Primary Exploration Of The Path Of Sinicization Of Religion From The Perspective Of Cultural Identity

Since the 18 th National Congress of the Communist Party of China(CPC),the Party has attached great importance to China’s religious work.General Secretary Xi Jinping once said: “The religious work is always a major issue that our Party must deal with properly when governing the country,because it’s linked to the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics,the Party’s close connection with the people,as well as the social harmony,national unity,national security and natinal reunification.”Based on the in-depth study of Marxist views on religion and the national conditions of China,the Chinese theoretical circle has put forward a scientific concept of “sinicization of religion”.The author has also noticed that President Xi proposed at the religious conference in 2021 that we shall adhere to the sinicization of religion and enhance religious leaders and religious people’s recognition of the great motherland,the Chinese nation,the Chinese culture,the Communist Party of China,and the socialism with Chinese characteristics.The author believes that cultural identity is the most fundamental identity.Promoting the sinicization of religion with cultural identity can effectively enhance the sense of identity of religious groups,which is of great benefit to solving the religious problems in China and promoting the healthy development of religion.The paper first explains the meaning of cultural identity and sinicization of religion.The cultural identity is people’s tendentious consensus and recognition of culture,which contains and embodies people’s common ideals,faiths and value pursuits.In today’s world,the culture has become increasingly diversified,and adhering to Chinese cultural identity is of great significance to both the country and individuals.The “sinicization of religion” is a scientific concept proposed by the Party and the government,with the purpose of properly dealing with religious issues in China.The concept contains three semantic meanings,namely,recognizing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics,adapting to the development of socialism,and combining with the excellent traditional Chinese culture.Secondly,this paper analyzes the theory and practice of sinicization of religion from the perspective of cultural identity.The traditional and sinicized marxist religious view are the theoretical basis of sinicization of religion.Through the historical analysis and realistic investigation of China’s religion,the feasibility and necessity of sinicization of religion from the perspective of cultural identity can be obtained.Thirdly,the paper discusses the path of Chinese religion on the basis of analyzing the theory of cultural identity and grasping its relationship with the sinicization of religion.The cultural identity contains three levels:form,norm and value,which are inextricably linked with the sinicization of religion.Among them,the most important is the significance of cultural identity to promote the sinicization of religion.We should start from the three levels to achieve the sinicization of religion in terms of form,norm and value,namely,sinicization of religious sites,clothing,doctrines,canons,meanings and purposes.During this process,we would enhance religious groups’ sense of belonging and identity to the Chinese nation,the Chinese culture and the socialism with Chinese characteristics,which is the most fundamental and direct way to realize the sinicization of religion.Finally,this paper summarizes the practical function of the research on the sinicization of religion from the perspective of cultural identity.The cultural identity possesses rich spiritual strength.When it is used to promote the sinicization of religion,the religious consensus will be built,the sense of community of the Chinese nation will be solidified,the development of religion be regulated and the social progress be catalyzed.