The spiritual or secular tourist? The experience of Zen meditation in Chinese temples

• Published in: Tourism management (1982) Vol. 65; pp. 187 - 199
• Main Authors: Jiang, Ting, Ryan, Chris, Zhang, Chaozhi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2018
• Subjects: Experience; Sacred; Secular; Tourism context; Zen meditation; Tourism context; Secular; Experience; Sacred; Zen meditation
• ISSN: 0261-5177; 1879-3193
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2017.10.008

By exploring the meditation camps in Nuonatayuan and Hongfa Temples, the paper examines what motivates tourists to experience Zen meditation in Chinese temples, and how they shape those experiences. The study is based on participant observation and thus includes material drawn from observation, informal and formal interviews, personal experiences and secondary documentation. From the analysis, it can be seen that the meditative experience includes sacred and secular experiences, while in the commercial setting the experience shifts to and fro between secularism and sacredness. It is noted that the tourist context of separation from daily life, the landscape values of the locations, the temple atmosphere, the sharing of experiences with like-minded individuals, contact with monks and mentors all contribute to the senses of personal wellness that participants obtain. •Participant observation of Chinese tourists at a Zen mediation camp.•Analyses the experience of tourists classified as inward or outward directed.•Examines the role of temple, rituals and landscape in the formation of tourist experience.•Assesses the flows between secular and sacred understandings by tourists at the mediation camp.