Zen master Ming Zhaung of the Bailin Temple in Hebei Province has over 1,000 students who provide for his needs as he travels around China spreading Buddhist teachings. As China has become more prosperous and its people have more free time and freedom to think, interest in spirituality and religions like Buddhism has increased. Young, educated urban Chinese are drawn to Buddhism and other spiritual practices to find purpose and cope with modern pressures. While Christianity and Falun Gong face restrictions, the government has taken a relaxed approach to the revival of local religions like Buddhism and Daoism. Donations from devotees have helped repair thousands of Buddhist temples damaged during the Cultural Revolution, supporting Buddhism's revival in China.
1. The document criticizes Buddhism, arguing that it is an atheistic and oppressive religion based on superstition and error. It asserts that Buddhism denies the existence of God, promotes suffering through its strict practices, and leads people to worship idols like Buddha through irrational rituals and beliefs.
2. The document also rejects Buddhist concepts of reincarnation and karma, arguing they lack rational foundations and promote an unjust caste system. It presents Islam as a rational alternative that offers a peaceful life drawing people close to God.
3. The document questions why Buddhism gained popularity in the Western world, arguing it was promoted through pop culture and films while revealed religions faced opposition. Hollywood films portrayed Buddhism positively but approached other
Buddhism originated in India in the 6th century BC with Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. There are three main types of Buddhists - Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana - which differ in their practices and beliefs. Core Buddhist teachings include following the Buddha's teachings, seeking enlightenment through meditation to break the cycle of rebirth, and respecting the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Buddhists observe various festivals throughout the year celebrating important events in the Buddha's life and the tradition's history.
Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, in India in the 6th century BCE. Buddhists worship at home or in temples, keeping their feet facing away from Buddha images. The religion's major branches are Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Buddhism has spread internationally to many regions including Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and Tibet. Key beliefs include the four noble truths about suffering and its end, following precepts of non-harming and virtue, and practicing meditation and wisdom. Major texts include the Pali Canon and Tibetan Book of the Dead. Festivals include Asalha Puja and Dharma Day.
Dhammakaya international meditation center, azusa, caStacyDGonzalez
This document provides information about a visit to the Dhammakaya International Meditation Center. It includes photos of monks and attendees of a meditation session. Details are given about the history and beliefs of Dhammakaya Buddhism, including the five precepts and process of becoming a monk. Personal accounts from visitors describe the welcoming environment and opportunities to participate in meditation, food offerings, and learn about the culture and non-material beliefs of the religion.
The document discusses statistics showing declining percentages of younger Buddhists in Korea compared to Christians. It also discusses different approaches to helping spread Buddhism, including marketing Buddhism or letting people come to it naturally. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of Buddhist youth purifying themselves through practices like the five precepts in order to help secure Buddhism's future and benefit all beings.
"The Nine Billion Names of God" is a 1953 science fiction short story by British writer Arthur C. Clarke. The story was among the stories selected in 1970 by the Science Fiction Writers of America as one of the best science fiction short stories published before the creation of the Nebula Awards.
1. The document criticizes Buddhism, arguing that it is an atheistic and oppressive religion based on superstition and error. It asserts that Buddhism denies the existence of God, promotes suffering through its strict practices, and leads people to worship idols like Buddha through irrational rituals and beliefs.
2. The document also rejects Buddhist concepts of reincarnation and karma, arguing they lack rational foundations and promote an unjust caste system. It presents Islam as a rational alternative that offers a peaceful life drawing people close to God.
3. The document questions why Buddhism gained popularity in the Western world, arguing it was promoted through pop culture and films while revealed religions faced opposition. Hollywood films portrayed Buddhism positively but approached other
Buddhism originated in India in the 6th century BC with Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha. There are three main types of Buddhists - Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana - which differ in their practices and beliefs. Core Buddhist teachings include following the Buddha's teachings, seeking enlightenment through meditation to break the cycle of rebirth, and respecting the Three Jewels of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Buddhists observe various festivals throughout the year celebrating important events in the Buddha's life and the tradition's history.
