Location
Monserrat
Start Date
25-6-2026 9:30 AM
End Date
25-6-2026 11:00 AM
Description
This study explores the reconstruction of sacredness and cultural meaning in digital immersive experiences at religious heritage sites. Traditional sacredness is rooted in physical space and material authenticity, while the Longmen Grottoes (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and important Buddhist destination in China) is accelerating digital transformation through mobile-based digital incense offerings, algorithmic "Buddha affinity" matching and digital twin visualization platforms, breaking the classical ontology of fixed sacred space.
Based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model, this study defines digital atmosphere, narrative engagement and interactive rituality as external stimuli, "digital sacredness" a second-order internal psychological state encompassing transcendence, awe, serenity and historical connectedness as the core mediator, and transformative experience, sense of place and revisit intention as behavioural and psychological outcomes. Adopting an explanatory sequential mixed-method design, the study is currently in the data collection stage, with a planned large-scale online survey (target n=400) to be analysed via PLS-SEM, supplemented by qualitative interviews to explore visitors’ differentiated interpretations of digital rituals (as either entertainment consumption or alternative sacred practices).
This paper introduces the conceptual model, measurement design and preliminary research progress. The findings provide theoretical references and practical insights for mediatized religion, sustainable management of religious heritage and sustainable pilgrimage tourism.
Creative Commons License
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Included in
A3) Reconstructing Sacredness in the Digital Age: Mobile Digital Sacred Spaces and Transformative Experiences in Heritage
Monserrat
This study explores the reconstruction of sacredness and cultural meaning in digital immersive experiences at religious heritage sites. Traditional sacredness is rooted in physical space and material authenticity, while the Longmen Grottoes (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and important Buddhist destination in China) is accelerating digital transformation through mobile-based digital incense offerings, algorithmic "Buddha affinity" matching and digital twin visualization platforms, breaking the classical ontology of fixed sacred space.
Based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) model, this study defines digital atmosphere, narrative engagement and interactive rituality as external stimuli, "digital sacredness" a second-order internal psychological state encompassing transcendence, awe, serenity and historical connectedness as the core mediator, and transformative experience, sense of place and revisit intention as behavioural and psychological outcomes. Adopting an explanatory sequential mixed-method design, the study is currently in the data collection stage, with a planned large-scale online survey (target n=400) to be analysed via PLS-SEM, supplemented by qualitative interviews to explore visitors’ differentiated interpretations of digital rituals (as either entertainment consumption or alternative sacred practices).
This paper introduces the conceptual model, measurement design and preliminary research progress. The findings provide theoretical references and practical insights for mediatized religion, sustainable management of religious heritage and sustainable pilgrimage tourism.