A Survey of Modern Buddhist Culture in Shanghai

Abstract

Buddhism was the first religious culture to spread to Shanghai. From the perspective of the historical development of Chinese Buddhism, it is difficult to compare Buddhist culture in ancient Shanghai to the prosperity of Buddhism across China. Yet on reaching the modern era, Buddhism saw a decline in many places across the nation, while Shanghai became the economic and cultural center of the modern nation following its metropolitan boom: its unique cultural and geographical environment and many other advantageous factors afforded Buddhist culture in Shanghai a once-in-a-millennium, golden historical opportunity. The rapid increase of Buddhist temples, the emergence of large numbers of lay organizations, the comprehensive development of Buddhist studies and various cultural endeavors, the swift upwelling of a multitude of Buddhist sects, and the expansion of communication channels between Chinese and international Buddhism reflected the remarkable achievements of the Buddhist revival in modern Shanghai, making this the most brilliant chapter in the history of modern Chinese Buddhism.