Study of Online Religious Services: Using Buddhism as an Example

Abstract

With the prevalence of the Internet and cloud information environments, it is worth to consider if there is a better service model for traditional religious services, particularly from the perspective of the needs of people who experience them. Using Buddhism as an example, this study attempted to find how the next generation of Buddhism is unique, as well as provide a more convenient transmission of Dharma, customized services, and sustainable operations. According to the users’ original impression regarding traditional religious service modes and based on the technology acceptance model (TAM), this study probed into their intention to use and their use of online religious services, and explored the changes of worshippers’ technology use habits and actual use perceptions. The users first experienced the process from strangeness to familiarity, and their acceptance at the end was the key of this study. In order to probe into the difference between online religious services and traditional religious services, this study compiled online religious service information into a simple interface, and connected it with related websites to allow religious services with maximum benefits. In order to maintain research consistency, this study set up a website, and posted invitations through Facebook, e-mail and university bulletin board systems, in order to expand the scope from relatives and friends to external users, thus enhancing the diversity and richness of the samples. This study explored the intention to use, the perception in the use and the satisfaction after the use of online religious services according to the TAM, constructed the research framework, established hypotheses, and conducted an empirical study using a questionnaire survey. This study conducted an e-questionnaire survey on online worshippers and those who were interested in this issue, and