Buddhism was founded by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha, in India in the 6th century BCE. Buddhists worship at home or in temples, keeping their feet facing away from Buddha images. The religion's major branches are Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Buddhism has spread internationally to many regions including Southeast Asia, China, Japan, and Tibet. Key beliefs include the four noble truths about suffering and its end, following precepts of non-harming and virtue, and practicing meditation and wisdom. Major texts include the Pali Canon and Tibetan Book of the Dead. Festivals include Asalha Puja and Dharma Day.
Dhammakaya international meditation center, azusa, caStacyDGonzalez
This document provides information about a visit to the Dhammakaya International Meditation Center. It includes photos of monks and attendees of a meditation session. Details are given about the history and beliefs of Dhammakaya Buddhism, including the five precepts and process of becoming a monk. Personal accounts from visitors describe the welcoming environment and opportunities to participate in meditation, food offerings, and learn about the culture and non-material beliefs of the religion.
The document discusses statistics showing declining percentages of younger Buddhists in Korea compared to Christians. It also discusses different approaches to helping spread Buddhism, including marketing Buddhism or letting people come to it naturally. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of Buddhist youth purifying themselves through practices like the five precepts in order to help secure Buddhism's future and benefit all beings.
"The Nine Billion Names of God" is a 1953 science fiction short story by British writer Arthur C. Clarke. The story was among the stories selected in 1970 by the Science Fiction Writers of America as one of the best science fiction short stories published before the creation of the Nebula Awards.
The Buddhist Society of Pittsburgh is an inter-Buddhist community that includes various Buddhist centers and groups in the Pittsburgh area. It aims to promote Buddhist wisdom and teachings in Greater Pittsburgh. The document provides contact information for several local Buddhist organizations, including the Bodhichitta Foundation Sangha, the Buddhist Meditation Center of Pittsburgh, City Dharma, Dzogchen Sangha of Pittsburgh, and others that represent different Buddhist traditions such as Theravada, Tibetan, and Zen.
Christianity has a relatively short but influential history in Korea. It was first introduced in the late 16th century through contact with Chinese Catholics and missionaries, but faced heavy persecution in the 17th-18th centuries. Protestantism arrived in the late 19th century and both forms grew rapidly in the 20th century, with over 30% of Koreans now identifying as Christian. Korean Christianity differs from Western forms through its large megachurches and strong Presbyterian influence. It has contributed greatly to Korean society through education, healthcare, and social reform.
This document provides an interview summary of Kyozan Joshu Sasaki Roshi, a 100-year-old Rinzai Zen Buddhist master. Some key points:
- Roshi has been teaching Zen Buddhism in the US for over 45 years, founding numerous centers and ordaining over 25 priests. He still actively teaches despite his age.
- He challenges Western notions of individualism and attachment to culture/politics, arguing this prevents enlightenment.
- Roshi believes enlightenment cannot be fully achieved or described, and that both enlightened and unenlightened states are necessary for living fully.
- When asked about God, he states true love manifests both the perfect ego and God
1) The Buddhist Society of Pittsburgh (BSP) is an inter-Buddhist community that includes various Buddhist traditions and groups in the area.
2) BSP holds an annual Vesak celebration where different Buddhist groups come together to honor the Buddha's teachings.
3) This year's Vesak theme is "Touching the Earth" as a symbol of the Buddha's awakening, with the Earth as his witness during this time of climate change.
Buddhist monasticism – study of 3 regionsSatyam Rai
Buddhist Monks – from the 6th Century BC
Buddhism - Its Beginning
Monastery Life
Tibetan Monks – Buddhist Monasticism
South East Asian Monks – Buddhist Monasticism
Certain religious beliefs
This document provides an overview of Buddhism, including:
- Buddhism was founded in the 6th century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama and is one of the largest religions in the world with over 500 million followers.
