Recontextualizing Nanyang Buddhism Based on the Guangzhou Guangxiao Si

This study examined the recontextualization of Nanyang Buddhism and its practices at the Guangzhou Guangxiao Si, considering their adaptation to the requirements of contemporary urban communities in China and Southeast Asia, as well as local cultural values. This research employed historical methodologies alongside a qualitative framework that included semi-structured interviews. This investigation analyzed the recontextualization of Nanyang Buddhism by conducting a textual analysis of the Lankavatara Sutra and Avatamsaka Sutra, which was further supported by interviews with nine participants which included senior monks, scholars, and members of the Chinese diaspora in Guangzhou, South China; Malaysia; and Singapore. The results revealed that the Guangxiao Si plays a strategic role in the adaptation of Mahāyāna Buddhism to meet the social and spiritual needs of the Chinese diaspora community by integrating spiritual teachings with local cultural practices. This process illustrates Buddhism’s adaptability to evolving socio-economic conditions and highlights the significance of temples in influencing the spiritual identity of the Chinese community in Southeast Asia. We recommend that other researchers compare the recontextualization processes of Buddhism in Southeast Asia and analyze the role of the Guangxiao Si in cultural diplomacy and international relations.