[ **up: [[Buddhism]] | [[Religion--China]] | [[Daoism]]** ] --- # Temples – China ## Buddhist temples - [[Hongluo Temple (Beijing)]] - [[Lingyin Temple (Hangzhou)]] - [[Longquan Temple (Beijing)|Longquan Temple (Beijing)]] - [[Yongfu Temple (Hanzghou)|Yongfu Temple (Hangzhou)]] - [[Yonghe Temple (Beijing)|Yonghe Temple (Bejiing)]] - [[Yufo Temple (Shanghai)]] - [[Wenshu Monastery (Chengdu)]] --- ### Variations in Buddhist temples [[2023-0917. 'While smaller censers are usually found in the prayer halls of temples, the larger, head-high incense burners are placed in the middle of temple courtyards.'|'While smaller censers are usually found in the prayer halls of temples, the larger, head-high incense burners are placed in the middle of temple courtyards.']][^1] [[In simply furnished temples, incense powders are usually stored in plastic containers.|In ‘very well equipped temples, incense powders are usually stored in wooden baskets together with wooden spoons, which help to make use of the powder). In more simply furnished temples, the same materials are stored in plastic containers.’]][^2] Not all temples use incense.[^3] For example, [[Yongfu Temple (Hanzghou)]]. --- ## Taoist temples --- ## Young people and Temples (China) [[2025-0315. 'It was an ordinary Monday afternoon in March when Yonghe Lama Temple’s beaded bracelets started gong viral on Chinese social media.'|’Visiting temples has recently become a new trend among some young Chinese. They are motivated by such purposes as relieving stress or wishing for good fortune.’]][^4] [[2025-0315. In Chinese temples, 'young people take pictures in smoky temple yards and share them on social media, buy Buddhism-themed souvenirs and offer incense and tributes as well as make wishes.'|In Chinese temples, 'young people take pictures in smoky temple yards and share them on social media, buy Buddhism-themed souvenirs and offer incense and tributes as well as make wishes.']][^5] --- ### 2023+ fashion trend [[2025-0315. 'China’s millennials and Gen Z are flocking to famous Buddhist temples across the nation this spring. Visits to temples have surged 310 percent since the beginning of 2023...'|'China’s millennials and Gen Z are flocking to famous Buddhist temples across the nation this spring. Visits to temples have surged 310 percent since the beginning of 2023...']][^6] [[2025-0315. 'Data from the travel platform Trip.com shows that bookings for temples as of February 21 in 2023 increased 310 percent from the same period in 2022.'|'Data from the travel platform Trip.com shows that bookings for temples as of February 21 in 2023 increased 310 percent from the same period in 2022.']][^7] [[2025-0315. 'Data from the travel platform Trip.com shows that bookings for temples as of February 21 in 2023 increased 310 percent from the same period in 2022.'|’Search indexes are telling more as “temples” were searched 586 percent more frequently from January 1 to March 16 than the previous year. Roughly 44.9 percent of people who make such searches are aged between 18 and 30, according to Ocean Engine, a digital marketing servicer.’]][^8] [[2025-0315. 'Hangzhou’s Lingyin Temple (has) also experienced long queues outside their gates, often forming early in the morning.'|'Other renowned temples in China, such as Hangzhou’s Lingyin Temple have also experienced long queues outside their gates, often forming early in the morning. This contrasts sharply with the situation just a few years ago when temples like Yonghe Palace only became crowded during major holidays.']][^9] --- #### Not Buddhist believers [[2025-0315. 'The Global Times talked with a handful of young temple goers on Weibo and the lifestyle-sharing app Xiaohongshu, finding none of them are Buddhist believers and most of them do not have a strong, specific wish they hope to realize.'|'The Global Times talked with a handful of young temple goers on Weibo and the lifestyle-sharing app Xiaohongshu, finding none of them are Buddhist believers and most of them do not have a strong, specific wish they hope to realize.']][^10] [[2025-0315. 'The Global Times talked with a handful of young temple goers on Weibo and the lifestyle-sharing app Xiaohongshu, finding none of them are Buddhist believers and most of them do not have a strong, specific wish they hope to realize.'|’For some, visiting a temple, offering incense, and sharing photos online are very much a new trend that young people feel compelled to catch, just like suburb camping and Frisbee which went highly popular in 2022.’]][^11] [[2025-0315. 'Tips are shared online to teach beginners about how to offer incense and other tributes, the correct gesture and words to make a wish, including whether it is necessary to recite one’s ID number in front of the Buddha.'|’Zhang Yiwu noted that Chinese people have a very pragmatic perception of all religions - hope they can help with their secular life. From wishes before the Buddhas to blessings carried by bracelets and those odd personal objects, young people have very realistic goals in mind.’]][^12] [[2025-0315. 'Tips are shared online to teach beginners about how to offer incense and other tributes, the correct gesture and words to make a wish, including whether it is necessary to recite one’s ID number in front of the Buddha.'