New Books in Buddhist Studies Kai Shmushko, "Multiple Liminalities of Lay Buddhism in Contemporary China: Modalities, Material Culture, and Politics" (Leiden UP, 2024)
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May 19, 2025 
Kai Shmushko, a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at the University of Amsterdam, dives into the fascinating world of lay Buddhism in contemporary China. She discusses how modern practitioners navigate societal changes and the evolving landscape of Buddhist practices outside monastic settings. The conversation explores the integration of commerce with spirituality, the rise of community spaces for Tibetan Buddhism, and the innovations brought about by technology and the COVID-19 pandemic. Shmushko argues for the concept of multiple liminalities to understand these dynamics.
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Defining Lay Buddhists
- Lay Buddhists practice Buddhism outside monasteries without monastic vows.
- Their engagement varies from devoted identification to informal practice without explicit religious affiliation.
Multiple Liminalities Framework
- Contemporary Buddhist practices occupy liminal spaces between legal and illegal, digital and physical.
- Liminality reveals how Buddhism negotiates boundaries amid societal and political challenges.
Living Halls: Hybrid Religious Spaces
- Living halls blend Tibetan Buddhist practice with market economy through selling commodities.
- These spaces function both as religious practice sites and business enterprises under legal ambiguity.
