Deciphering Evolutionary Patterns and Multifaceted Drivers of Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries in Amdo's Tibetan Inhabited Area, China

Abstract

Tibetan Buddhism, which has been nurtured and developed within the unique geographical environment of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, represents a religious and cultural phenomenon that exhibits distinct regional and ethnic characteristics. Investigating the spatiotemporal evolution of Tibetan Buddhism is essential for a comprehensive understanding of this religious practice. Traditional research has largely concentrated on qualitative descriptions derived from historical data compilation, neglecting the quantitative analysis of its spatiotemporal evolution and underlying mechanisms. This study seeks to quantitatively explore evolutionary patterns and various factors influencing the historical development of Tibetan Buddhist culture within Amdo Tibetan cultural heartland in China. Utilizing Tibetan Buddhist monasteries as cultural carriers, the research employed spatiotemporal data mining and machine learning methods to uncover these dynamics. The results show that: (1) The quantity of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the Amdo region has substantially grown over time, exhibiting increasingly noticeable spatial clustering characteristics; (2) Factors such as the concentration of population and economic activities, accessibility to water resources, climate and agricultural production conditions, and convenience of transportation significantly impact the spatiotemporal evolution of Tibetan Buddhism; (3) Under the combined influence of macro‐geographical environment factors and micro‐level religious heritage history, the Amdo Tibetan inhabited area has gradually developed a spatial pattern characterized by clusters of monasteries centered in the Hehuang Valley, with widespread distribution throughout the eastern region. The quantitative research framework proposed in this paper offers an academic reference for exploring the spatiotemporal evolution of complex religious and cultural phenomena across long historical periods.