Red flag for Buddhists? Shaolin Temple ‘takes the lead’ in Chinese patriotism push
Well-known monastery that trains monks in martial arts criticised for mixing religion with politics after flag-raising ceremony attended by local officials
China’s famed Shaolin Temple this week raised the national flag for the first time in its 1,500-year history as part of a patriotism drive, a move that has been criticised for mixing religion with politics.
The high-profile ceremony took place on Monday at the temple on Mount Song, in central Henan province, as part of a widespread government initiative to instil a love for the nation in the country’s religious institutions.
It was attended by local government officials and followed a proposal last month from state-sanctioned religious groups to raise national flags at all religious venues.
This is the first time a well-known Buddhist organisation has been involved in such a high-profile display of patriotism.
Shaolin Temple, a Zen Buddhist monastery that trains its monks in martial arts, is arguably China’s most prominent symbol of Buddhism.
Its abbot, Shi Yongxin, decided to “actively take the lead” and hold the flag-raising ceremony during a national Buddhist association conference, the temple said in an announcement on its website. Shi is also the vice-president of the state-run Buddhist Association of China.