Teachings are close to Chinese outlook, says religious official
Buddhism can contribute to healing community divides and help believers deal with major changes in Chinese society, State Administration for Religious Affairs director Ye Xiaowen said yesterday.
Mr Ye was quoted by Xinhua as saying other religions such as Christianity and Islam could also contribute to the building of a harmonious society, but Buddhism, which pursued an idea of harmony that was close to that in the Chinese outlook, could make a 'distinctive contribution'.
'As a responsible country, China has a distinctive thinking and forward-looking policy in promoting world harmony. Religious power is one of the social forces China can draw support from,' he said.
Mr Ye, who is also president of the Religious Culture Communication Association of China (RCCAC), said Buddhism could help believers cope with the fast-changing society, now plagued by a huge wealth gap and increasing social unrest.
'Under globalisation and increasing opening up, China's development cannot proceed without that of the world and China's harmony cannot go without the world's tranquility,' he said.