|
|
|
| Sunday, 17 July 2005 |
 |
|
 |
Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Buddhism in China by M. P. Muttiah Believers and non-believers co-exist in modern Chinese society. Buddhism had first reached China from India in the First Century AD encouraged by King Kanishka of Kushan Empire in Central Asia. Buddhist monasteries in China became centres for learning, places of pilgrimage, hospitals and schools. Buddhism was promoted and protected by early T'ang rulers, particularly the Empress Wu Hou. After China became the People's Republic every encouragement was given to religious freedom and cultural development. In this respect, the Buddhist Academy of China was founded in 1956 at the Fayuansi monastery in Beijing which has 1350-year history. It is the only Buddhist Academy that conducts its activities in Chinese language. It takes the lead in educating young monks on Buddhism and research. When we, the journalists of South Asian countries visited Fayuansi, its typical emperor design of courtyards with Pines and Lilac trees against the purple walls greeted us. It provides a peaceful condition to study and meditate. Young monks are selected from students with 12 years of schooling, faithfulness, good qualities and virtue. "The Buddhist Academy of China, in its forty years of history underwent turbulent times", said BAC President, Ven. Zhao Puchu. He said that the history of the BAC could be divided into three periods. From its founding in 1956 to the Cultural Revolution in 1966 was the first. The first ten years saw rapid growth of Buddhist activities. In 1966, the Cultural Revolution, brought an end to the functions of the BAC. The struggle against "Four Olds", that is, the old thought, old culture, old customs and old habits, forced the BAC to suspend its activities for ten years. The Third Stage began in 1980 when the communist policy towards religious belief had been restored. Fayuansi became live again. During the past two decades BAC trained 310 monks who had returned to local Buddhist associations or the monasteries and playing an important role in Buddhist activities nation-wide. Nearly 30 students had been sent to Sri Lanka, Myanmar, England, Canada and Korea for higher studies. Some of them have completed their Master's degree and others are working for their Doctoral thesis. Ven. Zhao Puchu said that the BAC had rebuilt Buddhism with the help of the State on the ruins of the Cultural Revolution. When visited the monastery, we witnessed new buildings were coming up. And in down town Beijing, we were able to see houses and shops with Buddha statues that exemplified the religious freedom enjoyed by Chinese people. |
|
| News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
| Produced by Lake House |
