140 - Zomia: Peoples, Societies, and Cultures of Upland Southeast Asia

Theravada Buddhism in contemporary Xishuangbanna

By Roger Casas

 

The article discusses the Theravada Buddhism   and related academic research and its survival as being the main elements shaped the identity of Lue ethnic and continues to differentiate it with other communities sharing the same socioeconomic system. While Buddhism still remains an important aspect of Lue identity, the religion’s traditions are undergoing transformation due to the influence of secularizing and modernizing forces ( Casas, 293).

 Theses influences are wrought by economic and political polices of PRC which determine Lue public representation and such has led to commoditization of their culture. The Xishuangbanna religious activities and the economy that is tourist oriented have helped to maintain this culture.

Reaction

The transformation of the community’s religious traditions are rightly articulated in the article, which highlights that economic and political polices have informed the change. These are the modernizing forces that have helped maintain and also change the tradition.

Criticism

 The article ignores the negative effects the economic and political policies of PRC have in eroding the original traditional practices related to Theravada Buddhism. 

 

Naxi religion in the age of Tourism

By Charles F. McKhann

The article discusses ethnic tourism which has grown to be a major industry in southwest parts of China. It specifically considers the dongba as one of the major strains of Buddhism of the Naxi in Yunnan Province.  The dongba rituals includes various religious practices such offerings which can last for few hours to some days and the religion is divided into various classes.  The traditions of these religious practices have been sustained through the various texts of papers that are handmade.  Since the Naxi people have the highest level of educated individuals among the minority tribes, the elites were influenced by the Chinese center policy of assimilation and turned away from their traditional dongba religion. Later in 1980’s and 90’s the grandchildren of Naxi elites begun promoting this religion as a symbol of Naxi culture and hence identity ( McKhann, 203).

The revitalization of this religion was influenced by government policy liberalization towards religion and the rapid growth of tourism in Lijiang region. The government carried out heavy advertisement on the minority groups and this brought the Naxi to the limelight and their dongba religious traditions became a great feature in tourism.  Though the practice of the religion’s traditions has declined over the years, a young   have trained on this culture are reviving especially in Eagleback Village.  Various centers have even been promoting training of these traditions as part of art and culture.  The government policies that have promoted tourism development have lead to preservation of dongba religion as part of Naxi culture.  Though the traditional dongda religion still exist it is undergoing a transformation due changing needs in villages and tourism development( McKhann, 205).

Reaction

The article clearly highlights the traditional dongda religion and the various changes it has undergone under the influence of government policies and tourisms.  Different factors that have helped maintain the culture are and stated and the reader can followed through.

Critique

 The article does not explain how the preservation of the religion has assisted the locals who practice it. There is no clear identification of how the culture has affected the Naxi people in modern world it terms of development and social progress.

Comparison

The authors of the two articles have explored the role of traditional religions - Theravada Buddhism   and Dongda Buddhism in promotion of tourism in South East Asia.  The y also explores how the religious traditions have been transformed by modernism, secularization and the political and economic policies adopted by the Chinese government. The Chinese government has ensured that the culture is maintained by promoting tourism development in these areas.

Works cited

Casas, Roger .Theravada Buddhism in contemporary Xishuangbanna. 289-300

McKhann , Charles. Naxi religion in the age of Tourism Persistence and Re (creation). 106-206