Journal of East China Normal University (Philosoph ›› 2017, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (2): 56-65.doi: 10.16382/j.cnki.1000-5579.2017.02.005

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Catholicism in Local Tibetan Society in Western Yunnan: Religion as a Social Classification System and the Practice of Life “Order” in Village

HU Meng-yin, HUANG Jian-bo   

  • Online:2017-03-15 Published:2017-03-23

Abstract:

With an anthropological observation, this paper examines Catholicism in a Chinese Tibetan village, Cizhong in Yunan Province. Catholicism, together with Tibetan Buddhism as another local religion, not only plays a role of a "religion" but also a social classification system in the village. These two different religions become standards for social classification, so that a new order is established to maintain the stability of public life in the village. Indicating an integrating process of a heterogeneous society, the religious social classification system and the historical narrative of the village that ensure the whole village is the "subject" in public affairs.

Key words: Tibetan village, Catholicism, social classification system, order