Monk Husband and Nun Wife: Clerical Marriage, Law, and the State in Contemporary China

This article examines the phenomenon of clerical marriage in contemporary China, focusing on the legal and sociopolitical forces shaping this issue. It argues that the revised legal status of clergy, coupled with rapid post-Mao socioeconomic changes, has profoundly impacted the relationship between religious institutions and the state. Monks and nuns often adopt dual identities, balancing monastic commitments with familial obligations. By analyzing judicial decisions, the study highlights how monastics navigate conflicting identities and how their communities address related legal challenges. Special attention is given to the judiciary’s reluctance to grant divorces to monastics, reflecting tensions between societal and political priorities and religious autonomy. Through a detailed examination of court cases, this study sheds light on judicial processes affecting monastics and explores the broader implications for the interplay of legal frameworks, religious practices, and state policies in contemporary China.