|’A viral sentence goes “Between going to work and going to study, young people choose to go to temples.” But young people are actually thinking about their work and study, rather than lying flat and wanting nothing, Zhang said. He saw the phenomenon to be combining Chinese pragmatic perception of religion and efforts in pursuit of a better life.’]][^13] [[2025-0315. 'Tips are shared online to teach beginners about how to offer incense and other tributes, the correct gesture and words to make a wish, including whether it is necessary to recite one’s ID number in front of the Buddha.'|’Shen said visiting temples is also a method to get some mental relief when one gets too stressed. “Wishing for a promotion does not mean I do not work hard but only sit there and wait for the good luck.”]][^14] [[2025-0315. 'The rising popularity of temples among Chinese millennials and Gen-Zers demonstrates that the nation’s “spiritual economy” is booming.'|’Many young urban dwellers in China are turning to activities and consumption behaviors that help improve their mental well-being because of the immense pressures they face, which can lead to burnout. Temples fit into this trend well as they offer spiritual support and have relatively tranquil environmental settings that are separated from bustling cities. Visiting temples is an affordable way for Chinese millennials and Gen-Zers to release stress and seek better luck.’]][^15] --- ##### Prayers, incense, and merchandise [[2025-0315. 'Tips are shared online to teach beginners about how to offer incense and other tributes, the correct gesture and words to make a wish, including whether it is necessary to recite one’s ID number in front of the Buddha.'|'Tips are shared online to teach beginners about how to offer incense and other tributes, the correct gesture and words to make a wish, including whether it is necessary to recite one’s ID number in front of the Buddha.]][^16] ###### Careers and fortunes (not marriage) [[2025-0315. 'The most popular Buddhas among young visitors are those in charge of careers and fortunes, while the one in charge of romance and marriage is receiving less interest than before.'|'The most popular Buddhas among young visitors are those in charge of careers and fortunes, while the one in charge of romance and marriage is receiving less interest than before.']][^17] ###### Consecration centre blessings [[2025-0315. 'The hustle and bustle of those consecration centers also tell about what young people cared about - people bring their personal belongings to be blessed by a Buddhist master, including things as odd as hard drives and laptops.'|'The hustle and bustle of those consecration centers also tell about what young people cared about - people bring their personal belongings to be blessed by a Buddhist master, including things as odd as hard drives and laptops.']][^18] --- ###### Temple ‘merchandise’ [[2025-0315. 'It was an ordinary Monday afternoon in March when Yonghe Lama Temple’s beaded bracelets started gong viral on Chinese social media.'|’… many Chinese temples have started to offer creative and well-designed products to meet the tastes of young visitors.’]][^19] [[2025-0315. 'It was an ordinary Monday afternoon in March when Yonghe Lama Temple’s beaded bracelets started gong viral on Chinese social media.'|’Instead of the traditional items sold at temples, like Buddhist scriptures and amulets, new products include cups, pens and ornaments that have more secular uses, many of which cleverly combine Buddhism with designs such as cartoon figures and traditional Chinese culture.‘]][^20] [[2025-0315. 'Another popular cartoon figure sold at Yufo Temple is of a little monk named “Shixiaobai.”'|’They are happy to pay for those beautiful and portable things with auspicious meaning.’]][^21] - *see:* [[Yonghe Temple (Beijing)#Yonghegong’s viral beaded bracelets|Yonghe Lama Temple’s viral beaded bracelets]] - *see:* [[Yufo Temple (Shanghai)#Temple ‘merchandise’|Yufo Temple’s merchandise (including the “Shixiaobai” character)]] - *see:* [[Longquan Temple (Beijing)#Longquan Temple|Longquan’s Temple’s “Xian’er” character merchandise]] --- ###### Coffee and noodles - [[Yongfu Temple (Hanzghou)#Spring Festival|Coffee and noodles during the Spring Festival (Yongfu Temple, Hangzhou)]] --- ###### Controversial prices [[2025-0315. 'On the Twitter-like Sina Weibo, a user complained that she bought a rabbit-shaped key chain accessory for 88 yuan at a temple in Shanghai, but later found a similar item without the temple’s logo for only 10 yuan on a shopping website.'|'On the Twitter-like Sina Weibo, a user complained that she bought a rabbit-shaped key chain accessory for 88 yuan at a temple in Shanghai, but later found a similar item without the temple’s logo for only 10 yuan on a shopping website.']][^22] [[2025-0315. 'On the Twitter-like Sina Weibo, a user complained that she bought a rabbit-shaped key chain accessory for 88 yuan at a temple in Shanghai, but later found a similar item without the temple’s logo for only 10 yuan on a shopping website.'|’A few products even charge a “pink tax” from female customers. Liang said the beaded bracelets she bought at Yonghe Lama Temple have men’s and women’s ­versions. “The women’s bracelets are smaller than the men’s, but they are sold at higher prices.”’]][^23] [^1]: Peter O. Staub, et al., ‘[[Staub, et al. ‘Incense and Plant Ritual Use in Southwest China_ A Case Study Among the Bai in Shaxi’, 2011.