- Core Buddhist beliefs include the Four Noble Truths about suffering and its cessation, impermanence, and non-self. Followers seek enlightenment and liberation from suffering by following the Eightfold Path.
- There are several branches of Buddhism including Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Zen. Sacred texts include Tipitaka and various sutras, and symbols represent core concepts like the Dharma wheel.
- Important sites include those
1) Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family in Nepal but sought a spiritual path outside the palace after seeing suffering in the world.
2) He achieved enlightenment under a pipal tree and began teaching the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, emphasizing meditation to end craving and reach nirvana.
3) Buddhism spread across Asia with the support of King Ashoka in India and merchants/missionaries along trade routes, developing into Theravada and Mahayana branches.
1) Siddhartha Gautama was the founder of Buddhism who lived in ancient India in the 6th century BCE.
2) After experiencing suffering in the world, Gautama left his family to seek enlightenment and lived as an ascetic. Under a fig tree, he achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha.
3) Buddhism teaches the Four Noble Truths of suffering and its cessation through the Eightfold Path. The goal is to end the cycle of rebirth and achieve nirvana by extinguishing desires.
This document provides an overview and summary of key passages from the book "The Art of Living" by Venerable Master Chin Kung. It discusses the original teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni and how they teach us to recognize our thoughts and environment. It then summarizes the four main types of Buddhism that exist today - authentic, religious, philosophical, and deviant. Several passages from the book are then highlighted, discussing topics like cultivating purity of mind, the different Buddhist schools, and the importance of filial piety. The document serves to introduce readers to some of the central concepts and teachings contained within Venerable Master Chin Kung's book.
This document provides information about a book titled "What Buddhists Believe" by K Sri Dhammananda. It is being republished to commemorate the author's 50 years of Buddhist missionary work in Malaysia and Singapore. Some key details:
- The book was first published in 1962 and has since been revised and expanded. It aims to clearly explain Buddhist teachings in simple English.
- It has proven effective in helping many readers understand Buddhism who find more academic texts difficult. Over the years it has helped educate English-speaking people on Buddhism.
- This new expanded 4th edition is being published by the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia and another organization to honor the author and support continuing to spread the Buddha's
The document discusses the future of Buddhism from various perspectives. It argues that if Buddhist youth immerse themselves in Buddhism and purify themselves through moral discipline and meditation, they can help ensure Buddhism has a bright future and allows all beings to find peace and happiness. The document also emphasizes using wisdom and compassion to benefit others in accordance with Buddhist teachings.
My assignment at university under the subject comparative religion. I have interviewed monk at pagoda( wat ) in Battambang City of Cambodia.
Questions were set up in order to reveal how Buddhism educate people, the origination, essence and extinction.
The document discusses several key branches and concepts in Buddhism. It describes Vajrayana Buddhism as originating in China and emphasizing spiritual attainment through a teacher. Zen Buddhism is defined as focusing on meditation and believing the Buddha resides in every heart. The Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path are presented as core Buddhist teachings on suffering and the path to enlightenment.
Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan that focuses on nature worship and veneration of kami (spirits). There are several key tenets of Shinto including tradition/family, love of nature, physical cleanliness, and matsuri festivals. Shinto also emphasizes sincerity, benefitting the group, and harmony with nature. It has no single founder or sacred texts, but developed over time in Japan. Shinto plays a role in many Japanese people's lives through rituals at birth, childhood, holidays, and festivals.
Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan, with approximately 10 million adherents. It focuses on the worship of kami, which are spirits or gods that inhabit nature. There is no single central god, and Shinto places importance on harmony with nature and community. Rituals involve purification to maintain balance. While Shinto is exclusive to Japan, some aspects have blended with Buddhism and influenced traditional Japanese culture. Key religious sites are shrines located in natural settings across the landscape.
