Many Instagram users vary in the
way they use this social media platform to convey their thoughts, beliefs, and
experiences, and other users tend to be more alike. This trend is also the same
for Instagram users whom are inspired by and practice the teaching of the
leader of the Buddhist faith, the Dalai Lama.
When sampling posts hash tagged
with the words “Dalai Lama” it was found that each user choose different but
similar ways to display their narrative of and to live out religion by using
the teaching of the Dalai Lama. While analyzing the 6 examples selected and
featured on this blog over the past two weeks, the performance of religion by
these Instagram users will be examined. Similarities will be considered while
contrasting them with the idiosyncrasies in these posts.
The posts first are similar in the
way religious quotes, or teachings of the Dalai Lama are used. All but one of
the Instagram user posts being examined have used a quote or summarized a
teaching of the Dalai Lama to add narration to their photos or as the actual
picture it self. The users tomorrowsmoment and weallshineon_ both post pictures
of quotes by the Dalai Lama while laymoune02, breathinginyoga, and gabyduque9
use saying of the Buddhist religious leader in their captions to add
description to their photos. The only user not to include a teaching of the
Dalai Lama is pathoutfitters. Neither their photograph nor their caption
features a trace of a religious phrase.
While all
but one of the posts include religious sayings to narrate their photo, only 4
out of the 6 posts depict how the users live out religious in their lives. The
users laymoune02, breathinginyoga, gabyduque9, and pathoutfitters all display
how they live out religion on this social media site and give meaning to their
pictures by including a caption, but the performances of religion vary.
Two of the users are depicted
practicing religious acts.laymoune02’s picture and captions present performed
religion by showing the user practicing the religious teaching of traveling to
a new place once a year. breathinginyoga photo captures her in a yoga pose
which when paired with her caption presents the idea that she is practicing the
religious act of meditation.
Another user performs religion by
means of texts.gabyduque09 photo alludes to the act of relaxation with her tea
and hookah while further exploring the teaching of the Dalai Lama through
secondary religious texts.
While these three users all show
how they each individually live out religion, the last user’s post does not.
pathoutfitters displays in their photo and quote how others can live out their
religious views thought their wardrobe, with Dalai Lama tee shirts.
Over all, the common message
throughout these posts is to learn the teaching of the religious leader of
Buddhism, the Dalai Lama and to apply these learning’s to one’s life. All of
the users perform religion in different ways but they all believe that religion
should be shown through some type of action whether it be by following a quote
of the day to guide one’s daily actions, performing religious acts such as
meditating, or displaying how other believers can display their beliefs openly.
Due to these examples I will be answering the research
question:
How do the users of the posts on
Instagram containing a hash tag of Dalai Lama perform religion by acting out
the teaching of the Dalai Lama in their lives through religious acts, studying
religious texts, and promoting the practice of lived out religion to others?
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