|Incense and Plant Ritual Use in Southwest China: A Case Study Among the Bai in Shaxi]], *Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine*, vol. 7, no. 1, Dec. 2011, p. 4. [^2]: Peter O. Staub, et al., ‘[[Staub, et al. ‘Incense and Plant Ritual Use in Southwest China_ A Case Study Among the Bai in Shaxi’, 2011.|Incense and Plant Ritual Use in Southwest China: A Case Study Among the Bai in Shaxi]], *Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine*, vol. 7, no. 1, Dec. 2011, p. 4. [^3]: ‘Yongfu Temple: Discover China’s Most Beautiful Temple in Hangzhou’, *Peek*, retrieved 19 March 2025, https://www.peek.com/hangzhou-zhejiang-china/r0a437/yongfu-temple-discover-chinas-most-beautiful-temple-in-hangzhou/a0g67krn. [^4]: Huang Lanlan, ‘[[Huang. ‘Chinese temples attracting young people with trendy, well-designed products’, 2023.|Chinese temples attracting young people with trendy, well-designed products]]’, *Global Times*, 24 May 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291305.shtml. [^7]: Zhang Han, ‘Young people visit temples to catch fashion trend, relieve pressure’, *Global Times*, 22 March 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287753.shtml. [^6]: Zihao Liu, ‘[[Liu. ‘China’s Gen Z Spiritual Awakening_ Young Chinese Flock to Temples’, 2023.|China's Gen Z Spiritual Awakening? Young Chinese Flock to Temples]]’, *Jing Daily*, 23 March 2023, https://jingdaily.com/posts/young-chinese-temple-visits-bracelets.arch 2023, https://jingdaily.com/posts/young-chinese-temple-visits-bracelets. [^5]: Zhang Han, ‘Young people visit temples to catch fashion trend, relieve pressure’, *Global Times*, 22 March 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287753.shtml. [^18]: Zhang Han, ‘Young people visit temples to catch fashion trend, relieve pressure’, *Global Times*, 22 March 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287753.shtml. [^9]: Zihao Liu, ‘[[Liu. ‘China’s Gen Z Spiritual Awakening_ Young Chinese Flock to Temples’, 2023.|China's Gen Z Spiritual Awakening? Young Chinese Flock to Temples]]’, *Jing Daily*, 23 March 2023, https://jingdaily.com/posts/young-chinese-temple-visits-bracelets.arch 2023, https://jingdaily.com/posts/young-chinese-temple-visits-bracelets. [^8]: Zhang Han, ‘Young people visit temples to catch fashion trend, relieve pressure’, *Global Times*, 22 March 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287753.shtml. [^13]: Zhang Han, ‘Young people visit temples to catch fashion trend, relieve pressure’, *Global Times*, 22 March 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287753.shtml. [^10]: Zhang Han, ‘Young people visit temples to catch fashion trend, relieve pressure’, *Global Times*, 22 March 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287753.shtml. [^11]: Zhang Han, ‘Young people visit temples to catch fashion trend, relieve pressure’, *Global Times*, 22 March 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287753.shtml. [^12]: Zhang Han, ‘Young people visit temples to catch fashion trend, relieve pressure’, *Global Times*, 22 March 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287753.shtml. [^15]: Zihao Liu, ‘[[Liu. ‘China’s Gen Z Spiritual Awakening_ Young Chinese Flock to Temples’, 2023.|China's Gen Z Spiritual Awakening? Young Chinese Flock to Temples]]’, *Jing Daily*, 23 March 2023, https://jingdaily.com/posts/young-chinese-temple-visits-bracelets.arch 2023, https://jingdaily.com/posts/young-chinese-temple-visits-bracelets. [^14]: Zhang Han, ‘Young people visit temples to catch fashion trend, relieve pressure’, *Global Times*, 22 March 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287753.shtml. [^17]: Zhang Han, ‘Young people visit temples to catch fashion trend, relieve pressure’, *Global Times*, 22 March 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287753.shtml. [^16]: Zhang Han, ‘Young people visit temples to catch fashion trend, relieve pressure’, *Global Times*, 22 March 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287753.shtml. [^23]: Huang Lanlan, ‘[[Huang. ‘Chinese temples attracting young people with trendy, well-designed products’, 2023.|Chinese temples attracting young people with trendy, well-designed products]]’, *Global Times*, 24 May 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291305.shtml. [^22]: Huang Lanlan, ‘[[Huang. ‘Chinese temples attracting young people with trendy, well-designed products’, 2023.|Chinese temples attracting young people with trendy, well-designed products]]’, *Global Times*, 24 May 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291305.shtml. [^19]: Huang Lanlan, ‘[[Huang. ‘Chinese temples attracting young people with trendy, well-designed products’, 2023.|Chinese temples attracting young people with trendy, well-designed products]]’, *Global Times*, 24 May 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291305.shtml. [^20]: Huang Lanlan, ‘[[Huang. ‘Chinese temples attracting young people with trendy, well-designed products’, 2023.|Chinese temples attracting young people with trendy, well-designed products]]’, *Global Times*, 24 May 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291305.shtml. [^21]: Huang Lanlan, ‘[[Huang. ‘Chinese temples attracting young people with trendy, well-designed products’, 2023.|Chinese temples attracting young people with trendy, well-designed products]]’, *Global Times*, 24 May 2023, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202305/1291305.shtml.