeling that they belong to Wu-Sian-Cih-En Temple. |
| Databáze: | Networked Digital Library of Theses & Dissertations |
| Externí odkaz: |
|