The document provides an overview of the City of Dharma Realm, a Buddhist nunnery and education center in West Sacramento, California. It describes the daily chanting practices, educational activities, and goals of propagating Buddhism and facilitating learning. The founder Hsuan Hua established it as part of his mission to spread Buddhism in the West. The nuns are dedicated to education and welcome visitors to learn about their beliefs and practices. Their goal of liberating all beings from suffering through knowledge and enlightenment provides a doctrinal basis for their emphasis on learning and teaching.
Shintoism is an ancient Japanese religion that focuses on worship of kami (spirits or gods). It began around 500 BC and centers around concepts like purity, family, and respect for nature. Key beliefs include that humans are children of the kami without original sin. Followers aim to follow the Ten Precepts of Shinto and visit shrines to commune with kami. Important rituals include New Year festivals, birth ceremonies, and ancestral worship. Shintoism also influences Japanese culture through customs like omamori charms and burial traditions.
Zen Buddhism was introduced to China in the 6th century CE by Bodhidharma, who taught zazen or seated meditation as a path to enlightenment. There are two main sects of Zen Buddhism, Rinzai and Soto, which both emphasize simple monastic living and meditation to improve awareness and mindfulness. Strict rules around daily activities like cooking are meant to keep monks focused on the present moment rather than being taught tasks, exemplifying Zen Buddhist practices.
This document provides an overview of Mahayana Buddhism, including its history, core teachings, beliefs, practices, and related issues. It discusses how Mahayana Buddhism emerged from early Buddhist schools and split into various traditions. Key beliefs include the trikaya doctrine, bodhisattvas postponing enlightenment to help others, and the six paramitas. The document also summarizes China's invasion and occupation of Tibet between 1950-1977, which caused immense suffering and loss of life.
Religions like Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity influenced Asia and allowed for increased communication and trade between countries in ancient times. While different in their beliefs, these religions generally encouraged education, alliances, and economic exchange. Certain religious teachings motivated travel between places to spread ideas and find new allies, bringing different cultures into contact and connection through the spread of spiritual philosophies and trade routes.
Buddhism originated in India over 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gotama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. The key teachings of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths about suffering and its causes and cessation, and the Eightfold Path to end suffering. Buddhism spread from India and has divided into three main branches - Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Buddhism has had a significant influence in many Asian countries through its teachings, monastic communities, and architecture such as pagodas and temples. Modern Buddhism has adapted to different cultures while maintaining the core philosophical beliefs.
The Buddhist Society of Pittsburgh is an inter-Buddhist community that includes various Buddhist centers and groups in the Pittsburgh area. It aims to promote Buddhist wisdom and teachings in Greater Pittsburgh. The document provides contact information for several local Buddhist organizations, including the Bodhichitta Foundation Sangha, the Buddhist Meditation Center of Pittsburgh, City Dharma, Dzogchen Sangha of Pittsburgh, and others that represent different Buddhist traditions such as Theravada, Tibetan, and Zen.
Christianity has a relatively short but influential history in Korea. It was first introduced in the late 16th century through contact with Chinese Catholics and missionaries, but faced heavy persecution in the 17th-18th centuries. Protestantism arrived in the late 19th century and both forms grew rapidly in the 20th century, with over 30% of Koreans now identifying as Christian. Korean Christianity differs from Western forms through its large megachurches and strong Presbyterian influence. It has contributed greatly to Korean society through education, healthcare, and social reform.
This document provides an interview summary of Kyozan Joshu Sasaki Roshi, a 100-year-old Rinzai Zen Buddhist master. Some key points:
- Roshi has been teaching Zen Buddhism in the US for over 45 years, founding numerous centers and ordaining over 25 priests. He still actively teaches despite his age.
- He challenges Western notions of individualism and attachment to culture/politics, arguing this prevents enlightenment.
- Roshi believes enlightenment cannot be fully achieved or described, and that both enlightened and unenlightened states are necessary for living fully.
