Field Study and Interviews in Guanyue Temple

Existing Issues:

1. Complicated Worship Procedures: The steps for worshipping Buddha in Quanzhou are complex. Although there are guidebooks, there is a lack of clear signage. Visitors from outside the area are not familiar with the Guandi Temple, making it difficult for them to find the corresponding locations to complete the rituals based on textual descriptions within a short period.

2. Insufficient Information Channels: The Guandi Temple does not have an official website; it only has a WeChat public account operated by the board of directors of the Tonghuai Guanyue Temple. The content mainly focuses on event notifications (such as performances, worship ceremonies, and academic exchanges), historical stories about Guandi divination, and announcements. There is a lack of detailed explanations about the temple's internal architecture, decorations, sculptures, etc., making it difficult for visitors to fully understand the temple's culture.

3. Staff Cultural Literacy Lacking: The temple staff are mostly board members or volunteers. Interviews revealed that their understanding of temple culture is often limited to daily customs (such as burning incense, drawing lots, and casting divination sticks). They know little about the temple’s historical origins and the stories behind the deities. Some even suggested that visitors look up the public account for information, but they themselves are not well-versed in its content. In conversations, some staff members displayed a lack of reverence for Guandi; for example, one mentioned that “donating incense money is just making a transaction with the deity,” which is concerning.

4. Photography Restrictions: Visitors are prohibited from taking photos inside the temple, limiting their opportunities to document and share their experiences, which affects the dissemination and understanding of temple culture.

Through interviews, insights on the acceptance and concerns regarding cyber practices were gathered:

Advantages:

1. Convenience: Online worship offers believers the opportunity to engage in religious activities anytime and anywhere, especially during the pandemic, allowing many to maintain their faith practices.

2. Participation: Online platforms and social media attract more people, particularly the younger generation, who are more inclined towards digital technology.

3. Diversity: The integration of live streaming, videos, and online interaction attracts a variety of participants, increasing the appeal of religious activities.

4. Cost-effectiveness: The online format reduces transportation and venue costs, enabling more people to participate.

5. Environmental Benefits: Online activities lower the consumption of physical resources like joss paper, incense, and offerings, contributing to environmental protection.

Concerns:

1. Sense of Reality: Online worship lacks physical participation, leading many believers to question the authenticity of the experience. They feel that this format cannot replace the solemnity and spirituality of face-to-face rituals. The lower threshold for online activities may weaken the deep connection between believers and their faith. Traditional religious practices enhance commitment and respect for faith through physical challenges (such as enduring hunger, thirst, cold, and heat), experiences that are hard to replicate in online worship.

2. Lack of Community Feeling: Offline religious activities effectively strengthen a sense of community and belonging, whereas online worship may increase feelings of loneliness and isolation. Without face-to-face interaction and shared participation, believers may feel a diminished connection with others, affecting spiritual support and the atmosphere of shared faith.

3. Authenticity of Information: In the online environment, believers face an overwhelming flow of information, making it difficult to discern which content reflects genuine religious doctrine and which is misleading or false. This information overload can lead to a loss of faith, affecting believers' judgment and choices. Some individuals even create fake temple accounts for financial gain.

4. Simplification of Religious Experience: The format of online worship may lead to a simplification of religious rituals, lacking the deep experiences found in traditional practices. Believers may not achieve the spiritual uplift and inner peace that come from simple online interactions, thereby impacting the depth and integrity of their personal faith.

5. Dependence on Technology: As online worship becomes more widespread, believers may become overly reliant on technology, reducing face-to-face interactions and traditional religious practices. This dependence can make faith more superficial and diminish personal reflection and inner exploration of spirituality.