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Lay Buddhism serves as a central figure at the intersection of political and religious power dynamics, alongside the relationships between monastic communities sangha and lay followers. Understanding its evolution provides fundamental insights into the reconstruction of the overall Buddhist landscape in contemporary China.
draws upon historical records and fieldwork to examine the organizational structure, social involvement, and political scope of lay Buddhism over the past century. In the first half of the twentieth century, new intellectual and economic elite Buddhists embraced a fresh approach to mobilization, considering their contributions to building modern Chinese states and societies as acts of merit accumulation.
Post-1949 state corporatist policies med at controlling and leveraging sangha Buddhism resulted in the marginalization of lay Buddhism. This phenomenon persisted even after the 1980s. Amidst ongoing Buddhist revival efforts, lay Buddhism's political leverage for development is significantly less than that of monastic Buddhism. This situation stems from China's post-Mao communist state which consistently eavors to limit religious mobilizations beyond its official frameworks.
However, since the of the twentieth century, diverse new forms of lay Buddhism have emerged in Mnland China under the influence of transnational Buddhist organizations based on overseas Chinese communities. This diversification and global integration of lay Buddhism pose challenges not only for the authority of monastic Buddhism but also for the efficiency of religious policy.
These insights offer a more nuanced understanding of how lay Buddhism navigates complex relationships with state power, while continuing to adapt and transform within its unique cultural context in contemporary China.
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Chinese Lay Buddhism Evolution Overview Political Power Dynamics Intersection Analysis Modern Chinese State and Society Contributions Post 1949 State Corporatist Policies Impact Lay Buddhism Revival Efforts Challenges Transnational Buddhist Organizations Influence Expansion