- When asked about God, he states true love manifests both the perfect ego and God
1) The Buddhist Society of Pittsburgh (BSP) is an inter-Buddhist community that includes various Buddhist traditions and groups in the area.
2) BSP holds an annual Vesak celebration where different Buddhist groups come together to honor the Buddha's teachings.
3) This year's Vesak theme is "Touching the Earth" as a symbol of the Buddha's awakening, with the Earth as his witness during this time of climate change.
Buddhist monasticism – study of 3 regionsSatyam Rai
Buddhist Monks – from the 6th Century BC
Buddhism - Its Beginning
Monastery Life
Tibetan Monks – Buddhist Monasticism
South East Asian Monks – Buddhist Monasticism
Certain religious beliefs
This document provides an overview of Buddhism, including:
- Buddhism was founded in the 6th century BCE by Siddhartha Gautama and is one of the largest religions in the world with over 500 million followers.
- Core Buddhist beliefs include the Four Noble Truths about suffering and its cessation, impermanence, and non-self. Followers seek enlightenment and liberation from suffering by following the Eightfold Path.
- There are several branches of Buddhism including Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana, and Zen. Sacred texts include Tipitaka and various sutras, and symbols represent core concepts like the Dharma wheel.
- Important sites include those
1) Siddhartha Gautama was born into a royal family in Nepal but sought a spiritual path outside the palace after seeing suffering in the world.
2) He achieved enlightenment under a pipal tree and began teaching the Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path, emphasizing meditation to end craving and reach nirvana.
3) Buddhism spread across Asia with the support of King Ashoka in India and merchants/missionaries along trade routes, developing into Theravada and Mahayana branches.
1) Siddhartha Gautama was the founder of Buddhism who lived in ancient India in the 6th century BCE.
2) After experiencing suffering in the world, Gautama left his family to seek enlightenment and lived as an ascetic. Under a fig tree, he achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha.
3) Buddhism teaches the Four Noble Truths of suffering and its cessation through the Eightfold Path. The goal is to end the cycle of rebirth and achieve nirvana by extinguishing desires.
This document provides an overview and summary of key passages from the book "The Art of Living" by Venerable Master Chin Kung. It discusses the original teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni and how they teach us to recognize our thoughts and environment. It then summarizes the four main types of Buddhism that exist today - authentic, religious, philosophical, and deviant. Several passages from the book are then highlighted, discussing topics like cultivating purity of mind, the different Buddhist schools, and the importance of filial piety. The document serves to introduce readers to some of the central concepts and teachings contained within Venerable Master Chin Kung's book.
This document provides information about a book titled "What Buddhists Believe" by K Sri Dhammananda. It is being republished to commemorate the author's 50 years of Buddhist missionary work in Malaysia and Singapore. Some key details:
- The book was first published in 1962 and has since been revised and expanded. It aims to clearly explain Buddhist teachings in simple English.
- It has proven effective in helping many readers understand Buddhism who find more academic texts difficult. Over the years it has helped educate English-speaking people on Buddhism.
- This new expanded 4th edition is being published by the Buddhist Missionary Society Malaysia and another organization to honor the author and support continuing to spread the Buddha's
The document discusses the future of Buddhism from various perspectives. It argues that if Buddhist youth immerse themselves in Buddhism and purify themselves through moral discipline and meditation, they can help ensure Buddhism has a bright future and allows all beings to find peace and happiness. The document also emphasizes using wisdom and compassion to benefit others in accordance with Buddhist teachings.
My assignment at university under the subject comparative religion. I have interviewed monk at pagoda( wat ) in Battambang City of Cambodia.
Questions were set up in order to reveal how Buddhism educate people, the origination, essence and extinction.
