Buddhists' Methods for Confronting COVID-19

Many religious groups are confronting COVID-19 by moving religious services online, but there are other ways of confronting the crisis.  As this article explains, people -- Buddhists in this case -- can also appeal to rituals and magical practices.

Several examples are given.  In Thailand, special talismans have been distributed at Theravada Buddhist temples to help protect people from contracting the virus.  Buddhist groups in Japan have practices expulsion rituals to clean their country of the virus.  The Dalai Lama has even encouraged people to chant mantras to obtain protection.

Of course, many Buddhists also engage in scientifically-grounded practices that help prevent the spread of the virus, such as wearing masks.  Yet, many people combine these "secular" practices with the religious ones.  We should not forget that religion is for many people a source of power to help them confront the challenges of life, including a pandemic.