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Buddhism Inc. in Capitalist China
November 27, 2008 9:42 AM
By Stephanie Sy, Correspondent, ABC News Beijing
When I visited the famed Shaolin Temple in China's Henan Province with my producer a few months ago, I naively hoped to find a mystical place where peace-loving monks solemnly practice their ancient martial arts form beneath the shade of bodhi trees in between doing other monk-like activities, such as prayer and meditation. I have clearly watched one too many Jet Li movies. Who was I kidding? It was a tourist trap. In order to see any kung fu, we had to buy tickets for a performance, which took place in a nondescript, modern auditorium nowhere near the temple.
Afterward, our driver was able to get us onstage to take silly photos with the monk. The driver hinted that he’d prearranged some kickback for this special treatment. I was confused—were they monks or paid performers?
In capitalist China (or maybe anywhere), anything can be bought, and in a country with very little religion, very little is sacred.
So it came as no surprise to me when I read reports in the Chinese press this week that the head abbot of the 1500 year-old temple, Shi Yongxin, has ambitious expansion plans. After all, not everyone can make it to remote Song Mountain in Henan. I was only in the region because my producer begged me to accompany her to watch her personal trainer’s fitness competition (but that’s a whole other blog). Why not have offshoots, or as one critic described it, “franchises,” in other provinces?
“Our management model centers on culture, martial arts, education, charity, and Zen Buddhism,” Shi told the Xinhua news agency.
But few doubt that Shi’s real motive is profit, and the abbot-cum-CEO is drawing fire from Chinese netizens, who increasingly seem to view themselves as guardians of morality (and sometimes vigilantes).
On web portal sohu.com, one post reads, “The holy place of Buddhism is now flooded with the stink of money.”
Another person writes, “Shaolin Temple has always attached importance to profit. From the money and fortune they cheated from tourists we can see that they're already a bunch of robbers cloaked in Buddhism.”
Under abbot Shi, “Shaolin” has become a brand—consisting of modern marketing strategies, international performance tours and online merchandising.
Shi’s supporters say he is taking necessary steps to preserve Shaolin kung fu and culture, but it’s just as likely that Shi is cashing in on the current hype. With popular movies like “Shaolin Soccer,” “Kungfu Hustle” and, more recently, “Kung Fu Panda,” Chinese martial arts have a higher global profile than at any time since Bruce Lee. And China’s first production to hit Broadway, “The Soul of Shalin,” will be on show early next year.
Back on Song Mountain, when we finally reached the actual Shaolin Temple, there was hardly a monk in sight. Our guide told us they no longer use the Temple for kung fu practice or prayer. But for the tourists milling around, the 1,500-year old temple was empty.
Read more blogs from Stephanie Sy
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November 27, 2008 in Stephanie Sy | Permalink | User Comments (4)
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Russia proved communism doesn't work, we proved capitalism doesn't ,maybe we should try something else
Posted by: al | Nov 27, 2008 12:44:34 PM
A sad reality. We wish that after all the gold rush movement is China. People can come back to pure nature; seek for harmony, balance and love. Do more prayer and meditation as many ancient monk did for many thousand years.
Posted by: view.ca | Nov 27, 2008 1:48:55 PM
The monks are learning from the wallstreeters...money is the only goal. "It is glorious to become rich." I hope they get back on the true path of enlightenment before they lose their souls.
Posted by: Watah | Nov 27, 2008 4:00:38 PM
Buddhism puts forward the position that there is no soul. This doctrine is called annatta. It is one of the three signs of being (or the three fundamental characteristics of existence).
Posted by: Rick | Nov 27, 2008 4:53:33 PM
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