Beyond the Digital Dharma: Malaysian Buddhist Youth and the Return to Physical Religious Practice

Beyond the Digital Dharma: Malaysian Buddhist Youth and the Return to Physical Religious Practice

Religion and Social Communication Vol. 24, No. 1 (2026)
ISSN 3057-0883 (Online)

Authors

Lim Soo Jin
Faculty of Creative Industries, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Selangor, Malaysia
Email: sjlim@utar.edu.my
ORCID: 0000-0002-7097-307

Cheah Shu Xu
Faculty of Creative Industries, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Selangor, Malaysia
Email: cheahsx@utar.edu.my
ORCID: 0000-0003-1948-8416

Abstract

The arrival of COVID-19 in 2020 posed significant challenges to religious organizations, including the restriction on physical gatherings. In response, many adopted social media and developed online communities to ensure the continuity of religious services. In the post-pandemic landscape, many religious organizations have shifted their focus back to physical activities while continuing to manage their online communities. Most Buddhist organizations use online activities as a supplement to their offline religious activities. This study examines the implications of this shift for Malaysian Buddhist young adults aged 18 to 26, a digitally literate and socially connected demographic. Using semi-structured online interviews, the research explores how authority and authenticity were negotiated across online and offline spaces. Findings reveal that, unlike other digital services that have seamlessly integrated into their daily lives, online Buddhist activities have not been fully integrated. Participants regarded online platforms as functional tools for communication but affirmed that authentic religious experience and legitimate authority remained anchored in the temple and its leaders. Consequently, the return to physical gatherings was broadly welcomed, with young adults perceiving face-to-face interactions, sacred spaces, and guidance from Venerables as central to their spiritual growth.

Keywords

Buddhism, young adults, traditional authority, digital religion, authenticity

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Pages: 122–140

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62461/LJCX111026

Submitted, Accepted & Published Dates

Submitted: July 23, 2025
Accepted: November 10, 2025
Published: January 1, 2026

Cite this article

Lim, Soo Jin, and Cheah Shu Xu. “Beyond the Digital Dharma: Malaysian Buddhist Youth and the Return to Physical Religious Practice.” Religion and Social Communication 24, no. 1 (2026): 122–140. https://doi.org/10.62461/LJCX111026.

Copyright & License

© 2026 The authors. This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).