Spatial Characteristics and the Non-Hierarchical Nature of Regional Religious Systems (RRSs)
Based on the spatial analysis and GIS modeling of the distribution of religious sites in Greater China, we have developed the concept of regional religious systems (RRSs) as a novel way of understanding and studying the spatial distribution patterns of religious sites and their relationship with oth...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/1/85 |
| _version_ | 1797437508370300928 |
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| author | Jiang Wu |
| author_facet | Jiang Wu |
| author_sort | Jiang Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Based on the spatial analysis and GIS modeling of the distribution of religious sites in Greater China, we have developed the concept of regional religious systems (RRSs) as a novel way of understanding and studying the spatial distribution patterns of religious sites and their relationship with other social and cultural factors. This essay further explores theoretical issues such as its center–periphery relations in existing administrative and economical hierarchies. Drawing on our current project on RRSs in the Hangzhou region and various available studies about pre-modern Chinese religion, the author explains the spatial characteristics of RRSs, such as the role of transportation, trade and pilgrimage routes in the formation of RRSs. Using Chinese Buddhism as an example, the author argues that RRSs in Greater China should be treated as a spatial formation without an internal hierarchical structure because the political and administrative hierarchy prevents the formation of a strong religious hierarchy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:21:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-891862d4f7704007bcc26ed89e186cb8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:21:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-891862d4f7704007bcc26ed89e186cb82023-12-01T00:17:34ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442023-01-011418510.3390/rel14010085Spatial Characteristics and the Non-Hierarchical Nature of Regional Religious Systems (RRSs)Jiang Wu0Center for Buddhist Studies, Department of East Asian Studies, College of Humanities, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USABased on the spatial analysis and GIS modeling of the distribution of religious sites in Greater China, we have developed the concept of regional religious systems (RRSs) as a novel way of understanding and studying the spatial distribution patterns of religious sites and their relationship with other social and cultural factors. This essay further explores theoretical issues such as its center–periphery relations in existing administrative and economical hierarchies. Drawing on our current project on RRSs in the Hangzhou region and various available studies about pre-modern Chinese religion, the author explains the spatial characteristics of RRSs, such as the role of transportation, trade and pilgrimage routes in the formation of RRSs. Using Chinese Buddhism as an example, the author argues that RRSs in Greater China should be treated as a spatial formation without an internal hierarchical structure because the political and administrative hierarchy prevents the formation of a strong religious hierarchy.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/1/85regional religious systemscenter–periphery relationshipWilliam Skinnermacro-regionhierarchyadministrative system |
| spellingShingle | Jiang Wu Spatial Characteristics and the Non-Hierarchical Nature of Regional Religious Systems (RRSs) Religions regional religious systems center–periphery relationship William Skinner macro-region hierarchy administrative system |
| title | Spatial Characteristics and the Non-Hierarchical Nature of Regional Religious Systems (RRSs) |
| title_full | Spatial Characteristics and the Non-Hierarchical Nature of Regional Religious Systems (RRSs) |
| title_fullStr | Spatial Characteristics and the Non-Hierarchical Nature of Regional Religious Systems (RRSs) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spatial Characteristics and the Non-Hierarchical Nature of Regional Religious Systems (RRSs) |
| title_short | Spatial Characteristics and the Non-Hierarchical Nature of Regional Religious Systems (RRSs) |
| title_sort | spatial characteristics and the non hierarchical nature of regional religious systems rrss |
| topic | regional religious systems center–periphery relationship William Skinner macro-region hierarchy administrative system |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/1/85 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jiangwu spatialcharacteristicsandthenonhierarchicalnatureofregionalreligioussystemsrrss |