Chinese Buddhism at the Crossroads in Modern Taiwan.

Abstract

This paper focuses on the new developments of traditional Buddhism itself. Since its arrival in China, Buddhism has undergone continual reform and redefinition and has survived amongst popular religions in the form of various traditions in different ways. The understanding of such Buddhism depended on the tradition that appealed to the majority people in each community in each time. In recent Chinese Buddhist history, monastic Buddhism-the practice of meditation and chanting sutras-seems to become the dominant tradition. However, it was after the civil war in mainland China in 1949 that the Buddhist movement in Taiwan started a new epoch, and this brought a new understanding of Buddhism attracting many supporters. In order to recruit new members effectively and win over the Taiwanese public, this new movement has applied and utilized different administrative and organizational theories, and mass media strategies. Its teaching has focused on the practice of ”Giving”, the first Perfection of the Six Perfections, and identified with it the practice of the bodhisattva path. It is very close to Japanese new religious movement. Similar patterns emerge such as the organizational structure, the appropriation of Buddhist doctrine, the membership categories, the importance of self-cultivation and responsibility, and the teachings on family and filial piety. These themes in Japanese new religious movements which are the main element to distinguish the Buddhism movement in Taiwan from traditional Chinese Buddhism.