The document discusses several key branches and concepts in Buddhism. It describes Vajrayana Buddhism as originating in China and emphasizing spiritual attainment through a teacher. Zen Buddhism is defined as focusing on meditation and believing the Buddha resides in every heart. The Four Noble Truths and Noble Eightfold Path are presented as core Buddhist teachings on suffering and the path to enlightenment.
Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan that focuses on nature worship and veneration of kami (spirits). There are several key tenets of Shinto including tradition/family, love of nature, physical cleanliness, and matsuri festivals. Shinto also emphasizes sincerity, benefitting the group, and harmony with nature. It has no single founder or sacred texts, but developed over time in Japan. Shinto plays a role in many Japanese people's lives through rituals at birth, childhood, holidays, and festivals.
Shinto is the indigenous religion of Japan, with approximately 10 million adherents. It focuses on the worship of kami, which are spirits or gods that inhabit nature. There is no single central god, and Shinto places importance on harmony with nature and community. Rituals involve purification to maintain balance. While Shinto is exclusive to Japan, some aspects have blended with Buddhism and influenced traditional Japanese culture. Key religious sites are shrines located in natural settings across the landscape.
The document provides an overview of the City of Dharma Realm, a Buddhist nunnery and education center in West Sacramento, California. It describes the daily chanting practices, educational activities, and goals of propagating Buddhism and facilitating learning. The founder Hsuan Hua established it as part of his mission to spread Buddhism in the West. The nuns are dedicated to education and welcome visitors to learn about their beliefs and practices. Their goal of liberating all beings from suffering through knowledge and enlightenment provides a doctrinal basis for their emphasis on learning and teaching.
Shintoism is an ancient Japanese religion that focuses on worship of kami (spirits or gods). It began around 500 BC and centers around concepts like purity, family, and respect for nature. Key beliefs include that humans are children of the kami without original sin. Followers aim to follow the Ten Precepts of Shinto and visit shrines to commune with kami. Important rituals include New Year festivals, birth ceremonies, and ancestral worship. Shintoism also influences Japanese culture through customs like omamori charms and burial traditions.
Zen Buddhism was introduced to China in the 6th century CE by Bodhidharma, who taught zazen or seated meditation as a path to enlightenment. There are two main sects of Zen Buddhism, Rinzai and Soto, which both emphasize simple monastic living and meditation to improve awareness and mindfulness. Strict rules around daily activities like cooking are meant to keep monks focused on the present moment rather than being taught tasks, exemplifying Zen Buddhist practices.
This document provides an overview of Mahayana Buddhism, including its history, core teachings, beliefs, practices, and related issues. It discusses how Mahayana Buddhism emerged from early Buddhist schools and split into various traditions. Key beliefs include the trikaya doctrine, bodhisattvas postponing enlightenment to help others, and the six paramitas. The document also summarizes China's invasion and occupation of Tibet between 1950-1977, which caused immense suffering and loss of life.
Religions like Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity influenced Asia and allowed for increased communication and trade between countries in ancient times. While different in their beliefs, these religions generally encouraged education, alliances, and economic exchange. Certain religious teachings motivated travel between places to spread ideas and find new allies, bringing different cultures into contact and connection through the spread of spiritual philosophies and trade routes.
Buddhism originated in India over 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gotama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. The key teachings of Buddhism are the Four Noble Truths about suffering and its causes and cessation, and the Eightfold Path to end suffering. Buddhism spread from India and has divided into three main branches - Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. Buddhism has had a significant influence in many Asian countries through its teachings, monastic communities, and architecture such as pagodas and temples. Modern Buddhism has adapted to different cultures while maintaining the core philosophical beliefs.
Top 10 Most Powerful Religions In The World | Surprise With The Number Of Followers Of Christianity
We all know that money is not everything, and regardless of whether you are a religious or an atheist, you should know that there are many religions in the world and the right thing to do. respect their ideals. Be happy, have fun, help people, and don't be the bad guy. With the above spirit, let's find out the 10 strongest religions in the world.
