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Supernatural and natural seismic framing in a Tibetan Buddhist community

Author

Listed:
  • Lei Sun

    (Fudan University)

  • Jun Guo

    (Jinan University)

Abstract

Based on a questionnaire survey conducted in the Yushu area, China, this study shows that for Tibetans, framing an earthquake as a punishment, will, or trial from gods may have similar connotations. Namely, the topology of positive and negative disaster attributions may not be applicable to Tibetans. Furthermore, in Tibetans’ belief systems regarding disaster, supernatural and natural types framing are different, but not opposite. Indeed, this study reveals that earthquake experience shapes Tibetans’ disaster framing. Specifically, vicarious earthquake experience (i.e., the frequency of discussing earthquake-related topics with others in daily life) increases their tendency to offer supernatural attributions, while harmful earthquake experience increases their likelihood to frame earthquakes as natural phenomena. In addition, Tibetan Buddhist religiosity is entwined with fatalism, whereby their greater general fatalism increases believers’ tendency to frame earthquakes as supernatural signs. These findings thus enrich our knowledge of Tibetan Buddhist believers’ disaster framing and have implications for designing culture-oriented disaster risk reduction strategies for communities that are saturated with a heavily Buddhist culture.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei Sun & Jun Guo, 2025. "Supernatural and natural seismic framing in a Tibetan Buddhist community," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 121(10), pages 12195-12213, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:121:y:2025:i:10:d:10.1007_s11069-025-07277-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-025-07277-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Julia S. Becker & Douglas Paton & David M. Johnston & Kevin R. Ronan, 2013. "Salient Beliefs About Earthquake Hazards and Household Preparedness," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(9), pages 1710-1727, September.
    2. Lei Sun & Guiwu Su & Qing Tian & Wenhua Qi & Fenggui Liu & Min Qi & Ruoyu Li, 2019. "Religious belief and Tibetans’ response to earthquake disaster: a case study of the 2010 Ms 7.1 Yushu earthquake, Qinghai Province, China," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 99(1), pages 141-159, October.
    3. Gao, Ming & Liu, Yu-Jane & Shi, Yushui, 2020. "Do people feel less at risk? Evidence from disaster experience," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 138(3), pages 866-888.
    4. Justin Gallagher, 2014. "Learning about an Infrequent Event: Evidence from Flood Insurance Take-Up in the United States," American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, American Economic Association, vol. 6(3), pages 206-233, July.
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