Workshop "Religious Transformations in Modern Southeast Asia" (Hanoi, October
2-5, 2013)
The research network "Dynamics of Religion in Southeast Asia"
(DORISEA) and the Vietnamese Institute of Culture and Art Studies (VICAS) hold
a joint interdisciplinary workshop at the VICAS in Hanoi from October
3-5.
Information about the programme and the presenters can be found
here: <http://www.dorisea.de/de/node/1384>.
In case you are
interested in attending the workshop, please contact us via <dorisea@uni-goettingen.de>.
*WORKSHOP
OUTLINE*
The entire region of Southeast Asia is engaged in an accelerated
change in the political, economic, social, medial and ultimately religious
spheres. As such, the region is marked by transformations in the concept of
religion and in religions themselves. During the workshop, key areas of these
transformations will be identified and theorized.
*WORKSHOP
TOPICS*
/I. *Transformation of religion(s) in public
spaces*/
Religions are becoming more visible. This is most evident is urban
areas, for example through new or newly renovated temples and churches. There is
a noteworthy disposition towards monumental constructions, as seen in the mega
churches and large Buddhist complexes. The changes in design and utilization of
these spaces are aligned to processes articulated in urban areas: tourism,
temple festivals, "re-spiritualization" (i.e. feng shui practices), and the
revival of pilgrimage practices. Along with this is the transformation (and
occasional commodification) of religious architecture and ritualism in the
rubric of cultural heritage. One observable feature is the transformation (and
sometimes commodification) of religious architecture and ritualism in cultural
heritage. The booming real estate market is an indicator of the fundamental
shift in economic structures in urban areas and accordingly has an effect on
religious dynamics in public spaces.//
/II. *Religious transformation via
mass media.*/
Mass media, radio, television and the internet have given
religion a "new face" and new media formats are forcing a shift in religious
teachings. In the field of entertainment - TV soaps, blockbuster movies, even in
talent shows, etc., -- religion assumes a direct or "disguised" role. One
cannot separate the dynamics of religion changed by the media from the influence
of secular powers such as state-funded education programs or in tourism
marketing, which are also spread by the media, influence religious thought and
perceptions and are embedded in history and identity constructions.
/III.
*Religious transformation in rituals*/
Current forms of socio-economic
differentiation have far-reaching implications not only on the religious needs
of individual believers, but also on the socially determined dynamics of
religious practice. The newly formed growing middle class is characterized by
specific religious and aesthetic needs which are embedded in specific
educational contexts and work and living situations. According to one thesis,
the hardships of modernity are compensated through a market of religions and
increasingly through an amount of spiritual offers that are usually articulated
in rituals. Hence the rituals of traditional religion are adapted to current
needs which result in increasing and new specifically constructed forms such as
global yoga, wellness and meditation. As such, traditional living and work
contexts that were once bound to religious and ritual implementation are now
subject to profound changes. Beyond the factors of the middle class milieu one
must investigate a pluralised socio-cultural milieu and the shift in the social
and economic structures of ritual communities and their consequences on
religious practice.
--
Dr. Karin Klenke
Competence Network
"Dynamics of Religion in Southeast Asia"
Department of Social and Cultural
Anthropology
Georg-August University of Goettingen
Berliner Stra?e 28
D
- 37073 Goettingen
Germany
Phone +49(0)551 39-20153
Fax
+49(0)551 39-7359
E-mailkklenke@gwdg.de
www.dorisea.de