Baha'u'llah is a Persian man who founded Baha'i religion in the 19th century. Baha'i religion believes in the unity of all religions. Baha'i unites the messengers in the history of religions such as Krishna, Buddha, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed into a religion that fits the needs of the time and the capabilities of the people of that time.
In the early 19th century, a French teacher named Allan Kardec founded animism. Unlike most other religions, Allan Kardec is not a prophet. In fact, spiritualism does not believe in prophecies either. Kardec has written five books on spiritualism, which are based on research and evidence on conversations with the spiritual world. This religion embraces the same values as Christianity, but does not see Jesus as the Son of God.
In addition to the five main religions, Chinese people have some other traditional folk beliefs. More than 200 million people believe the existence of the ancestors’ souls and worship them, while about 700 million have taken part in the activities to worship their ancestors or related activities. About 150 million people believe in Fengshui theory and 140 million people believe in God of Wealth. Chinese Astrology is very popular and many people think the sign can decide one’s characters and future. Thus, it is obvious that the traditional folk belief has a wide foundation among the local people. Now, more and more Chinese people are fond of constellation in western culture. In the beginning of a new year, some people will watch some fortune telling programs to see whether they can succeed in the next year and learn how to avoid back luck.
1. BEIJING – Ming Zhaung is never without a place to sleep, food to eat, or ink for his
brush. The Zen master of the Bailin Temple in Hebei Province is constantly cared for by
his devotees - now more than 1,000 students, most of whom started attending his
lectures last summer.
"I am always traveling to spread the Dharma," says Mr. Ming, who makes a circuit of
homes and meeting places throughout China. "Everything is provided by my students."
As China becomes more wealthy and worldly, it's also experiencing a growing interest in
spirituality. Chinese are emerging with "more time and freedom to think," says Yuan Ci,
a monk who works with the Buddhist Association of China in Beijing. In doing so, they
are helping to revive China's venerable religions, like Buddhism.
In urban areas, China's new Buddhists are young, college-educated, and upwardly
mobile. They are looking not only for purpose in their lives, analysts say, but for a way to
cope with the pressures of modernization and high expectations.
Spirituality is "the peach orchard outside the world," says Gyan Giri, director of the
Mountain Yoga retreat center in Beijing, citing a Chinese saying. "It's finding an Eden or
a utopia where people can lead a better life."
China's market economy, Yang Fenggang, a sociologist at Purdue University in West
Lafayette, Ind., wrote in an academic paper, is "accompanied by widespread moral
corruption, which prompts many individuals to seek a theodicy, or a religious worldview,
to put the seemingly chaotic universe into order."
2. With roughly 100 million followers, Buddhism is the largest religion in China, according to
government statistics. It also is the most favored. Senior officials have been known to
seek Buddhist masters for guidance - and many turn a blind eye when Buddhist masters
disregard laws that prohibit teaching in private settings, something that can result in
punishment for Christian leaders of "home churches."
"Exceptions to the regulations are often made in regard to Buddhism," says Mr. Yang.
"You can buy Buddhist scriptures at public bookstores, but the Christian Bible is not
allowed to be sold. Of course, if you ask for it in sincerity, some bookstore manager
might find a copy for you under a hidden cabinet."
Still, other religions are gaining followers as well. Yoga is attracting more practitioners,
ironically because of its image as a fashionable Western trend. And Protestant
Christianity is the fastest growing religion in China, according to Yang, who notes an
increase of young converts in recent years. Academics estimate that there are 50 to 80
million Protestants in China. Often, Chinese will move back and forth between religions,
according to their needs.
"The Chinese have traditionally been religious opportunists," said Gene Cooper, a
professor in anthropology at the University of Southern California. "But if you've had
success getting your prayers answered at the Daoist Temple, then that's the one you go
back to."
Because of the leeway given to Buddhism, its revival has been more evident. This April,
for example, the Buddhist Association of China, the official supervisory organ, will launch
the first World Buddhist Forum to "find out how Buddhists can take action to make a
peaceful world," says Yuan Ci.
