Students on The Anthropology of China module visited a popular Chinese Buddhist temple in London last month.
The temple is located just around the corner from Oxford Circus and is an important facility for the Chinese community in London and around the UK. It is part of an international organisation, Fo Guang Shan, based in Taiwan.
The students participated in typical activities to better understand the popularity of the modern variety of Buddhism–‘Humanistic Buddhism‘–practised by Chinese populations in London and, increasingly, around the world. This involved enjoying a special meditation meal of laksa curry in complete silence and learning walking meditation alongside the more common sitting version. They also had an opportunity to meet young lay members of the Chinese Buddhist community as well as a Taiwanese nun, Venerable Dr Miaolung, who hosted the event.
Students taking The Anthropology of China module learn about many aspects of contemporary life in China and Chinese migrant communities by studying the work of social anthropologists. Their work, known as ‘ethnography’, provides a window for detailed understanding of the daily lives of particular communities engaged in specific practices. Other aspects of life studied on the course include the modern Chinese economy and changing kinship and romantic practices. The module is taught by Dr Jonathan Mair, Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology.