Metamorphosis of Buddhism in China’s New Era Between State, Culture, and Religion

<p><b>The metamorphosis of Buddhism synchronizing with alterations in political ideology, rapid <br>economic growth, and evolving societal demands in China’s new era is the focus of this <br>book</b>. It traces the metamorphosis to 2002 when the Communist Party of China declared <br>upholding traditional Chinese culture, including Buddhism, to be essential to its leadership. <br>The chapters offer rich case studies of updated “authentic” Buddhist teachings by clerics <br>and other innovations in temples and nunneries, new lay communities and their practices, <br>and the emergence of Buddhist cultural sites ranging from scenic areas to mega-expos.<br><br>The comprehensive view of Buddhism in China illustrates how Buddhism is going beyond <br>state-imposed boundaries of religious space. With a primary focus on Mahayana Buddhism <br>practiced among Han Chinese, it also considers interactions with Theravada and Tibetan <br>Buddhism, as well as Confucianism, Daoism, and folk beliefs. The eleven contributing <br>scholars—experts in anthropology, history, philosophy, religious studies, and sociology—<br>draw on extensive fieldwork to provide transdisciplinary analyses of the metamorphosis, <br>raising key questions about the dynamics of religious space</p>