"Unlike Christianity and Falun Gong, which authorities view as 'alien' and intrusive, the
government has adopted a fairly loose reaction to the reemergence of local 'popular'
religion, which is experiencing a renaissance," says Professor Cooper.
To reach his followers, Ming ignores the rules on home teaching. On Sundays, his
students pack a Beijing apartment, sitting cross-legged on the floor to listen to lectures
on Zen philosophy. "In Buddhism, there is destiny," says Fang Fang of how she became
one of Ming Zhuang's students. "One day in 2004, I realized that I must find a teacher in
Buddhism. So I prayed for it. Last year, I met my teacher."
Amelie Yu met her guru in Qinghai Province, and says Buddhism saved her from
suicide. In despair, she had traveled to Qinghai and made a vow to become a Buddhist
just so she could visit Tibetan temples for free. She then planned to kill herself. But while
visiting the Za Er Temple in Qinghai, she had an awakening.
"At first I was impure," she said of her motive for becoming a Buddhist. "But I became
pure. You can't lie to yourself. Now I just want to be a good person and do something for
other people. I want to try to have a better life."
That desire, along with China's new wealth, means more private donations at Buddhist
temples from those looking for "spiritual promotion," says Yuan Ci.
3. "Twenty years ago, if you got one yuan, you'd be very happy," he said. "Five years ago,
maybe 50 yuan. Now if you get a red back [about $12], that's good."
According to the Buddhist Association of China, donations have helped repair 24,000 old
temples that were destroyed during Mao's Cultural Revolution of 1966-76, including
thousands in Tibet, China's most vibrant center of Buddhism. In 1995, there were 13,000
Buddhist temples, according to official statistics.
In Shanghai, 30 Buddhist temples have been renovated in the last five years, mostly
from private donations. Between 1993 and 2003, the Bailin Temple doubled in size due
to financial support from businesspeople. One of Mountain Yoga's retreat centers
outside of Beijing is a 500-year-old Ming Dynasty Temple that has recently been
restored by donations from a medical company. Many of the temples are not yet active
and have been restored largely for their cultural significance.
Money for China's Buddhist revival also flows in from abroad, especially from Hong Kong
and Taiwan. In Taiwan, Buddhist masters have been using donations to restore temples
in their hometowns on the mainland, which they were forced to flee when the Communist
Party came to power in 1949.
Some charge that the influence from Taiwan promotes "religious business enterprises,"
according to Chiang Tsan-teng, a professor of religious studies at Taiwan's National
Tsing-Hua University. People claiming to be Tibetan lamas exploit the popularity of
Buddhism, for example, by selling bogus statues, prayer beads and other religious
artifacts at temples. Chiang calls the trend "department store Buddhism," but adds that
official control over religious activity has stemmed profiteering in the mainland.
However, new wealth in many respects has made the lifestyles of monks more secular.
They carry top of the line cell-phones, drive motor scooters, and in more extreme cases,
lead the lifestyle normally reserved for the wealthy.
The major exception to a more liberal environment for Buddhists is Tibet, where the
religion has been subject to systematic repression since the Dalai Lama fled over the
Himalayas into exile in 1959. Among other things, the government enforces "patriotic
education" in Tibetan temples, which requires monks to reject Tibetan independence
and the Dalai Lama, who the government calls a "splittist."
However, thousands of Tibetans and about 150 mainland Chinese were allowed to
attend teachings in Dharamsala, India, by the Dalai Lama in January. It's believed that
Chinese authorities eased restrictions ahead of secret talks with envoys of the Dalai
Lama, most recently in February.
Yuan Ci believes the government is starting to recognize the role religion could play in
striving to achieve a "harmonious society" - the ideal of an egalitarian and balanced
society that China's leaders espouse. "Religion can take a part in making society
peaceful," he says.