Place, Practice, and Flow: Information Practices in the Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery

Abstract

This paper presents the findings of a study exploring the information practices of members of a religious organization. Its focus is the “Mahamevnawa Buddhist Monastery.” Particularly, this paper focuses on the study's findings in relation to participants' information practices in constructing their understanding of “the Temple.” The study is informed by an information practices theoretical perspective, drawing on work from a variety of disciplines, including Castells'space of flows, and Fisher's information grounds. Data was gathered from participant observation, interviews with both monks and devotees and email follow-ups, and analysis of the online presence of the temple through its website. Five social constructs for the temple appear frequently in the interviews: Virtual space; Physical/geographical place; Virtual space; Symbol; Process and practices; and Organization. Participants' information practices are not only limited to spiritual purposes but also are linked to various social practices, activities, and interests. The study's findings suggest that constructions of place play a hitherto underexplored role in the multi-layered relationship between people and information.